Congratulations to World Energy Management Systems, and Thank You For Your Support of PASC

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Progressive Alternatives is very proud to announce a new corporate donor. World Energy Management System (WEMS) is a brand new company in Calgary with an exciting new and innovative  idea and product. WEMS is a software based system that will track, manage and verify any certifications required in the Oil & Gas, Mining, Construction, Food and Health Care industry saving time and money. The corporate sector in Calgary and Alberta is rightly famous for its generosity with the not for profit sector. It is rare, however, for a company to start out with a significant commitment to philanthropy. WEMS has done just that, pledging an annual contribution to Progressive Alternatives and two other Calgary charitable groups before they even open their doors. The board, staff and membership of PASC want to sincerely thank WEMS and its Chief Executive Officer, Kevin Robert, for their support. We encourage you to explore WEMS website at www.wemsystems.com and support them in return.

Remembering the Institutional Past of People with Developmental Disabilities

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CBC Radio One recently broadcast an excellent, but depressing, documentary on the experiences of people who had lived in a large institution in Orillia, Ontario, called Huronia Regional Centre. You can listen to it in their archives here. Some of those people are now participating in a class action lawsuit. There were similar institutions across Canada. Their closure, and the move to community living, was a hard won battle, fought by the people themselves, their families and advocates. The stories told are only a few decades old – not that long in the big scheme of things. It is important to remember this history and to appreciate and preserve the gains that have been made since.

Input on Alberta Provincial Budget

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There is an opportunity to provide some input as citizens and taxpayers to the priorities in Alberta’s budget. Here is a link to the online survey: http://budgetdialogue.alberta.ca/

At Progressive Alternatives Society, we are, of course, concerned that the issues of persons with disabilities and the non profit sector are considered in these priorities. Here is a link to a statement by Premier Redford about the non profit sector on the website of CCVO, the Calgary Council of Voluntary Organizations:

http://www.calgarycvo.org/news/alison-redford-promises-changes-benefit-the-nonprofit-sector

 

 

 

Inflation eating into AISH payments, says researcher

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“They’re running into the danger again of allowing inflation to reduce the value of these payments. There’s really no excuse for that. It’s a simple fix.”

Cheryl Chichak, a spokeswoman for Alberta Seniors and Community Supports, said the province has no plans to tie AISH to inflation.

“There isn’t a different price for food if you’re disabled, or for cable or phone,” said Bill Forman Progressive Alternatives Society of Calgary

US Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, & Pensions: Hearings

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Here is a video of hearings at the US Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions about employment and people with disabilities. There is some GREAT testimony about transition to full inclusion in employment and transition of sheltered workshops. Long hearing but worth going through via Tyler Hnatuk.

US Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, & Pensions: Hearings – Hearing