Ottawa, February 6, 2009
On February 20, the All Abilities Welcome program, in partnership with Active Halifax Communities, will deliver a presentation to promote awareness around inclusive active living for people with a disability in the Halifax Regional Municipality.
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 Skills 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.
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 44 speakers from diverse backgrounds to deliver the inclusion message at conferences and workshops across the country targeting community and service organizations.
Active Halifax Communities is an initiative aimed at increasing physical activity levels of children, youth and their families within the Halifax Regional Municipality.
“We are thrilled to have an opportunity to join with Active Halifax in sharing our message that community recreation and active living can and should be for everyone,” said Jane Arkell, Executive Director at the Active Living Alliance. “We hope this event will generate discussion and action that will contribute to greater access to community recreation in the Maritimes.”
Speakers at the event, set to take place from 2:00 to 4:00 pm at the Holiday Inn at 101 Wyse Road, Dartmouth NS, will include Physical Activity Coordinator Rachel Bedingfield, area recreation coordinator Doug Branscombe, and 2008 Paralympians Paul Tingley and Jason Dunkerley.
“Active Halifax Communities aims to help increase physical activity opportunities for persons of all abilities and backgrounds,” commented Rachel Bedingfield, who works with Active Halifax as a Physical Activity Coordinator. “We are very excited to be partnering with the ALACD and to be able to offer the All Abilities Welcome Workshop to practitioners within HRM and from around the province. Our hope is that through sharing and collaboration, the message of inclusion is received and acted upon.”
- 30 -
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
