Member Needs Assessment Survey: click here to download the member needs assessment survey for 2009. Please submit your responses either by e-mail to info@sbhana.org or by mail to our mailing address.
Sledge Hockey Tournament - Blades win the Gold!
Check out the Edmonton Journal article about the Blades. Some SBHANA members are on the team. Great job guys!
Click here for the story.
Hydrocephalus and Spina Bifida Research Conference for Medical Professionals
There is a hydrocephalus and spina bifida conference for medical professionals put on by the Society for Research into Hydrocephalus & Spina Bifida. They're holding their 54th Annual Scientific Conference 2010 (SRHSB 2010) from July 7-10 in Vancouver. For more info, check the links below:
http://www.srhsb.org/
http://www.theconferencewebsite.com/conference-info/SRHSB-2010
Smart Phone Application - Accessible Parking
A smartphone application has been created for accessible parking. It serves three functions:
1.) Allows legal permit holders to find accessible parking spots close by.
2.) Allows anyone to report illegally parked vehicles in accessible spots.
3.) Allows users to add parking spots to the database (# of spots, wheelchair accessibility, cost, comments, etc.)
For more information, go here: http://tiny.cc/4bSVi
Snow Removal News Story
The video from Feb 9, gives the phone numbers of two seniors organizations who have now opened up their snow removal program criteria to include people with physical disabilities and information for a girl who is willing to work on a volunteer referral system for such a thing.
http://www.globaltvedmonton.com/video/index.html?releasePID=fWcePBgIHDwPTLFHWKaeRb3qNNzfES9U
SCI Action Canada - Get In Motion - Free physical activity counseling service
Get in Motion (http://www.sciactioncanada.ca/get-in-motion.cfm) is a free physical activity counseling service for Canadians with spinal cord injury. This Canada-wide service is supported by the SCI Solutions Network in partnership with the Rick Hansen Foundation. Whether you are considering becoming physically active, have just begun a physical activity program, or have been engaging in physical activity for a while, you can benefit from this service, as physical activity counseling sessions are created to meet your specific needs. To participate or receive more information from an exercise counselor, please call our voicemail line at 1-866-678-1966 or click here: http://www.sciactioncanada.ca/contact.cfm
Cerebral Palsy Association Opportunities
Yoga
Dates: January 25, 2010 - March 8, 2010 (Excluding February 15, 2010)
Times: Mondays, 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Location: Central Lions Seniors Centre (11113-113 St.)
Fee: $50.00/6 week session
Art Expressions
Dates: February 24, 2010 – March 31, 2010
Times: Wednesdays, 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Location: Art Gallery of Alberta (2 Sir Winston Churchill Square)
*DATS drop off south side on 102A Ave.
Fee: $35.00/6 week session
Computability
Dates: Ongoing
Times: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
Location: Cerebral Palsy Association in Alberta (17231-105 Avenue)
Fee: $10.00/Month (1 hour session/week)
Contact: Email: kim@cpalberta.com Ph: 780-477-8030 Fax: 780-471-0855
Bridging the Gap - Have A Go Day
Wheelchair Sports Alberta is putting on another "Have A Go" day where individuals will have the opportunity to try and participate in a variety of wheelchair sports in a fun, relaxed atmosphere. All equipment is provided and participation is free! Have A Go day will be held on Saturday January 23rd from 12:30 - 4:00pm in the Glenrose Hospital Gymnasium. For more information, please call the Wheelchair Sports Alberta office at: 780-427-8723 or e-mail wsa5@telus.net.
