Canadian Paraplegic Association (Alberta)

News and Events

Research Study on Social and Affordable Housing

Redevelopment-Regeneration Projects

CMHC is initiating a research study on social and affordable housing redevelopment and regeneration projects. The study asks about projects that are either completed, in process, still in the planning stage, or are needed; large or small, and which include
design changes, redevelopment, intensification and other approaches to improve the physical and/or social conditions of the housing.

This research will be of interest to all those who are concerned with housing, whether social housing or the private sector, including housing agencies, planners, community health and other professionals, and community-based groups.

The first step in the research involves an on-line survey which will: (1) identify exemplary redevelopment-regeneration projects; and (2) identify future potential social and affordable housing projects that require or would benefit from redevelopment-regeneration. Case studies will then be conducted for up to eight exemplary redevelopment-regeneration projects.

Input is needed from a wide variety of organizations and professionals who have general OR in-depth knowledge of specific redevelopment-regeneration projects.

Your assistance in completing the survey, ideally within the next 1-2 weeks, would be greatly appreciated.

If there is more than one exemplary project which you/your organization is aware of, ideally, we would like to receive one survey for each project.

The research is being conducted by
SPR Associates Inc. who have been contracted by CMHC to carry out the study.  Both CMHC and SPR guarantee the confidentiality of all information provided by participants. At the end of the study, a final report will be made available to all participants.

To proceed directly to the on-line survey, please click on either of the web-links below:

                               English: https://www.surveycentral.ca/cmhc/r-rprojects.htm   
                               Français: https://www.surveycentral.ca/cmhc/rrprojets.htm  

If you have any questions about the survey, contact ted.harvey@spr.ca  or 1-800-363-0832 (Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. ET),.

If you have any questions about the overall study, contact CMHC's project manager for this research, Ms. Janet Neves, Sr. Policy Analyst, FPT Relations, at jneves@cmhc-schl.gc.ca or (613) 748-2300, ext. 3237.

 

 

“Discovering the Power in Me”

(Creating a future of strength and hope)

Valued at $600/person but provided at NO COST to CPA participants!

The Canadian Paraplegic Association (Alberta) would like to invite you and a guest (family member or supportive friend) to take part in the “Discovering the Power in Me” workshop being held in Red Deer on March 22 and 23, 2010, 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Bethany Collegeside, (ADSP Room), 99 College Side, Red Deer, Alberta

Training for both workshops provided by respected facilitators from the Pacific Institute, Vancouver.

RSVP:  403-341-5060, or katy.ignatiuk@cpa-ab.org

Deadline:  March 17, 2010Red Deer workshop

 

Enhanced 9-1-1 Service

As of February 1st, all mobile service providers will have enhanced 9-1-1 accessibility, but not in all cities. At Stage 1, the 9-1-1 service provider can obtain your phone number and narrow down your location to the closest tower. Stage Two will allow the 9-1-1 service provider to find your exact location from your phone. Click here for break down of each phone company and their accessibility to the enhanced 9-1-1 service.


The Stem Cell Global Blueprint Conference

This is an international two day meeting being held in Toronto on May 21 - 22, 2010.

This event will bring together scientific researchers, clinicians, ethicists, regulators, policy makers, NGOs, industry, legal interests, society/media and consumers from around the world to discuss the safe and timely development of stem cell therapies for spinal cord injury and related neurological disorders.

In connection with the conference, a very short stem cell perception survey has been developed to capture the views of the SCI community, about stem cell therapy.

The survey can be accessed at: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=Fo3WtQB3mF_2bdcB45_2f_2fLFNg_3d_3d

 

CARWH Conference

The Canadian Association for Research on Work and Health (CARWH) conference will be held in Toronto on May 28 - 29, 2010, hosted by the Institute for Work and Health (IWH).

The theme for the conference is, “Worker Health in a Changing World of Work.”

Opening the conference this year will be:

Katherine Lippel, Canada Research Chair in Occupational Health and Safety Law, University of Ottawa who will address Invisibility of the health consequences of precarious employment.

Kristan Aronson, Professor, Community Health and Epidemiology, Queen’s University who will address Research challenges: work at night and cancer risks.

Registration costs:

Regular $350.00

Student $100.00(includes student symposium May 27)

Registration and payment must be completed online at http://carwh2010.iwh.on.ca/registration.

Travel awards available to assiststudents traveling long distances. Please apply online at time of registration.

Accommodation information is also available on the website.

The First Person Project

Tell us your story. reachAbility is a charitable organization committed to creating an even playing field for persons with all types of disability.

reachAbility is asking Canadians with disabilities to share their personal experiences with employment in a book being published in 2010.  Read more…

Drug Test for Muscle Spasticity after Spinal Cord Injury

Researchers at the University of Alberta are interested in what happens to the nerve cells that control the leg muscles after an injury occurs. They will be using a drug called cyproheptadine, in order to understand what kind of change is happening after an injury. The study only requires one or two days of your time, for 3 to 5 hours, to be completed. Participants who are interested will be screened by phone to make sure they do not have conditions that would make it unsafe to take the drug. Participants should have some spasticity present in their legs, but movement is not necessary. There is no cost to be involved in the study and parking costs and transportation to and from the University will be covered.

If you are interested in this study, please contact Kelly Brunton, MScPT at (780) 492-2258 or kelly.brunton@ualberta.ca. Kuen Tang at CPA (Alberta) can also be contacted at (780) 424-6312, ext. 2235 or kuen.tang@cpa-ab.org.


Albertan, Sonny Davis, begins wheelchair trek across Canada on May 30, 2010

Check out his story at www.marathonoffreedom.com/

 Heart of a Dragon

A movie about Rick Hansen's Man in Motion tour.  Check out www.heartofadragonmovie.com.

Registered Disability Savings Plan

If you or someone you know is eligible for the Disability Tax Credit, there is a new registered savings program that you should know about: the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP). The RDSP was introduced by the Federal Government to help Canadians to save and invest for themselves or a family member with a disability in a tax deferred environment. Go to www.rbc.com/rdsp to find out more.

Buckle Up Rodeo

The Canadian Paraplegic Association (Alberta) is proud to present our 2010 CPA “Buckle Up” Rodeo. This is a “mock rodeo” complete with music, cowboy hats, chaps, rodeo numbers, prizes and BBQ. Bring your ten gallon hat and your spurs and get ready for some wacky western fun. So Giddyupandgettotherodeo – Rain or Shine! Find out more.

Competitors, Spectators, Volunteers and Sponsors needed!

When: May 14, 2010

Time: 11:00 am – 4:30 pm

Place: Calgary Rotary Challenger Park (3688 – 48 Avenue NE)

Contact: Cal Schuler at 403-228-3001 or cal.schuler@cpa-ab.org

 

Get in Motion

Get in Motionis a nation-wide physical activity counseling service for Canadians with spinal cord injury. This FREE service is designed to provide the participant with the information, and support they may need to meet personal physical activity goals, or just a little motivation to get started with a physically active lifestyle. 

To participate or receive more information from a physical activity counselor, please call the voicemail line at 1-866-678-1966, or email motion@mcmaster.ca or visit www.sciactioncanada.ca.

 

Edmonton WINS in Battle of the BLADES: 

Thanks to stellar performances by Craig Simpson and Jamie Sale and the hard work of Louise Miller, the Spinal Cord Injury Treatment Centre (SCITCS) will now have $100,000 that will go towards a Research Chair in spinal cord injury at the University of Alberta. Stay tuned for the Winter issue of Spinal Columns as CPA talks with Louise Miller, a driving force behind SCITCS