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Self-advocacy conference receives government grant

Feb 23, 2018 | 10:36 AM

LETHBRIDGE – A local organization that works with people with developmental disabilities is receiving funding from the province for its upcoming self-advocacy conference.

“Weaving your own path” is the theme for the conference, which is being held at the Sandman Hotel in Lethbridge May 29-30. Mark Davids, executive director of the Southern Alberta Individualized Planning Association (SAIPA), said it’s about giving people tools to help them become more independent.

“The idea that we work under here is to work ourselves out of a job,” Davids explained Friday, Feb. 23. “So, to provide the individuals we serve with the tools they need to be their own self-advocates, to be able to have their own voice, to be able to contribute to the community in the way that they feel that they have the best tools and the best means to do.”

He added that people at the conference will hear from national, regional, and local speakers who will illustrate the examples set by others. He also said SAIPA is helping give individuals a voice during a government review of its PDD (people with developmental disabilities) program.

Lethbridge West MLA Shannon Phillips presented SAIPA with a cheque for $12,101. She said it will help create a more inclusive society.

“We know that we have more work to do, making sure that we’ve got the right supports in place for all Albertans to live life to the fullest. Organizations like this, for many years, have supported those efforts and supported those people who live in this city and surrounding areas, and supported their families to make sure that everyone can live independently.”

The grant is from the Community Initiatives Program, which reinvests lottery revenue.