News - Province Wide

Alberta Supports

On December 15, 2010 the Alberta government officially announced the Alberta Supports website and contact centre.  For the first time, Albertans can access information on more than 30 social based assistance programs and more than 100 services by visiting a single website or calling just one phone number.

The Alberta Supports website is online at www.albertasupports.ca, and the contact centre toll-free number is 1-877-644-9992. In Edmonton, call 780-644-9992.

For more information, read the news release at www.seniors.alberta.ca/albertasupports.

Incidence and Prevalence of Spinal Cord Injury in Canada

We are pleased to share with you a new report commissioned by the Rick Hansen Institute estimating the incidence and prevalence of spinal cord injury (SCI) in Canada, a baseline measurement of the extent of SCI in Canada that was previously unknown.

The report, The Incidence and Prevalence of Spinal Cord Injury in Canada: Overview and Estimates Based on Current Evidence, jointly released on December 15, 2010 by the RHI and the Urban Futures Institute, has found that close to 86,000 Canadians are currently living with spinal cord injury; 44,000 of whom are living with SCI as a result of traumatic causes.

The report further notes that of the estimated 4,300 new cases of spinal cord injury that occur in Canada each year, about 1,785 are the result of traumatic injury from causes such as car accidents.

Click here to view the report, press release, and backgrounders on this milestone report about the scope, scale, and impact of SCI in Canada.

2010 Federal Disability Report Released by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada

The report can be accessed in HTML or PDF format on the internet at: http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/disability_issues/reports/fdr/2010/page00.shtml

Print and alternate formats (Large Print, Braille, Audio Cassette, Audio CD, e-Text Diskette, e-Text CD or DAISY) can be ordered by phone, TTY, fax, mail or online.

Phone: 1 800 O Canada (1 800 622 6232)

TTY: 1 800 926 9105.

Fax: 819-953-7260 (long distance charges will apply)

Mail: Publications Services, HRSDC, 140 Promenade du Portage, Phase IV, 12th Floor, Gatineau, QC, K1A 0J9

Online: http://www12.hrsdc.gc.ca

Credit Counselling 

As the only not-for-profit credit counselling agency based in Alberta, Money Mentors offers advice about Credit Counselling, Money Coaching, and Community Education services. Go to www.moneymentors.ca

Victims of Crime and Regulation Consultation
A regulatory review of the Victims of Crime Act and Regulation is being undertaken by the Alberta Solicitor General and Public Safety. Consultations are being scheduled in order to ensure that stakeholders have input during the review process. Read more...

To register http://programs.icdr.com/voc/rsvponline.htm

If you are unable to attend the consultations in person, an on-line survey is available for the public to provide input. https://extranet.gov.ab.ca/opinio6/s?s=8152

 Events and News in Your Community

Calgary:

Calgary 2011 Peer Events

Upcoming events include: Hitmen Hockey, Simple Simon Pies.....

Click here to find out more.

For more information, contact Marilyn Erho at 403-228-3001 or marilyn.erho@cpa-ab.org

Edmonton:

United Way Gifts in Kind has Moved

Now located at 14719 - 112 Avenue, Edmonton
 

New Website Connects Landlords with Non-Profit Organizations
Seeking Space
Go to

Edmonton SpaceFinder

Snow Angels Needed

For some Edmontonians, particularly seniors and persons with disabilities, moving snow can be difficult and even dangerous. They need your help - they need a Snow Angel. Click on the link below to find out how you can be an angel. 

http://www.edmonton.ca/environmental/capital_city_cleanup/snow-angels.aspx

Edmonton 2011 Peer Events

Event information will be posted as it becomes available on the CPA (Alberta) website www.cpa-ab.org and on the CPA (Alberta) Facebook page.

For more information call 780-424-6312.

 RED CARPET AFFAIR 2011 - SAVE THE DATE!

Likely one of the most successful professional actors with a disability in Canada, James Sanders, has been announced as the guest speaker and winner of the 2011 Christopher Reeve Award. 

Click here to find out more.

Personal Attendant Community Education (PACE) Two Day Workshop

The Alberta Spinal Cord Injury Strategy Attendant Care/Home Care Working Group (Working Group) invites all Alberta community organizations that have an interest in learning about Personal Attendant Community Education (PACE) to attend a two-day workshop.  The goal of this workshop is to create awareness around PACE and the benefits of consumer directed training for personal care attendants.   Deadline to register is January 6, 2011. Read more...

Fort McMurray

Fort McMurray Events and Happenings

Activities are underway for CPA (Alberta)'s first Winter Wheelchair Relay taking place in Fort McMurray. Art Erickson appointed to committee on Inclusion, Diversity and Equality Read more...

Grande Prairie

Peer Information Sessions 

CPA (Alberta) Grande Prairie office introduces peer information sessions starting in December.  Read more...

Red Deer

4^th ANNUAL DIAMONDS & DENIM GALA - SAVE THE DATE!

