Ottawa, October 15, 2008
On October 17, the All Abilities Welcome program will be the focus of a presentation at the Alberta Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA) annual conference, taking place in Edmonton, Alberta.
All Abilities Welcome (AAW) is a campaign aimed at encouraging an attitude of openness and cooperation around inclusion in physical activity at the community level. This program is funded in part by the Government of Canada’s Social Development Partnerships Program, Human Resources and Social Development Canada and was launched in 2006 by the Active Living Alliance for Canadians with a Disability, a national non-profit voluntary sector organization committed to motivating and assisting Canadians with a disability to become more physically active.
“We believe that with the right support and encouragement, community and recreation organizations will have everything they need to assist people with a disability to benefit through access to active living programs and services that they provide,” said Chris Bourne, Acting Executive Director at the Active Living Alliance. “Through All Abilities Welcome, we hope to promote greater access to active living programs, awareness of the potential of people with a disability, and a greater level of understanding within communities in general.”
In addition to producing a resource toolkit for service providers with helpful hints and strategies around inclusion, a website with information about active living for people with a disability, and a national database of inclusive programs and events, AAW has recruited 57 speakers from diverse backgrounds to deliver the inclusion message at conferences and workshops targeting community and service organizations across the country.
“The ATRA conference is a very relevant place to talk about what we’re trying to do with AAW,” said Heather Craig, a provincial representative with the Active Living Alliance, and an AAW speaker. “With a captive audience of recreation therapists, it’s a great opportunity to bring our message to that community.”
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For further information, please contact:
Jason Dunkerley
All Abilities Welcome
Active Living Alliance for Canadians with a Disability
104-720 Belfast Road
Ottawa, Ontario
K1G 0Z5
Tel.: 1-800-771-0663 or (613) 244-0052, extension 25
Fax: (613) 244-4857
Email: jason@ala.ca
Web: www.allabilitieswelcome.ca
