“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” - Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919), 26th president of the United States.

Greetings for 2024 and welcome to my first article of the year. My column is titled “Ability and Community” for a reason. I enjoy my community and want everyone to enjoy it to their ability.

Accessibility is collaborative and should include the voice of those it affects. Statistics Canada’s most recently released public data from 2022 showed that 27% of Canadians aged 15 years and over (8 million people) have one or more disabilities that limit their daily life activities. So, chances are we all know someone in this category, or are in the category ourselves.

Awareness is relevant, and action is key. Some disabilities are recognizable and some are not. Some are born with a disability and some acquire it. Disability understanding and knowledge is a community, civic, provincial, and federal concern and issue. Thankfully, our community has great support from all levels.

We have an agency near the area called Voice of Albertans with Disabilities (VAD). You can look VAD up online at vadsociety.ca. VAD is located at the Hys Centre (11010 101 Street) and is a great source of information on many issues concerning the disability community. You can subscribe free to VAD’s monthly publication The Voice via the website. To access VAD’s services, visit the website, or call or e-mail to arrange an appointment: 780-488-9088 or vad@vadsociety.ca.

VAD often looks for volunteers of any ability to be involved in fundraising, be a board member, or to serve in other roles. If you would like further information on anything, contact VAD or me at ianyoung.ca. And remember: together we hold the power!

Ian is a columnist with the paper. He lives in the area.