In This Issue
News - Province Wide
Events and News in Your Community
Sports / Physical Activity / Wellness
Research
Fund Development
Classifieds
Contact Us

Wheel-E Youtube Logo


Find us on Facebook  

  


Quick Links

Check out CPA (Alberta) Videos

CPA (Alberta) has over 70 videos on our website, covering a wide variety of topics including housing, parenting, research, wheelchair transfers....and much more. .  

Go to www.cpa-ab.org/odyssey

  

CPA (Alberta) Offices  

Edmonton Head Office

Phone: (780) 424-6312

Calgary

Phone: (403) 228-3001

[email protected]

 

Fort McMurray

Phone: (780) 743-0307

[email protected]

 

Grande Prairie

Phone: (780) 532-3305

Lethbridge

Phone: (403) 327-7577

[email protected]

 

Lloydminster

Phone: (780) 875-1046

[email protected]

 

Medicine Hat

Phone: (403) 504-4001

Red Deer

Phone: (403) 341-5060

[email protected]

 

St. Paul

Phone: (780) 645-5116

Fax: (780) 645-5141

 

West Central Alberta 

Phone: (780) 892-3431


Toll Free Information Line
1-888-654-5444

 www.cpa-ab.org


United Way Member Agency Logo


Dear Wheel-E Newsletter Recipients:
 
Welcome to the March 2013 issue of Wheel-E, the monthly newsletter of the Canadian Paraplegic Association (Alberta). Wheel-E includes information about news and events related to spinal cord injuries and other physical disabilities.

CPA (Alberta) also publishes a quarterly magazine, Spinal Columns, which includes features and regular columns about important issues that individuals with disabilities face today. If you would like to receive Spinal Columns, please get in touch with us at 780-424-6312.

Canada Helps donation logo 

To make an online donation, click here


Inspirational Quote
  
Blue Wheel-E Divider

News - Province Wide 

Blue Wheel-E Divider

 

Join us in Celebrating Possibilities at the 2013 Red Carpet Affair!
The Canadian Paraplegic Association (Alberta) will celebrate its 10th annual Red Carpet Affair on March 15th, 2013 at the Edmonton Expo Centre. This event honors special individuals and organizations that make an outstanding contribution in making Alberta a better place for all people with disabilities.
Join MLA Kent Hehr at the Red Carpet Affair 2013!
Join MLA Kent Hehr at the Red Carpet Affair 2013!

Fundraise Your Way to the Red Carpet Affair 2013
As a new incentive, persons with spinal cord injuries and other physical disabilities now have the ability to fundraise their way onto the Red Carpet. By reaching out to your personal and professional network, you can secure your opportunity to share the spotlight on the Red Carpet. To get started, follow the link http://cpa-ab.akaraisin.com/redcarpetaffair2013 and click on the START FUNDRAISING tab on the red navigation bar.

Discovering the Power in Me
Discovering the Power in Me is a powerful program about discovering the resiliency we all have within. You will have the opportunity to take part in a powerful, shared experience, where you learn to reflect on past attitudes and behaviors and then retrain through positive visualization of goals. Workshops are being held in the following locations:

Grande Prairie 

March 7 and 8, 2013

City on 99th Building

If you have not received a phone call and are interested, please contact the Grande Prairie office at 780-532-3305.

 

Medicine Hat
March 19 and 21st and March 26 and 28th, 2013
Contact Shirley Jago at 403-504-4001 or [email protected]

Drayton Valley
April 13 and 14th, 2013
Contact Allie at Adult Education at 780-542-3373

Calgary
Date, time and location to be announced soon.
For more information, contact Marilyn Erho at 403-228-3001 or [email protected]

Discovering the Power in Me CPA (Alberta) Peer Program
Discovering the Power in Me CPA (Alberta) Peer Program

 

The Spinal Cord Injury Community Survey

The Spinal Cord Injury Community Survey is the largest study of its kind to ever be done in Canada among people with SCI. The primary intent of the SCI Community Survey is to confirm the most important SCI-specific needs of Canadians with SCI. It is also intended to determine how successfully the Canadian health and social services systems are meeting those needs. Ultimately, it will create a clearer picture of where in Canada's support systems there is opportunity to improve so as to truly minimize disability and maximize the quality of life of Canadians with SCI.

 

We are pleased to share preliminary analysis of the data. This participants' report is also the first activity within a comprehensive knowledge translation plan. In addition to academic journal articles, knowledge translation activities include providing data and support to SCI advocacy groups and its Canadian branches to ensure that results from the survey can be used for advocacy, nationally and in provincial jurisdictions.  Find out more at http://rickhanseninstitute.org/en/publications/sci-community-survey


Social Policy Framework Released by Government of Alberta 
To find out more, click here.
 

 



Smart Phone

 
No matter where you live or what you like to do, AbleRoad™ lets you locate, rate and review accessible places! Find nearby restaurants, stores, hotels, groceries, salons, theaters, and more. After you've visited, you can give your own access ratings in the following categories...
 
AbleRoad: An app and website that connects people with accessible places
AbleRoad: An app and website that connects people with accessible places


1) Mobility: Parking, restrooms, paths to entrances, lobby, counters/registers, signage, interior access.

2) Hearing: Captioning, VideoPhone/TTY, ASL staff, noise levels, strobe fire alarms, sensitive staff.

3) Sight: Public transport, announcements, phone information, website accessibility, lighting, Braille information, large print, aisles/navigation, guide dog/service animal.

4) Cognitive: Easy path of travel, oral information, illustrative communication, spaces clearly marked, live phone support, simple door operation, credit card alternatives, readily available assistance, respectful staff, knowledgeable staff, evacuation policies. 

All it takes to submit ratings is a few taps on the screen of your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. You also have the option of submitting text reviews.

Ratings and reviews appear in the app and on the AbleRoad.com website for the entire AbleRoad community in your area to use. Be sure to tell friends, family members and anyone else who is interested in finding and sharing accessible places. 

The app and the AbleRoad.com website were designed to be accessible by low-vision and blind users. More features are coming soon, including versions for other mobile operating systems! - Apple.com
 

Alberta Abilities Lodges Society Survey 

The Alberta Abilities Lodges Society has the goal of developing an accessible lodge in northern Alberta for persons with a disability, caregivers, and seniors. This lodge will be modeled, at least in part, on William Watson Lodge in Kananaskis which has improved the quality-of-life of thousands of visitors each year for over 30 years. While we have justified a northern lodge from the experiences at William Watson Lodge, we must show the degree of support from thousands of individuals and families that will support another facility.

 

We have hundreds of survey completions, but the more responses the better. If you and those you know have not yet completed the survey, copy the web address given below into your web browser and complete the survey as soon as possible. https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/TFWK8TK 

 

Please consider this as an economical and early 2013 gift to those who will benefit from another accessible facility.

 

The survey will take 15-20 minutes of your time. Please think of this as an investment in a very worthy project that will improve the quality of life of seniors and persons with a disability.  

   

Disability Awareness Presentations and Training

ACCD's Disability Awareness and Training Program is a free service to the community to educate about differences, while advocating for acceptance and inclusion.

Click here for more information. 

 

Community Volunteer Income Tax Program     

All taxes will be completed in their office on an appointment only basis during the months of March and April. Please click the link below to register online or email [email protected] for more information http://www.gpvsb.com/career_position/553.aspx 

 

Home Care Self-Referrals    

If you are not currently receiving homecare services, you can self refer  by speaking to an intake worker at 1-855-371-4122  Alberta Health Services - Coordinated Access to Continuing Care North Zone  http://www.albertahealthservices.ca/7624.asp 


Registered Disability Savings Plan

Are you a person with a disability, a family member or a friend of a person with a disability? If so, it is important that you know about the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP).    

 

Supportive Living Models for Young Adults: 

A Review and Proposed Best Practice Models

The purpose of the document, Supportive Living Models for Yong Adults, is to identify best practices in current supportive living options for young adults with physical disabilities in Alberta and beyond. A list of desired features were then incorporated into three potential models of supportive living.   

 

Yellow Wheel-E Divider   
Events and News in Your Community

 

Calgary 

Calgary 2013 Peer Events

Peer event information is posted as it becomes available on the CPA (Alberta) website at www.cpa-ab.org or click here for more information. Peer Event updates can also be found on the CPA (Alberta) Facebook page. For more information, contact Marilyn Erho at 403-228-7434. 

 

Edmonton    

Edmonton 2013 Peer Events

Check out some great peer event activities planned for Edmonton in the coming months. Information is also regularly posted on the CPA (Alberta) Facebook page (become a CPA (Alberta) Facebook fan)!    

Meet and Greets take place on the first Wednesday of every month.

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


Adapted Adventures Program  

The CPA (Alberta) Adapted Adventures Program offers opportunities to participate in recreational activities, such as rock climbing, paddling, hand cycling, scuba diving, trail running with the TrailRider, fishing and cross country skiing. Also look for yoga coming in early 2013!  Adapted Adventures also has weekend trips featuring a variety of activities.We provide quality instruction, adapted equipment and affordable programs to minimize barriers of participation. Subsidies available if necessary. All abilities welcome, as well as family and friends.

 

Cross Country Ski Program - March 11th, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m., Gold Bar Park. 

   

Click here for program brochure. To view the Winter/ Spring 2013 Adapted Adventures newsletter, click here. To find out more about this exciting program, please click here. 
For more information please contact us at [email protected] or 780-424-6312.

PLAN Edmonton: Charting a Path for the Future 

This one-day workshop is ideal for families caring for person with a disability. Topics include: estate planning; Registered Disability Savings Plan; and building a network. Click here for more information!

 

Aboriginal Services 

 

 

Wicihitowin Community Gathering

June 15, 2013, Giovanni Caboto Park

For more information, call 780-809-1927 or [email protected] 

 

Contact Kris Janvier at 780-424-6312 for more information about the CPA (Alberta) Aboriginal Services Program in Edmonton. 

Grande Prairie   

CPA (Alberta) Grande Prairie Peer Information Sessions/Other Activities:

For more information on any upcoming peer events please contact Mieke or Winona at 780-532-3305 or [email protected].     


Discovering the Power in Me Grande Prairie

March 7 and 8, 2013, City on 99th Building

If you have not received a phone call and are interested, please contact the Grande Prairie office at 780-532-3305.

 

Wolverines Wheelchair Sports Association to advertise Peer Events on their Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/WolverinesWheelchairSportsAssociation?ref=ts&fref=ts 

 

Parkinsons Support Group

Meets at 2:00 pm every second Tuesday of the Month at Wild Rose Manor. Parkinsons Voice Enhancement Group Weekly 1 pm every Tuesday at Wild Rose Manor.

Caregivers Support Group 

Monthly: 1st Mon. at 12:30pm at the PAS office (near KFC on 100 St). Parkinsons Disease Education Day: April 9, 2013. For more information contact Sherry at [email protected] 

 

General Information - Grande Prairie 

 

Deep Sea Diving 

Deep sea diving...In a wheelchair? Check it out at http://bit.ly/Vtu9Dw.

 

Accessible Bus Travel in the Grande Prairie Region

A minimum of 48 hours is required to put this in place, recommendation is 5 days notice.  

 

Northern Express   

http://northernexpress.ca/

Accessible buses traveling from High Level to the Clairmont Ramada and over Peace River to Edmonton

- $30.00 one way Fairview - Grande Prairie.

