Health policy

Schools get creative in serving preschoolers with special needs

A 3-year-old boy plays with toys as he is evaluated by Julie Patterson, a speech language pathologist, left, Dr. Kristen Warzon, a school psychologist, center, and Tracy Greulich, an early childhood special educator, during an outdoor … READ MORE

Are local shutdowns effective, or should COVID-19 lockdowns be in lockstep provincewide?

Ontario Premier Doug Ford, left, and Education Minister Stephen Lecce, right, on July 30, 2020, before announcing the government’s plan for reopening schools in the fall due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Canadian Press, Nathan … READ MORE

Pandemic pushes parents of kids with special needs to breaking point

Lilian Ansari of Oakland with her husband Saied, daughter Atrina, 11, and son Ardalon, 15, on vacation before the pandemic. Life has become very stressful for the Ansaris since stay-at-home orders began and the children, who … READ MORE

Families, advocates of students with disabilities seek clarity in school reopening plans

Additional funding urged along with comprehensive plans and clear directives. Students with disabilities face extra complications heading back to school in a pandemic, including how to access support services, and parents say more … READ MORE

PSW shortage stranding patients in hospital

Nearly 2 years after minor surgery, Maria Konopeskas just wants to get home. Maria Konopeskas was admitted to hospital for relatively minor surgery in November 2017. She’s still there. Jean Delisle CBC Laurie Fagan, CBC News … READ MORE

Child care after the pandemic should be more inclusive of children with disabilities

When child-care centres reopen, they should consider the needs of children with disabilities. Across Canada, some provinces have either opened or are looking at opening their child-care centres again following pandemic closures. But … READ MORE

Keep an eye on the numbers – COVID-19 in Alberta

As of March 30, there were 964 Albertans in hospital April 1, 2022 Alberta could see record COVID-19 hospitalizations within 14 days, early warning system projections suggest Jan 8, 2022. Omicron has completely changed the pandemic … READ MORE

Pandemic upends the lives of people with disabilities — and of their caregivers

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Stacy Ellingen, 34, of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, lost two of the three caregivers she depends on to dress, shower, eat and use the bathroom. The caregivers — both University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh students … READ MORE

What you need to know about COVID-19 in Alberta – May 2020 Archive

AHS phone line staffed by occupational therapists and physiotherapists. A new advice line set up to help Albertans with physical disabilities and injuries connect with rehabilitation advice during the pandemic is believed to be the … READ MORE

Calgary mother worries some disabled Albertans are being overlooked during pandemic

Alberta’s single site restriction doesn’t apply to health-care aides working in people’s homes. Laverne Bissky and her husband made the decision years ago to take care of their 24-year-old daughter Kasenya Bissky, … READ MORE

Kids with disabilities face health risks and marginalization under COVID-19

COVID-19 has been disruptive to all families, a McMaster University professor says, but the effects of school closures, medical equipment shortages and social distancing are further amplified for families of children with … READ MORE

Disabled people marginalised by paperwork and programmes which aim to help them

Disabled people face being marginalised by the very programmes that are designed to help them. Research shows disabled people face being marginalized by the very programs that are designed to help them. Projects and welfare systems … READ MORE

In Canada, Albertans wary of ‘big brother’ with use of COVID-19 digital-tracing app

More users needed: Lessons from Alberta’s coronavirus contact tracing app. Alberta released its contact tracing app, ABTraceTogether, last week. But early uptake figures and a key design quirk show how challenging it will be for … READ MORE

Staff restrictions, lack of PPE endangering Albertans with disabilities

Help accessing personal protective equipment is on the way, says Alberta Health Services. ‘We feel forgotten’: Disability community overlooked during COVID-19, families say. Government of Alberta says its working with … READ MORE

What you need to know about COVID-19 in Alberta – April 2020 Archive

Beltline urges city to make walking ‘safe and comfortable’ with physical distancing. Beltline residents say walking with physical distancing at peak times is difficult. Helen Pike CBC CBC News Calgary April 30, 2020 ▽ … READ MORE

Malcolm Gladwell has no doubt science will lead us out of pandemic, but worries about ‘the human part’

