This document summarizes the growth and impact of the self-advocacy movement in Alberta over 10 years from 1999-2009. It describes the founding of early advocacy groups like People First and how leadership training programs empowered over 1000 individuals. Regional networks were established that supported the development of over a dozen local self-advocacy groups across Alberta. These groups have raised awareness, advocated for accessibility and rights, fundraised for important causes, and empowered individuals to live more independently. The self-advocacy movement has made a significant difference in communities across Alberta.

1. 10 Years of the AlbertaSelf-Advocacy Movement in the Making…1999-2009Report from the Self-Advocacy Summit Group

2. The self-advocacy movement‘We need to build bonds or connections between us.’-Self-advocate at Summit Planning Session in Calgary, February 7, 2002

3. Just a few outcomes of self-advocacy in Alberta…6,000 Calgarians living on a low income each month can afford to take the bus.

4. Citizens of Red Deer can cross a busy road safely.

5. People with low English literacy can read reports, rules and rights in plain language.

6. Thousands of dollars are raised each year for causes like breast cancer, disaster relief, food banks and Big Sisters & Brothers

7. Disability Culture is more than bowling; it is art, film making, story telling and pride parades.How did it happen? It’s a group thing!

8. It started with People FirstThe first People First group in Alberta started in 1978 in EdmontonPeople First is an international movement of people who have been labeled People First groups are all over; Canada has a national group, provincial groups and local groupsMembers have fun together, organize and interact in the community, discuss challenges and how to resolve them, work to close institutions, stand up for their rights and go for their dreamsProfileBarb OseemeemowBarb was the President of People First in Bonneville and has sat on many boardsShe sits on the Self-Advocacy Federation (SAF) Steering Committee in Edmonton where she is involved in films and presentations; Her art is on the SAF business cardsBarb is a writer, artist, singer and stand-up comicShe owns her own cleaning business and lives on her own

9. Leadership Today opened eyesBetween 1998 and 2009 Leadership Today taught ~60 Leadership Training (LT) courses to more than 1000 people~25 Train-the-Trainer courses to more than 200 LT graduates~15 Inclusive Board workshops to community board members~12 Supporting Self-Advocacy and 12 Partners in Advocacy workshops to support workers and supervisorsPiloted a new workshop on How Government WorksSelf-Advocates co-taught all the workshops, Leadership Training and public presentationsLeadership Today made graduates think about their place in the worldProfileDerrick SeabrookDerrick is an active public speaker educating the community about his disability He writes letters to government and is a great leader, networker, canvasser, mentor and role model, and member of the Self-Advocacy FederationDerrick meets everyone as a parking attendant at his churchHe has found work at Boston Pizza, Rocky Bar Ranch and doing Quality of Life surveys

10. PDD Regions support self-advocacyCentral Alberta Advocacy NetworkCAAN started in February 2002 for self-advocates across the region to share experiences and increase their skills and self-confidenceMembers have grown into confident self-advocates, know rights and responsibilities, mentor the next generation by sharing experiences and helping others learn by having the freedom to make mistakesMembers put on workshops andannual retreatsProfileBernadineHansenBernadine is the2009 CAAN Self-Advocate of the Year

11. She inspires peers by speaking about how to be all-star self-advocates by mastering self-confidence, communication and learning, and shares her successes and stories of overcoming challenges