- Departs 1:30pm Dunvegan Inn, Fairview to GP.

- Going north it departs 3:15pm from Clairmont Ramada

 

Disabled Transportation Society  

http://www.gpdts.ca/      

- Will transport people to and from the Clairmont Ramada. Two days notice required to book.  

- Use DTS between Clairmont Ramada and the Greyhound Bus Terminal by the Prairie Mall.

- $15.00 for non-members per trip.  A small discount is possible for round trips.

 

Greyhound

1 800 752 4841 (travel assistance)  

- Must be phoned at least 4 days in advance so the bus is in place;   

- Find out if there is a bus available for the date required.    

- Confirm 48 hours before the date to ensure the bus is still available

- Book ticket through Grande Prairie Terminal: (780) 539-1111


Alan Thomas Fellowship

The Carold Institute is now accepting applications for the Alan Thomas Fellowship, which provides a sabbatical to a leader in the nonprofit/voluntary sector who would not normally have the opportunity. The fellowship, valued at up to $60,000 for one year, is intended to free up the recipient to pursue research and possible publication that makes a contribution to the sector. Applications deadline is March 29, 2012. Got to http://bit.ly/WrjMWo

Medicine Hat

Caregiver Showcase

Caregiver Showcase at the Viener Center March 7, 2013 1:30-3:30.

This is sponsored by the Caregiver Coalition of Southeastern Alberta.

 

Discovering the Power in Me is coming to the Hat!

Being presented by CPA (Alberta) at CORE Association on the afternoons of March 19, 21, 26, and 28. Please call Sue or Shirley at 403-504-4001 for more info.

 

Chair-Leaders

We will be hosting our first annual Chair-Leaders Event on May 4. Stay tuned for more info.

 

CPA (Alberta) Casino Date Set for the Hat!

Mark your calendars, June 14 and 15 is CPA's casino; if you would like to volunteer, call Sue or Shirley at 403-504-4001.

  

Red Deer 

Gym Membership

CPA (Alberta) clients are eligible to receive a one year Gym Membership at the Red Deer College Train Station. Please contact the Red Deer Office for more information at 403-341-5060.  

  

West Central

Sailing With Disabilities Day to Make A Splash this June!

Plans are underway to hold the "Sailing With Disabilities" day at the Wabamun Sailing Club which will likely occur in June.

 

Discovering the Power in Me

A Discovering the Power in Me course is being held in Drayton Valley on the weekend of April 13/14. To register, contact Allie at Adult Education at 780-542-3373.

 Creative Solutions and Ideas

   

App Gives Voice to People with Disabilities

http://bit.ly/JPgkrv 


Interesting Websites 

 

The National Spinal Cord Injury Association

www.spinalcord.org out of the U.S.A. has a number of archived webinars that you may find interesting.  Their next webinar is being held on February 27, called "Cutting Edge Fitness for Wheelchair Users".    

  

Who Says You Cant?

http://www.abletotravel.org/

Sports / Physical Activity / Wellness

Wheelchair Tennis Image 

 

Are We Ready 2013?! 
Adapted Physical Activity, Fitness and Sport Symposium
March 21 - 23, 2013 (early bird registration ends February 15) at the Grande Prairie Regional College and the Eastlink Centre. To find out more, go to http://bit.ly/TgO9wr

Cerebral Palsy Association in Alberta 2013 Program Schedule 
Click here to review full schedule of events.

Research in Adapted Physical Activity: Nothing About Us Without Us! 
Speaker Series Presentation with visiting international speaker, Patrick Flanagan (Lecturer and founder of the APA programme in the Health and Leisure Dept., The Institute of Tralee, Kerry, Ireland). Wednesday, March 6th, 2013, 3:00 - 5:15 p.m., Edmonton Clinic Health Academy (ECHA),  Room 1-498, 11405 - 87 Avenue NW, University of Alberta, www.echa.ualberta.ca

Research

Blue Wheel-E Divider 

 Fund Development

 

Optimize your support...