The  CPA (Alberta)'s 4^th annual Diamonds and Denim Gala, is coming up on February 19, 2011 at the Red Deer Lodge.  The Gala features a dinner, dance, live and silent auction with entertainment provided by Danny Hooper and the Honky Tonk Heroes. 

For more information, contact Angie at 780-424-6312, ext. 2246, angie.barron@cpa-ab.org or Tina Croswell at 403-343-1630,tina.croswell@cpa-ab.org      

 Creative Solutions & Ideas

Digital Agenda: Simple Smart Phones and Remote Controls Help Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities to Manage Their Homes
With EUR 2.7 million of EU funding, researchers from the Czech Republic, Germany, Portugal, Spain and Sweden have developed a solution to give seniors and individuals with disabilities easier control over the various electronic appliances and services in their homes using their mobile phone or other devices.  Read more...

Sports / Physical Activity / Wellness

Calling all Volunteers for the Western Canada Sledge Hockey Tournament 

The Paralympic Sports Association (PSA) is hosting the Western Canada Sledge Hockey Tournament this year at the Leduc Recreation Centre from February 25 - 27, 2011. With teams attending from all over Canada and of all skill levels, the competition should be great! Read more...

For those interested in volunteering please contact Suzanne Harrison at suzanne@parasports.net or at 780-439-8687.

Deadline Extended
Para-sports equipment deadline extended to January 12th, 2010

http://www.paralympic.ca/en/Sports/Paralympic-Equipment-Fund.html

Sail Your Own Ship

Sail Your Own Ship is a wellness program offered by the Canadian Paraplegic Association (Alberta) that focuses on teaching skills to individuals with chronic health issues. Workshops have been held in Calgary and Red Deer and more are being planned. Read more...

Get in Motion

Get in Motion is a nation-wide physical activity counseling service for Canadians with spinal cord injury.

This FREE service is designed to provide participants with the information and support they may need to meet personal physical activity goals, or just a little motivation to get started with a physically active lifestyle. 

To participate or receive more information from a physical activity counselor, please call the voicemail line at 1-866-678-1966, or email motion@mcmaster.ca or visit www.sciactioncanada.ca.

 Employment/Education

Viable Calgary Receives Premier's Council Award

CPA (Alberta)'s Mike Hambly presented an award on behalf of the Premier's Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities to "Viable Calgary" for its work in the area of educating employers . 

If you have any employement/education related questions, feel free to contact Mike Hambly in the CPA Calgary office at 403-228-7433 or mike.hambly@cpa-ab.org

 Fund Development

Optimize your support...

Use your Shoppers Optimum Points to support CPA (Alberta)

By donating some (or all) of your Shoppers Points to CPA (Alberta), you are enabling us to use your points toward the purchase of products and supplies we need for our ongoing fundraising activities.

To donate your points, just go online to www.shoppersdrugmart.ca/donate and browse the Shoppers Optimum section. Then click on "donate your points".  What if you're not a Shoppers Optimum Member?  No problem!  All of the necessary forms can be found online as well as in any Shoppers Drug Mart store across Canada. 

With your continued support, this initiative has the potential for us to greatly "optimize" our fundraising dollars.

Become a CPA (Alberta) Member

The Canadian Paraplegic Association (Alberta) has been providing services and support to Albertans who have experienced a spinal cord injury or physical disability since 1961.  Our 50^th anniversary is right around the corner, and your membership continues to be of great importance.

For a list of the many benefits through your $20 membership, click here

Please note that your membership will not be denied due to financial hardship or lack of funds (so let us know on the membership enrollment form if this might be the case). 

Make your voice count... stay informed and connected!

To renew your membership:

CPA (Alberta) Membership Form

Call 780-424-6312 Ext 2241 or toll free 1-888-654-5444 to renew your CPA membership.

Thank you for your support!

 Classifieds / Equipment for Sale

Classifieds

Welcome to the classified section of the Canadian Paraplegic Association (Alberta). Click here.

If you have anything you would like to buy or sell, please click here to e-mail a description of the item, your asking price and your contact information and we willl post your item as quickly as possible.

Submissions/Subscribers/Contact Us

Please let others know about Wheel-E! They can subscribe by emailing or giving us a call.  

CPAAlbertaNewsletter@cpa-ab.org 

(780) 424-6312 or toll-free: 1-888-654-5444

Please give us your thoughts and feedback on our Newsletter. If you have announcements you would like posted, please submit to:

CPAAlbertaNewsletter@cpa-ab.org

The next issue of CPA (Alberta) Wheel-E will be published on February 1, 2011. First deadline for submissions will be on or before January 26, 2011. If possible, please send in your announcements before the deadline!

For more information about CPA (Alberta), visit our website at http://www.cpa-ab.org 

The Canadian Paraplegic Association (Alberta) neither endorses nor guarantees any of the products or services advertised within Wheel-E.