News - Province Wide

Snow, Ice, Cold Weather - How are You Coping with Alberta's Winter?
This winter is proving to be a challenge for everyone, but particularly for those of us with disabilities. Getting to work, to appointments, grocery shopping....it's not easy! How are you coping? What are you doing to help you cope? Do you have any suggestions, contacts that might be helpful to others. We'd love to hear from you. Click here to send your comments.

The Canadian Mental Health Association has some good suggestions about dealing with stress - click here.
Potential Resources: 

• 311 - Dial 311 for information on city services and programs in Edmonton and Calgary
• Snow Angel (Edmonton)
• DATS (Disabled Adult Transportation Service) - Edmonton
• Handibus - Calgary
• Meals on Wheels
• The Good Food Box (Edmonton) - primarily produce delivery
   
• The Good Food Box (Calgary) - primarily produce delivery
• www.sunterramarket.com - grocery delivery in Edmonton and Calgary

Full Serve Gas Stations
If you know of any full serve gas stations that are not included on our list, please let us know and we will be sure to add the information to our growing list.

Enhancements to Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP)
On March 4, 2010, the Government of Canada, through its Budget 2010, announced two enhancements to the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP), grant and bond. Legislation to enact these changes received Royal Assent on December 15, 2010. The 'carry forward' and 'roll over' provisions will provide Canadians with disabilities and their families with more flexibility when saving for the future. Click here for more information.

For more information about the RDSP, grant and bond, please visit www.disabilitysavings.gc.ca or call 1 800 O-Canada (1 800-622-6232). TTY users may call 1-800-926-9105. A detailed brochure - available in alternate formats such as large print, Braille, audio cassette, CD, DAISY, and computer diskette - is also available by calling these numbers. To make an inquiry by e-mail, please send your message to rdsp-orgs-reei@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca

Would You Like to Network with Great People, Attend Great Events, Support a Great Cause, Make a Positive Impact in Your Community?
The Canadian Paraplegic Association (Alberta) is currently recruiting volunteers to help sell raffle tickets at various events throughout Alberta.  Volunteers must be over 18 years of age and provide their own transportation to and from events.  For more information please call Angie or Zachary at 780-424-6312.

A Celebration of Accessibility

A short film on the importance of parking spots reserved for people with disabilities - produced in Quebec. Click here.

Human Rights in the Workplace Public Workshops

These workshops are full-day sessions that will provide an overview of Alberta's human rights legislation, in addition to covering three main topics:

• Respectful and Inclusive Workplaces,
• Preventing Harassment in the Workplace, and
• Duty to Accommodate

Prime Minister Volunteer Awards

On Friday January 7, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced the creation of The Prime Minister's Awards for Volunteerism that will recognize achievement in the areas of community leadership, business leadership in corporate social responsibility, and social innovation. Details on the award are available through the official press release.

  Events and News in Your Community

Calgary:

Calgary 2011 Peer Events

Click here to find out more.

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

Calling all Golfers! Calgary Charity Golf Classic

Click here for more information.
 



Motivational Speaker Alvin Law appearing at the Alberta Children's Hospital in Calgary on February 5th, 2011
Fifty years ago Alvin Law was a baby with no arms, born to a mother who took Thalidomide. Today, not only is he a successful motivational speak but he is also an accomplished musician.

The incredible story of Law's struggle will comprise a workshop called Alvin's Laws of Life: 5 Steps to Successfully Overcoming Anything. To register, call 403-944-2260 or go online to: www.womenshealthcentre.ca or www.alvinlaw.com.

Edmonton:
 

Edmonton 2011 Peer Events

Did You Know There are Tax Benefits for People with Disabilities?
Ron Quinn, Canada Revenue Agency will be guest speaker at the upcoming peer event on February 22, 2011.

For more information call Brian McPherson at 780-424-6312, ext. 2241.
 

 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.

Fort McMurray

Wood Buffalo Community Village becomes more accessible.

Read more.

 
Grande Prairie
Peer Information Sessions  

CPA (Alberta) Grande Prairie peer information sessions continuing.  Check here for dates and more information.

Red Deer

4^th ANNUAL DIAMONDS & DENIM GALA - only two weeks left to buy your ticket!

In just two weeks (February 19th) CPA (Alberta) will be hosting its 4^th annual Diamonds and Denim Gala in Red Deer. The Gala features a dinner, dance, and 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      
  

Calling all Golfers - Red Deer Golf Classic

 Creative Solutions & Ideas

Disabled OnLine

www.disabledonline.com was developed by Jay Cohen who is himself disabled because of Muscular Dystrophy.  Disabled Online includes topics and resources involving people with disabilities, their family and friends. Includes networking opportunities, a Disabled Online Store as well as a Disabled Online Link Directory which allows you to research other sites that provide services and opportunities for people with disabilities.

Sports / Physical Activity / Wellness

Offered through the Mount Royal Recreation facility in Calgary. Click here for poster. For more information contact sstranaghan@mtroyal.ca or call 403-440-6631.  
 

Healthcare on the Cover of Alberta Government E-Newsletter.

Click here

Calling all Volunteers - 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.

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

New Employability and Disability Website

Britain Universities have just completed an 'Employability and Disability' web resource called 'usemyability' www.usemyability.org.  The free to use resource offers practical advice for students with disabilities in order to overcome barriers in education. 

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 available 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). This month includes new ads for vehicles for sale. 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 March 1, 2011. First deadline for submissions will be on or before February 24th, 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 in Wheel-E.