ABILITIES COUNCIL
individuals who confront barriers to finding and maintaining employment. As everyone is unique, services are tailored to fit individual needs, goals, and areas for growth. As part of this program, the Council also goes into the community to educate employers on the benefits of harnessing the distinct skill sets of persons with disabilities. This leads to many professional partnerships with leading local employers who are dedicated to strengthening our communities and creating a pool of competitive candidates ready to merge into the workforce.
The Council understands employment isn’ t the only avenue to increase a person’ s quality of life and to feel a sense of fulfillment. Life enrichment programs offered across the province bring adults together for community connection and personal growth through various recreational programs.
Many know the Council best as the facilitator of Camp Easter Seal, located at Little Manitou Lake outside of Watrous, Saskatchewan. Camp Easter Seal plays a pivotal role in ensuring every child, youth, and adult gets to experience the sense of belonging and fun of summer camp, an experience many of us may take for granted. As the only barrierfree, completely wheelchair accessible camp of its kind in Saskatchewan, Camp Easter Seal gives kids the opportunity to just be kids. No doctor’ s visits, no feeling left out, just fun and helping campers to see the ability in their disability.
Living with a disability can be expensive. Multiple specialist appointments, travel to and from after school activities, wheelchair adaptations— it all adds up quickly. That’ s why it’ s a priority of the Council to offer services at little to no cost to families, many of whom struggle to keep up with giving their child the same opportunities as the next family.
By working together, the Saskatchewan Abilities Council believes we can enrich the lives of families impacted by disabilities and build a society where all people are valued. After all, an inclusive community is a vibrant one. +
6 | FALL 2016