Family Conference honours the inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in community

EDMONTON, April 10, 2014 /CNW/ - More than 750 parents, children, teenagers, and adults with developmental disabilities along with teachers and professionals from across the province will join together at the Fantasyland Hotel April 11 - 12, 2014 to attend the Alberta Association for Community Living (AACL) 22nd Annual Family Conference.

The largest conference of its kind in Canada, perhaps across the world, begins Friday morning with an emphasis on professional development. This includes two day-long workshops by internationally renowned speakers on inclusive education and human services system reform that underscore how educators and human service providers can help create conditions for people with disabilities to thrive in the regular classroom, workplace and community.  There will be more than 100 children, with and without disabilities, enjoying childcare and teen programming with a Youth Forum on Saturday.

On Friday evening AACL is pleased to host Alberta Human Services Minister Manmeet S. Bhullar during the President's Reception where he will deliver remarks to the invited guests.   Inclusive community award recipients include The City of Edmonton for employing an increasing number of individuals with developmental disabilities and The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology for including students with developmental disabilities in regular programs, courses and student life.

The conference continues Saturday with a full slate of programming including sessions with topics on employment, sexuality, classroom curriculum, and advocacy.

The conference concludes on Saturday evening with attendees gathering for a Family Dance Celebration.     

Background:

AACL is a family-based, registered charity supporting thousands of children and adults with developmental disabilities and their families across Alberta for nearly 60 years.

For more information regarding the AACL Family Conference, please contact:

SOURCE: Alberta Association for Community Living

Bruce Uditsky, CEO, Cell: 780-940-4269, Email: [email protected]