Community Resources (Alberta)
Community resources are services and programs available to help you and/or your family. The services may vary depending on where you live in the province of Alberta. This section applies specifically to Alberta but includes information that can be adapted for use in other provinces as well. There are also some national resources included in this section.
Your social worker and other rehab team members can provide you with more information on community resources.
Telephoning
Persons unable to use the telephone directory due to impairment may apply to become a “B” customer. This means you may be exempted from directory assistance charges. To access this Telus service, call 780-310-2255. A form must be filled out which is certified by your physician or an individual acceptable to Telus.
Types of community resources
There are many community resources available to your and your family. It is helpful to think about a specific resource under a general area: housing, financial programs, and transportation, for example.
General areas are discussed in this section with information on specific resources under each topic.
Tips for finding community resources
- Your social worker is an excellent resource to use when it is not clear just who to call. He or she has access to a provincial network of services and a wide range of information.
- Keep a list of your most commonly called resources (name and phone number) in an accessible place.
- Keep the following personal information together and accessible in case it is requested:
- date of birth
- Social Insurance Number
- Alberta Health Care (or other provincial health care) and extended benefits name and number
- claim number (Workers Compensation Board or WCB)
- name of worker, rehab consultant, etc.
- other pertinent information.
- Before making a call, make sure you have a way of recording the information.
- Call community resources early in the day.
- Clearly state your request.
- Be persistent—it may take a few phone calls before you find the information you want.
- If you are having problems, ask members of your Rehab Centre team for help.
The CPA (Alberta) Community Resource Guide for People with Mobility Impairments
This publication is just 1 of 6 resource guides that are available across Alberta in the communities of Calgary, Edmonton, Grande Prairie, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat and Red Deer. In this resource guide, they present a comprehensive listing of useful resources for people with mobility impairments.
The goal is to help increase awareness of, and access to, the programs, products and services available for persons with disabilities. The resources listed in this guide provide general information only. You are encouraged to telephone the resource directly for more specific information regarding the following:
- services
- eligibility criteria
- hours of operation
- fees
- and more.
Important government telephone numbers and websites
Government of Canada
For information on the Government of Canada programs and services, call:
1 800 O-Canada
(1-800-622-6232)
Government of Alberta
You can access Alberta Government offices toll-free from anywhere in the province by dialing 310-0000.
Disability WebLinks
Disability WebLinks offers a single-window access to federal, provincial and territorial government programs and related services for persons with disabilities. Disability WebLinks provides information on a variety of topics such as:
- accessibility
- education
- employment
- financial supports
- health
- housing and residential supports
- personal supports
- rights
- tax programs
- transportation.
ALIS (Alberta Learning Information Service)
ALIS is Alberta’s leading on-line gateway for career, learning, and employment information and services. The ALIS website provides information to assist Albertans with the following:
- career planning
- post-secondary education and training
- educational funding
- job searching
- labour market trends
- workplace help.
Community Resource Guide
The Community Resource Guide is a web based document (63 pages) and can be found at:
(Visit the national CPA website to access
www.canparaplegic.org to access other CPA provincial sites and information.)
The following listing includes the areas covered by the Resource Guide:
- Disability Organizations
- Education and Employment
- Educational Institutions
- Private Colleges
- Public Colleges
- Technical Institutes
- Universities
- Educational Scholarships and Bursaries
- Equipment and Medical Supplies
- Financial Assistance/Benefits
- Health
- Dentists
- Foothills Medical Centre Neuro Rehabilitation Unit
- Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital Adult Spinal Cord Injury/General Neurology Program
- Pharmacies
- Physicians – General Practice
- Physicians – Plastic Surgery
- Physicians – Podiatry
- Physicians – Urology
- Therapeutic Services
- Home Care
- Housing
- Community Housing
- Construction and General Contracting
- Programs and Services
- Independent Living
- Full Service Gas Stations
- Magazines and Newsletters
- Recreation and Leisure
- Local Attractions
- Sports and Fitness
- Travel
- Transportation
- General
- Regional Handibus Services
Travel
With planning, travel by air, train, bus and ship are all possible. There are travel agencies that have expertise in arranging trips for individuals in wheelchairs, but you can also do it yourself. Many hotels and motels have wheelchair accessible rooms. It is still important to check with each establishment about what the accessible unit is like, as there are no uniform standards for public accommodation.
Also see Recreation/Leisure.
Support and counselling services
Community Family Service Agencies and/or local Mental Health Centres can provide crisis intervention and counselling when difficulties arise. If these agencies are not available in your community, several people can probably help you. For example:
- your doctor
- peers
- local and disability support groups.
Consult with your social worker to become aware of agencies in your community.
Leisure and recreation
Leisure and recreation can encompass a wide range of activities and interests. You can take advantage of the activities offered by the Recreational Services to explore options you can pursue when you return home from your Rehab Centre. Some community organizations include:
- wheelchair sports association
- disabled skiing (downhill and cross-country) groups
- gardening for persons with a disability
- local libraries or Canadian National Institute for the Blind (provide talking books).
You can also contact your local community and recreation centres to explore their accessible programs. For specific information, contact your recreation therapist and see Recreation/Leisure section.
Reading material
There are many newsletters, magazines and resource books that are excellent sources of information. They have information on spinal cord injury, community resources, advocacy issues, travel and accessibility.
Abilities
This is Canada’s lifestyle magazine for people with disabilities. It is published 4 times a year. The subscription is $26 for two years. The magazine is available in print, audio cassettes or computer disks.
To order:
Canadian Abilities Foundation
489 College Street, Suite 501
Toronto, ON M6G 1A5
Toll Free: 1-888-700-4476
Phone: 416-923-1885
Spinal Column
This is a quarterly magazine published by the Canadian Paraplegic Association (Alberta). It provides information such as issues related to disability, accessibility, and a classified ad section. When you become a member of CPAA, you receive one year’s subscription to the Spinal Column and Total Access. Yearly membership fee is $25. Contact your CPAA counsellor to find out more about the membership.
Total Access
This is a national magazine that is published quarterly by the Canadian Paraplegic Association. It provides a national perspective on issues related to disability, and lets you know about activities throughout the country. Contact your CPA counsellor to find out more about this magazine.
Resource Book
Spinal Network: The Total Resource for the Wheelchair Community, by Sam Maddox, published by Spinal Network, 500+ pages, $49.95 US plus shipping and handling.
Spinal Network is an excellent information tool for persons with spinal cord injury. It is thorough but easy to read. The book features information on incontinence, aging with a disability, cure, medical-related and bio-medical research.
It also pays special attention to the active wheelchair lifestyle:
- sports
- competition
- travel
- sexuality
- parenting
- computers and technology
- civil rights
- employment.
This is an American book with US resources but provides a great deal of general information that is beneficial to people with spinal cord injuries. To order:
Spinal Network
PO Box 8987
Malibu CA 90265-8987
Fax: 1-310-317-9533
Attendant Care Services
If you need assistance with your personal care, meal preparation or household maintenance, programs are available through several sources to provide the services and/or pay for them. Contact your social worker got get more information on the services provided by various programs that you are eligible to use.
Alberta Ministry of Health – Continuing Care Division
This agency provides comprehensive community based, supportive health care services, such as home support. These services could include:
- homemaker services for assistance with dressing, bathing, grooming, and household assistance
- consultation from nursing, physiotherapy, and occupational therapy
- meal programs.
Tetra Development Society
Tetra provides a comprehensive program of technical assistance. It matches volunteer professionals with people with disabilities, to develop assistive devices which enhance a person’s quality of life.
Reading Material
www.paralinks.net (Electronic Magazine for people with spinal cord injuries)