COVID-19 could be ‘shock to the system’ that leads to social change: author. Author Malcom Gladwell says we don’t all have ‘the same stake’ in the pandemic, and it’s important we recognize the vulnerable … READ MORE

Funding flexibility offered for Alberta children with special needs during COVID-19

Routine changes have been especially challenging for families of children with special needs. Angela Bladon said it’s been a struggle to provide the proper supports to her two special needs children since in-school classes were … READ MORE

What you need to know about COVID-19 in Alberta – March 2020 Archive

A man uses a hand sanitizer station at the Eaton Centre amid coronavirus fears spreading in Toronto on Saturday, March 14, 2020. Carlos Osorio, Canadian Press CBC News Calgary March 31, 2020 ▽ Table of Contents Keep an eye on the … READ MORE

It can be very taxing on families: New study reflects unmet needs of Canadian caregivers

1 in 4 Canadians provide care to a family member or friend – StatsCan report. Of those surveyed by Statistics Canada for a report released in January 2020, nearly 70 per cent of caregivers who had received some type of support … READ MORE

New smartphone app gives Albertans access to virtual health care during COVID-19 pandemic

Babylon mobile app allows you to check symptoms, consult with doctors. Using Babylon, an app developed by Telus Health, patients can have one-to-one video consultations with doctors, with the cost of those virtual visits covered by … READ MORE

COVID-19: The latest guidance for Canadians on travel, quarantines and what to do if you have symptoms

‘We’re in this really unstable phase of the pandemic,’ Canadian infectious disease expert says. As COVID-19 cases continue to rise in Canada, experts are trying to slow the spread and prevent the health-care system … READ MORE

‘It scares me:’ Adults with disabilities still waiting decades for supportive housing

Recent report calls wait list ‘deeply disturbing.’ LeeAnn Poisson, left, sitting beside her daughters Abbey, centre, and Emily, right. Jason Viau CBC Jason Viau, CBC News Windsor August 12, 2019 Parents of adults with … READ MORE

Youth Transitions to Adulthood Conference – May 6-7, 2020

Learn how to transition from youth to adulthood care successfully. University of Calgary researcher Susan Samuel is leading the Transition Navigator Trial to improve the transition of young people from paediatric to adult health care. … READ MORE

Disabled First Nation woman needs all-terrain stroller to get around on reserve

‘She had the biggest smile I’ve ever seen on her.’ Thanks to the success of an online fundraiser, Dee Dee House’s family will be purchasing her the all-terrain stroller she needs to venture outside of her house … READ MORE

Wanted: Accessible homes for Ontarians of all ages and abilities

Accessible homes for Ontarians of all ages and abilities Nearly 2 million Ontarians live with some form of disability that affects their mobility, vision, or hearing — and the country is aging at a faster rate than ever before. That’s why experts are saying we need to embrace universal design

Nearly 2 million Ontarians live with some form of disability that affects their mobility, vision, or hearing — and the country is aging at a faster rate than ever before. That’s why experts are saying we need to embrace universal … READ MORE

Alternate payment model is saving province millions at two Alberta clinics

HQCA studied 10 years’ worth of data at two clinics that offer team-based model of care. A new report by the Health Quality Council of Alberta reveals two Alberta primary care clinics — using an alternative funding model for … READ MORE

Alberta nurses have ‘grave concerns’ with rollout of Connect Care

A new electronic system that will eventually be used across all Alberta Health Services facilities is scheduled to launch at some Edmonton locations at 4 a.m. Sunday. WATCH: Some Edmonton health facilities are bracing for potential … READ MORE

Parents say they can’t afford their disabled children under N.L. health system

Many families don’t qualify for coverage for costly special equipment and respite care. The family of six-year-old Lauren Tucker says they struggle to pay for all the care she needs — and they’re not the only ones. … READ MORE

We should care more about caregivers

Caregivers in Canada need more support It’s time to strengthen support for the 28% of people who provide care for an ageing family member, friend or neighbour in Canada, argues an editorial in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association … READ MORE

Finnish healthcare and social welfare system provides a variety of e-services to citizens

The system presses on towards the next level of usability and interoperability for professionals. THL studies population health and welfare, effectiveness of health and welfare policies and services, environmental health as well as … READ MORE

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