That’s ok! We’re glad you’re here!

That’s disgusting and despicable.

#ableg #disability #disabilityawareness #disabilityincludion #cdnpoli #disabled #theantiableist #oppressed #marginalized #ucp #ndp Danielle Smith Naheed Nenshi Jason Nixon Marie Renaud @Self Advocacy Federation Disability Action Hall

The most marginalized and oppressed group of people having their voices taken away by a government that has a 4 billion dollar surplus and gave themselves a raise?

It seems to me, that the real reason is that this government doesn’t want people with intellectual disabilities to stand up for themselves or learn about their rights.

Why has the government defunded them? They claim it’s to reallocate funding to frontline services and because they seem to think their advisors do advocacy work.

So, why all of a sudden has the government stopped seeing their value?

For over 20 years, these groups have been instrumental in helping people with disabilities and the government.

They’re a vital lifeline for so many people with disabilities.

These groups are a safe space for people with intellectual disabilities to find community, learn about their rights, learn how to stand up for themselves, find resources they need, find a safe space to share their stories, their struggles.

Not to mention that, through peer to peer mental health support, they help take a strain off of the mental health system.

These groups save the government money that they don’t have to spend to do consultations with the disability community.

These groups cost the government .0057% of their budget. A drop in the bucket.

The Premier’s Council on the Status of Persons With Disabilities and the Disability Advocate, both government appointed bodies who advise the Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services, have gone to these groups for input.

The #alberta government has utilized and seen value in frontline disability advocacy groups since 1998 when Ralph Klein was Premier.