Public health

Bill C-81: What’s next?

On June 20, 2018, the Government introduced Bill C-81, an Act to ensure a barrier-free Canada (the Accessible Canada Act) in Parliament. The Accessible Canada Act received Royal Assent on June 21, 2019, and came into force on July 11, … READ MORE

Why getting more people with disabilities developing technology is good for everyone

Accessible technology is better for everyone, and accessible technology benefits when the people who rely on it most help build it. Parapan Athlete Tiana Knight demonstrates Blindsquare, an iPhone app that helps blind people by … READ MORE

Educators raise safety concerns about special needs students being back in the classroom

But parents say their kids need the support. By Olivia Bowden Staff Reporter, Toronto Star January 18, 2021 While the rest of the province is hunkering down under new, stricter stay-at-home orders, Jim Rossiter is his usual place — … READ MORE

Paralympics haven’t decreased barriers to physical activity for most people with disabilities

Tokyo 2020: how the Paralympics have evolved from rehabilitation to spectacle. Shaped by evolving societal attitudes towards physical and mental impairment, the Paralympics have gone from championing rehabilitation to being the second … READ MORE

Learning disability, Down syndrome, Cerebral palsy tied to COVID-19 mortality

People with learning disability, Down’s syndrome and cerebral palsy have a higher risk of hospitalization and death from COVID-19 than individuals without these conditions, a recent study suggests. How to help children with … READ MORE

Appeal dismissal puts Alberta young adults transitioning out of government care in limbo

Alberta government says recipients losing benefits are eligible for extension. Lawyer Avnish Nanda says the government is putting hundreds of marginalized young adults at a greater risk by losing the person who most closely resembles … READ MORE

Taking the brain out for a walk

A recent study shows that spending time outdoors has a positive effect on our brains. If you’re regularly out in the fresh air, you’re doing something good for both your brain and your well-being. Emma Simpson, Unsplash … READ MORE

Alberta urged to reconsider cutting off hundreds of young adults from financial support

Province says young Albertans leaving program will be set up with right support. A current and former government employee in Children’s Services say adult programs don’t meet the complex needs of young adults transitioning … READ MORE

For Canadians with disabilities, supports are often too little, too late

Inclusion and equity must be at the forefront of the design of government policies, not an afterthought. On June 5, 2020, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced new federal supports for Canadians with disabilities. For the son of … READ MORE

City of Calgary building 10 new inclusive playgrounds this year

Construction already underway on some sites which will give children of varying abilities space to play. A rendering of the inclusive playground to be built in Elliston Park in southeast Calgary. City of Calgary Scott Dippel, CBC News … READ MORE

Disabled researcher calls for better support for faculty

Academic institutions need to do much more to support faculty members with disabilities and to create an environment in which they can thrive, argues a commentary published May 18 in the journal Trends in Neurosciences. Breaking … READ MORE

Back to basics: Simple exercises are a practical, efficient way to boost fitness

Kinesiologist Marty Gibala is the lead author on research that shows that simple, old-school bodyweight exercises —no special equipment needed — can boost cardiorespiratory fitness. Georgia Kirkosn McMaster University By Michelle … READ MORE

Netflix’s ‘Crip Camp’ is one of the most important films about disability I’ve ever seen

This documentary proves we can tell human stories about disabled people and our lives. And through those stories, we can show both how far we’ve come and where we must go next. “Power, not pity.” Steve Honisgbaum / Netflix … READ MORE

Bursts of exercise can lead to significant improvements in indicators of metabolic health

Short bursts of physical exercise induce changes in the body’s levels of metabolites that correlate to, and may help gauge, an individual’s cardiometabolic, cardiovascular and long-term health, a study by Massachusetts General … READ MORE

What’s ahead for people with disabilities in the post-pandemic workplace?

