Public health

Child care after the pandemic should be more inclusive 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 all families do not have the same opportunity to participate in early childhood education and … READ MORE

COVID-19 puts disability tax credit reform on back burner

Advocates worry companies still allowed to charge ‘astronomical’ fees to help tax credit applicants. The Canada Revenue Agency is being urged to take action to limit the amount companies can charge when helping people … READ MORE

Disability advocates call on DATS to reverse ‘discriminatory’ changes to service

Online booking tool closed and recurring rides suspended during pandemic. DATS introduced changes to service intended to help prevent the spread of the virus and manage ridership during the COVID-19 pandemic. But disability advocates … READ MORE

UBC Okanagan research shows strength training is effective

Physical exercise may not be top of mind for older adults during the COVID-19 outbreak. But according to one UBC Okanagan researcher, strength training can be an effective way to stay healthy while at home. Jennifer Jakobi, professor … READ MORE

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

Here are the latest COVID-19 statistics for Alberta — and what they mean. Learning how the coronavirus affects the body offers clues to fight COVID-19. A better understanding of how COVID-19 manifests could inform efforts to reduce … 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

Keep your bones strong at every age

Falling may be painful, especially if the landing is less than graceful. Even a few steps out the front door can carry with them the risk of falling. After fifty years. Amsterdam, Netherlands 28 September 2016 Wikimedia Commons CC0 … READ MORE

I’m scared: parents of children with disability struggle to get the basics during coronavirus

COVID-19 has had a significant impact on all Australians, but there are very good reasons why the impact might be more keenly felt by people with disability and their carers. More than isolated: The experience of children and young … READ MORE

A wonderful opportunity: Inclusive playground planned for Clareview community

‘This will, I believe, serve as a destination for many families.’ Shouldice Park in an inclusive playground brought to Calgary, Alberta, Canada by Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities. Landscape Structures Tricia Kindleman, … READ MORE

Do you have a right to protest? The coronavirus impact on freedom of assembly

A group gathers to protest against social isolation rules of the COVID-19 pandemic in Edmonton AB on April 29, 2020. The Canadian Press, Jason Franson Caroline Hodes, Associate Professor Constitutional Law, University of Lethbridge, … READ MORE

No physio, no socializing: Kids with special needs face new challenges during COVID-19

Youth with special needs miss friends but also many services they receive at school. Christopher Craig swims with his son Cameron Armstrong-Craig on a family vacation last summer. Submitted by Christopher Craig Shari Okeke, CBC News … READ MORE

UCP government changes application process for AISH

Applicants must first prove medical condition to determine eligibility. The Alberta government has now prioritized medical criteria ahead of income and asset tests for people who apply for AISH, an income support program for people … READ MORE

More help needed for kids with disabilities who age out of care system, parents say

‘We’ve never felt more alone on this journey,’ says Mark Daprato after his son turned 21. Mark Daprato’s son Deane has a form of cerebral palsy and throughout childhood and adolescence he benefited from many … READ MORE

The military provides health care to its members, but not their families

Many health care providers are unaware that military families are divided in the way they access health care—that is to say, each family is divided. Caring for Military Families in the Patient’s Medical Home, PDF © The College of … 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

Cases of children with rare inflammatory syndrome spike in Italy and France

Doctors in France and northern Italy, one of the areas hardest hit by the new coronavirus, have reported spikes in cases of a rare inflammatory syndrome in young children that appears similar to one reported in the United States, … READ MORE

Walking slower and pausing for rest may enable older adults to maintain outdoor mobility

When functional ability declines, changing the way of walking by, for instance, walking slower, pausing for rest or using walking aids, can facilitate older adults’ outdoor mobility. These were the findings of a study conducted at … 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

Canadians with disabilities left with few alternatives amid COVID-19 shutdowns

Program cancellations, increased isolation among issues during pandemic. The Active Souls Project, a gym facility in Kitchener, Ontario, offers adaptive training for people with disabilities. The program was forced to close because of … READ MORE

Injunction stops hundreds of young adults from losing benefits as they transition from care

Young mother challenged amendment set to take effect April 1. Edmonton mother sues province over cuts to program helping young adults like her transition out of care. An Edmonton woman will be cut off early from government supports … READ MORE

Home schooling during pandemic a daunting challenge for families of kids with disabilities

Schools need a closer connection to children with special needs during closures. The Richmond family, left to right: Hayley, Jake, Phil and Harry. Jake and Harry have a rare genetic condition with a variety of complex special needs. … READ MORE

Switch Control changed my world

I can’t tell you how thrilled I was to independently send my wife a text for the first time. Meet Todd Stabelfeldt. He’s been using Tecla since February 2014. We asked Todd to share with us his thoughts since introducing Tecla … 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

1 2 3 … 14 »