12. Bernadine made the decision to move out by herselfGroups take time to organizeSouth Region Self-Advocacy Network (SRSAN)SRSAN began in 2001 and is a regional network of self-advocates and allies. SRSAN’s mission is “We teach people with disabilities to advocate on behalf of themselves and others. We are a united voice, which promotes equality, opportunities, and inclusion for us by educating the community about our dreams and what we can achieve.”SRSAN has 96 paid members, 5 regional meetings per year, a yearly conference of self-advocates from all over the region, gives out the Clarence Marsh Memorial Award to a self-advocate and has a quarter newsletter called “The Ripple.”In 2008, SRSAN held their first retreat and four committees were developed:Membership Committee – increase membership, expand the website, build a membership directoryDeveloping Workshops Committee – develop a workshop for staff on the importance of self-advocacy and how to support it, which will be taught by self-advocates. Teaching Community Committee – developed a PowerPoint presentation and an “I am a Citizen” DVDSocial Events Committee – Fundraising barbecues, community displays, Citizen Walk AboutOn June 5th, 2009, SRSAN held its first Walk and Roll for Self-Advocacy and a second awareness walk called “A Citizen Walk About” in June 2010.

13. Groups lead to more groupsRegional self-advocacy groups support and spark interest in developing local self-advocacy groups. SRSAN inspired these South Region groups.DYNAMIThree individuals from the Taber Needs Society went to a SRSAN meeting and were inspired to form their own group

14. In April 2006, the first newsletter was put in with everyone’s pay

15. Dynami is Greek for strength; strength to help, to be heard, and to make a difference; Dynami members meet, volunteer and raise fundsCORE MastersCORE Masters members talk to government, speak out for and learn about rights and decision making

16. Self-advocacy has empowered members to find jobs, be more independent, eliminate harassment and increase safetyGroups get the word outSelf-Advocacy Federation (SAF)Since 2006 the SAF has created 4 videos: A Proud Moment in Time; Proud of Who We Are; See the Real Me; How to TalkMembers attend rallies and Pride Parades, host a SAF Summit, and present to service provider staff about self-advocacy and how to be an ideal staff personThe SAF sponsored a Masters Candidate’s action research in 2008-09, called Belonging: The Lived Experiences of People With DisabilitiesSAF raises public awareness about the danger of institutional settingsProfileDaisy StaceyDaisy helps people solve problems and inspires people to take action

17. She sits on the SKILLS board, SPA group, and was on the Gateway board

18. Daisy is on the SAF Steering Committee, is involved in films and presentations and emcees events

19. She is a great networker, canvasser, listener, mentor, speaker & role model

20. She volunteers for events and the Edmonton Schizophrenia Society

21. Daisy supervises students at Tastes of EdmontonGroups make life better for othersCentral Alberta Self Advocates (CASA)Self-advocates from Red Deer and the surrounding area came together in 2002 to make a difference in their communities.They sat on the board of Safe Communities Central Alberta.They hosted several Community Living Awareness Celebrations having the Mayor proclaim the Month.They put pedestrian safety posters in all elementary and middle schools in Red Deer.They partner with the City of Red Deer to have ads on the city transit buses, bus benches and bus shelters.They developed a Be Safe Be Seen project and gave away hundreds of reflective items and gave many presentations to help keep all the community safe.They developed and continue to manage the CASA Plain Language Society.

22. Groups make life better for othersDisability Action Hall Hall members presented to the City of Calgary about the need for a low income transit passThe Hall joined a community group to take action to help everyone who needed it“It is a poverty issue, not just a disability issue”Michener POWER CouncilMembers gave a petition to the Mayor at City Hall about a needed crosswalk.

23. Members orient newstaff and say how we want to be supported and what we expect from great staff.

24. POWER Council is included in decisions made at Michener Services.CARS Cougars for Self-AdvocacyMembers report monthly to the City of Red Deer Community Advisory Committee on Inclusion and Accessibility around services, roadways and facilities Groups make it plain for everyoneHorizons HurricanesThe group grew out of a PDD-funded project called ‘Broadening Your Horizons’Self-Advocates took Leadership Today training and asked for more ways to practise their self-advocacy skillsThey connect, network and teach others about self-advocacy, and teach staff the best ways to support self-advocatesThey developed the My Life workbook in 2002-03 as a plain language CET standards tool CASA Plain Language SocietySelf-advocates translate the agendas, minutes, board reports and business plans from PDD board and have worked with these organizations: