International Day of Persons with Disabilities

Celebrate the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3, 2014 to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities.

 The UN has gathered information on disabilities which you can read here. The article highlights barriers that people with disabilities face. "These obstacles can take a variety of forms, including those relating to the physical environment, or those resulting from legislation or policy, or from societal attitudes or discrimination."

 I'll be doing my part to remove obstacles by giving two classroom presentations to grade five students on Autism Spectrum Disorders at St. Pat's school.

Popular posts from this blog

Free Online Autism Information Session

Alberta Health Services is offering an online session called, "Supporting and thriving with your loved ones affected by Asperger's Syndrome". This is the description: Adam has personal experience of living with a sibling diagnosed with Asperger's that he uses to guide others in understanding Asperger's and some commonly associated conditions. This will aid you in taking more informed care of the person with Asperger's in your life. Combining personal experience and training, Adam will explore how narrative approaches can help you connect to someone with this diagnosis. In addition, the personal impact on the caregiver will be discussed, including ideas for self-care. The course is available until June 10, 2016 at 11:00am.  Registration information available here.
Read more

Improved Efficiency?

Another government agency has changed its policy to be more efficient. An  AISH  client can no longer email their worker. For example, instead of forwarding an appointment confirmation email from my specialist in Calgary, I now have to print it off and hand deliver it to the AISH office downtown. This adds many layers of cost: paper and ink travel my time to deliver another level of AISH administration Unfortunately arriving at the office does not simplify the process. Or personalize it.  Previously  I wrote about ways staff can humanize the experience of needing to access support services. As I was waiting for an appointment, a man went to the counter and asked to see his worker. PAD (person at desk): She isn't available. You can see the walk in worker. Man: When will my worker be available? PAD: I don't know. You need to make an appointment to see her. You can see the walk in worker. Man: How do I make an appointment? PAD: She makes her own appointments. You'
Read more