Shoppers Card

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.

 

 

 

Donate A Car

Donate A Car Canada accepts vehicle donations for the Canadian Paraplegic Association (Alberta). To donate a vehicle to CPA (Alberta), simply fill out the DONATE NOW tab at www.donatecar.ca. Donate A Car Canada will look after everything to make your donation easy. CPA (Alberta) will send you a tax receipt after your car donation is complete!

 

Sponsor Energy Logo 

Use Your Power for Good

50% of profits on your electricity usage each month can help individuals with spinal cord injuries and other physical disabilities!
Click here to find out more.  




 

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.


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!

Yellow Wheel-E Divider 

 
Ongoing Resources
 

 

Cushions Still Available

Thanks to the generosity of MEDIchair (Edmonton location), CPA (Alberta) received a donation of nearly 100 cushions!  Special thanks as well to FI Canada for their assistance with storage of these cushions.

 

All cushions are new or previously trialed and there are a variety of brands and sizes available.CPA (Alberta) neither endorses nor guarantees any of these products and recommends that, in order to prevent any complications that may result from the use of any of these cushions, you contact your medial service provider or seating specialist. Steve Saoberg from MEDIchair, Edmonton location (780-437-3300) may be able to provide assistance with any technical questions.

 

CPA (Alberta) members can 'purchase' one cushion at a cost of $75/cushion to cover shipping and handling. Brand-new, these cushions range in price from $250-$600. For more information on how to obtain a cushion, contact your local CPA (Alberta) Client Services Coordinator. 

 

Get in Motion

Get in Motion is a nation-wide physical activity counseling service for Canadians with spinal cord injuries. 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 [email protected] or visit www.sciactioncanada.ca

 

Adapted Computer Technology Loan Program 

Do you find yourself limited by conventional computer equipment? Are you seeking more independence at home, work, or school? Are you interested in improving your current computer set-up? If so, please inquire about our Adapted Computer Technology Loan Program, which is free of charge.

Please click here for more information. 

 

Online Resource Guide for People with Physical Disabilities

Check out CPA (Alberta)'s online resource guide for people with physical disabilities, which is available on our website. The purpose of this guide is to provide information and resources on housing, attendant care/homecare, and adaptive equipment and devices, all in one central location. If you would like more information, contact Zachary Weeks.

 

Full Serve Gas Stations

If you know of any full serve gas stations not included on our list, or no longer full service, please let us know so that we can update our information. The list provided is a compilation of information provided to us by many individuals. CPA (Alberta) neither endorses nor guarantees that the information is complete or correct.    

 

Yellow Wheel-E Divider 

 Classifieds / Equipment for Sale 

 

Classifieds

 

Welcome to the classified section of the Canadian Paraplegic Association (Alberta). Many new ads have been added this month. Click here to see more ads. 

 

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 will post your item as quickly as possible.

United Way InKind Centre

Distributes goods and resources to qualified charitable organizations.  The InKind Centre is a community initiative of United Way of the Alberta Capital Region.

Yellow Wheel-E Divider
Submissions/Subscribers/Contact Us

 

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

[email protected] 
(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:
[email protected]

 

The next issue of CPA (Alberta) Wheel-E will be published the first week of February, 2013. Deadline for submissions is on or before the 26th of each month. Whenever 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 or on our website.     

Blue Wheel-E Divider  
 
Blue Wheel-E Divider
Gentle Dental Hygiene Ad
Blue Wheel-E Divider
Pipella ad
Canadian Paraplegic Association (Alberta)
#305, 11010 - 101 Street
Edmonton, Alberta T5H 4B9
Toll free #: 1-888-654-5444
 

The Canadian Paraplegic Association (Alberta) is a Registered Charitable Association. 

Charitable Registration # 11883-5016-RR0001.  

To make an online donation, visit: