What We Do

Education and Awareness

ACCD is dedicated to educating individuals, organizations, legislators, schools, decision-makers, and employers about disability-related issues. By enhancing awareness of the disability community and the issues it faces, ACCD works to dispel the myths that hinder persons with disabilities from participating fully in society. Education and awareness occur through the following activities:

• Presentations (ongoing and upon request)
• Accessibility assessments
• Consultation
• Information services (newsletters, library, and web site)
• Election campaigns

Some of the activities we’ve undertaken in these areas are described below. Details on the information services can be found under the publications icon. For details on other activities, please contact the ACCD office.

Disability Awareness Presentations: to Schools, Businesses or Groups

Since 1988, our Disability Awareness Presentation Program has given individuals the opportunity to speak candidly with a person who has a disability. This interaction helps to dispel fears and myths about people with disabilities, resulting in greater understanding and support. Each year we speak to hundreds of children, educators, and others. We receive numerous letters of thanks and appreciation. In 2005, we formalized and enhanced the presentation with our ‘Getting to Know Us’ curriculum. The complete text of this curriculum is available under Our Publications/ Project-based Publications. To book a Disability Awareness Presentation contact the ACCD office.

For more information: Disability Awareness Presentations

Edmonton Airport Accessibility Training

Since 1995, ACCD has participated in the training of Edmonton International Airport staff. The two-hour awareness-raising sessions include a video component, a question and answer period, and a presentation on the perspectives of people with disabilities. The training takes place up to six times per year.

Accessibility Audits

Since 1996, ACCD has assessed businesses and public buildings to determine how accessible they are for persons with physical and sensory disabilities. These assessments encourage businesses to make their premises more accessible to persons with disabilities. While most of the assessments have taken place in Edmonton, we have also conducted assessments in Canmore, Red Deer, and communities surrounding Edmonton. To book an Accessibility Audit contact the ACCD office.

For more information: Accessibility Brochure

Non-partisan Political Education

When municipal, provincial or federal elections are called, ACCD focuses on two objectives: educating candidates about issues of concern to people with disabilities and educating people with disabilities about the election process.

ACCD’s Reponse to the Low-income Programs Review

ACCD strives to ensure that government representatives and consumers alike remember that AISH is one of the finest programs of its kind in Canada, and needs to stay that way! We have used our alliance with the Alberta Disabilities Forum to unify the disability voice in Alberta concerning AISH. As ADF's host organization and as active and persistent members of the Low Income Program Review committee, we have helped develop recommendations for enhancing the AISH program.

ACCD also met with members of the AISH review committee and attended forums to discuss AISH. When the review committee submitted its report to Yvonne Fritz, Minister of Seniors and Community Services, eleven recommendations, all of them addressing concerns raised by ACCD and other disability organizations.

Complete Text (Word)

Home Care Issues

In 2002, in partnership with the Alberta Disabilities Forum (ADF), ACCD played a key role in creating a series of five position papers on home care issues. The papers were developed with the input of consumer focus groups, ACCD members, ADF member organizations, and stakeholder groups.

The Health Working Group presented the papers to the Alberta Partnership for Health and at the Home Care and Support Association conference. As well, MLA's and Regional Health Authorities have received and been asked to respond to the papers.

In 2003, ACCD continued its work in the area of home care by playing an integral role in the Canada-wide project: A National Snapshot: Home Support Policies and their Impact on People with Disabilities. The project, a joint venture undertaken by the Council of Canadians with Disabilities and Ryerson University, builds on earlier research that found home support provision can be directly linked to the "health, work and general citizenship participation for people with disabilities."

Complete Text: Position Paper 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 (Adobe pdf); 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 (Word doc)

Monthly Meetings with Government Officials and Political Candidates

When Alberta was choosing a new conservative party leader in 2006, ACCD invited all nine leadership candidates to meet with us to talk about disability issues. After the leadership campaign ended, we continued our commitment to meet with elected officials each month. These meetings are quite informal; we discuss disability issues and get to know one another. These meetings have served us well as we often receive calls from these individuals when disability issues arise.

Library Services

ACCD’s computerized, accessible library has over 1,100 items. These materials include books, journals, budget reports, video and audio cassettes, legislative Acts, and AISH manuals. Individuals can consult the library holdings on-site at the ACCD office.

Web Site

All of ACCD’s publications and projects are posted on our web site. The ACCD web site averages over 400,000 visitors each year. In 2007, ACCD redesigned its web site to enhance accessibility and navigability.