Experts report on employment and vocational rehabilitation considerations for people with disabilities during and after the COVID-19 pandemic across health, work, and education in this special issue of the Journal of Vocational … READ MORE

Exhausting, frustrating journey as mother of a special-needs child chronicled in My Own Blood

My Own Blood chronicles the bureaucratic nightmares associated with a life spent depending on a medical system in an Alberta that Bristowe argues has been rendered threadbare by years of Conservative rule. Ashley Bristowe sits outside … READ MORE

Wordfest Presents Ashley Bristowe

Mothering under normal circumstances takes all you have to give. But what happens when your child is disabled, and sacrificing all you’ve got and more is the only hope for a decent future? No window, no problem. Ed Weibe’s … READ MORE

Clinic providing support for children with disabilities opens in Calgary

SMILE Therapy for Kids offers physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech language pathology for children The ribbon cutting ceremony at SMILE Therapy for Kids Calgary, a multidisciplinary clinic focused on helping kids with … READ MORE

There’s an app for that: How two rural counties reached more kids with developmental delays

A decade ago young children who missed key developmental milestones — like walking or talking — too often fell through the cracks in northern Colorado’s Grand and Jackson counties. British families spend less than an hour of … READ MORE

Study finds digital treatment for osteoarthritis is superior to traditional routine care

Joint Academy’s online treatment effectively addresses growing and costly chronic disease safely during the global pandemic. Example of osteoarthritis exercise using Joint Academy. Joint Academy photo Chelsea … READ MORE

COVID-19 has made education more accessible for university students with mobility disabilities

‘Our access to education should matter,’ said one student. ‘I have to choose between my safety and my education,’ said Concordia University student Alicia-Ann Pauld. Submitted by Alicia-Ann Pauld Gretel Kahn, … READ MORE

Pediatric telemedicine services can work well under the right conditions

Interviews with pediatricians show that providing remote medical consultations is highly stressful and challenging, but this can be managed with extra skills and training. Telemedicine for children with disabilities in remote … READ MORE

Beyond long-term care: The benefits of seniors’ communities that evolve on their own

The global COVID-19 pandemic has shown Canadians that we need to think differently about how we support older adults. The media and all levels of government have focused heavily on long-term care, and rightly so. However, the vast … READ MORE

Equity in access and use of rehabilitation services in Canada

Two Canadians, equal under the law. Only one gets rehabilitation services. What gives? By Nivetha Chandran, rehabinkmag February 4, 2021 To answer this question, we must start by understanding what the Canadian healthcare system is … READ MORE

A national electronic health record for primary care

The Canada Health Act states that health care should be portable — but health records are not. Despite billion-dollar efforts to promote information transfers between jurisdictions,[1] sharing health information today often requires … READ MORE

Inclusive design benefits everyone, not just people with disabilities

Luke Anderson has thought a lot about designing accessible spaces. And he’s come to an important conclusion. Luke Anderson wants us to reconsider the importance of design. Photo courtesy of Luke Anderson Tapestry, CBC … READ MORE

Caring for children and youth with special health care needs during the COVID-19 pandemic

As COVID-19 continues to spread, children and youth with special health care needs may be at increased risk for complications. This includes children with chronic conditions, disabilities, and those with medically complex conditions. … READ MORE

Government-run homes for disabled Albertans will not be privatized

Families express relief and joy at decision to maintain status quo. Brenda Waluk holds the hand of her granddaughter Taelyr in the back garden of Rosecrest Home in Edmonton during a visit last summer. Trevor Wilson CBC Michelle … READ MORE

How people with Type 2 diabetes can get the benefits of exercise while reducing the risks

Researchers recommend three simple steps to start an exercise routine while reducing the risk of low blood sugar. By planning ahead, choosing appropriate activities and setting achievable goals, people with Type 2 diabetes can improve … READ MORE

Capital funding of health care in Canada is critical, yet declined in last 20 years

Capital funding of health care, used to build new hospitals, redesign or upgrade existing facilities and invest in new technologies, has declined in Canada over the last 20 years, according to an analysis in CMAJ Canadian Medical … READ MORE

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