ACCD Disability Awareness Program
The Alberta Committee of Citizens with Disabilities has a program where they will go into the class room and present to students about disability with a goal to dispel myths and stereotypes about people with disabilities. The presentation includes: focusing on ability rather than disability, offering authentic view of people with disabilities and meeting someone with a disability, ability to ask questions about disability, demonstrating appropriate language and dismantling commonly held myths. For more information, please call the ACCD office at: 780-488-9088 or e-mail accd@accd.net
Songs of Love
The Songs of Love Foundation is an American Non-Profit organization dedicated to providing personalized songs for children and teens currently facing touch medical, physical or emotional challenges, free of charge. A member of the SBHANA brought this opportunity to my attention and said that the song which was made for her daughter was fabulous. Canadian applicants are welcome. For more information, visit their website: http://www.songsoflove.org/
Ability Tax Group
The Ability Tax Group, based out of BC, is a team of professionals with backgrounds in occupational therapy, tax, special needs child development, accounting and client care services. Their mission is to maximize all disability-tax related credits and benefits that individuals affected by a disability may be eligible for. There are no upfront fees for filing your tax return with them, and payment for their services consists of a one-time first-year 25% contingency fee on successful tax refunds - all future tax rebates will be paid in full. For more information about their services, please visit their website at: http://www.abilitytax.ca/ or call them at 1-877-690-0330.
Research Opportunity for Mothers of Children with Spina Bifida
Research has shown that genetics play a role in Spina Bifida. The Spina Bifida Genetics Research Project is trying to identify genetic factors that are associated with an increased risk for Spina Bifida. Their hope is that this study results in a better understanding of Spina Bifida. And, they can use your help!
They are seeking mothers of children with Spina Bifida to enroll in a genetic study. Participants will be asked to complete a brief online survey and provide a saliva sample with a simple at-home kit. After your sample has been received, you will have your choice of a $10 Tim Hortons gift card or a $10 donation to your Local or National Spina Bifida & Hydrocephalus Association.
To find out more information and to enroll in the Spina Bifida Genetics Research Project, please go to the website at www.sbgenetics.org and select ENROLL. Click here for information about your privacy in this study. Your participation in this important study is sincerely appreciated! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact 866-575-0110 or support@sbgenetics.org
Paralympic Sports Association - Fall/Winter Programs
The PSA has a number of great programs this fall and winter including: Adapted Floor Hockey, Indoor Soccer, Teen Group, Sledge Hockey, Wheelchair Square Dancing, Indoor Soccer Swim Club and Tae Kwon Do. For more information or to register, visit their website at http://www.parasports.net/ or call (780) 439-8687.
New assisted waste collection program
This service is for Edmonton residents with temporary or permanent mobility challenges who do not have someone to take their waste to the curb or back lane for them. You can apply by filling in the application form and mailing or faxing it as directed on the form. Printable application forms can be found at www.edmonton.ca/waste. Applications can also be completed online at this website and submitted electronically. For questions or concerns, call 780-496-5698 or send an email to wasteman@edmonton.ca.
ETS Mobility Choice Travel Training Program
Are you interested in using public transit but concerned about mobility difficulties? Edmonton Transit System’s Mobility Choice Travel Training Program may be right for you! Edmonton Transit provides customized group and on-on-one training on how to use the transit service and features that meet your needs. This program is free of charge and can begin right at your doorstep. For more information, or to book trainings, phone: 780-496-3000 or e-mail ETSTravelTraining@edmonton.ca
Access 2 Entertainment Card—Application
http://access2.ca/english_default.html
This card provides free admission (or a significant discount) for support persons accompanying a person with a disability at member movie theatres across Canada. The person with the disability pays regular admission. This program was developed by an advisory group of nine national disability organizations, in conjunction with Cineplex Entertainment.
Persons with a permanent disability who require a support person when attending a movie theatre are eligible for the card. The applicant must agree to follow the terms and conditions for use of the card (see below).
A support person is an individual who accompanies a person with a disability to provide those services that are not provided by theatre employees, such as assisting the person with eating, administering medication, communication and use of the facilities. Click here for the Application.
Research Participants Needed:
Is your child using intermittent catheterization? You may be interested in a new study which had recently started in Edmonton and Calgary. Researchers Katherine Moore, PhD, Darcie Kiddoo, MD in Edmonton, and Bill Hyndman MD in Calgary are testing a new catheter for intermittent catheterization called Speedicath. They want to know if bladder infections are lower when the new product is used compared to the standard care of reused catheters. Participants will assess each catheter for 6 months and regular urine testing will occur. We are looking for children volunteers to take part in the project. If you would like to know more, please telephone Sally Martin, RN at 456-7518 or e-mail Sally at gjmart@telusplanet.net. This study is supported in part by the Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Associations of Northern and Southern Alberta, the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, and the Northern Alberta Urology Foundation.
