Voice of Albertans with Disabilities

News & Events



2019

  • Fall Forum
    VAD Annual Fall Forum
  • VAD Organization members can send 2 individuals for free as part of their paid membership fee!
     iVAD members can attend for free!
    Non members interested in attending are $25 each.
    • (PLEASE NOTE:  One registration form per person to allow for name tags and sign in sheet)

    Welcome to the 2019 Fall Forum for Voice of Albertans with Disabilities.  This year we are pleased to provide a motivational speaker as well as create an engaging and interesting discussion about VAD working group activities and direction.  VAD will be providing Captioning Services and a LOOP system for hard of hearing.

9:30

Registration

10:00

Opening the day

Chris Koch

11:30

Breaking Barriers/Employment Entrepreneurs  

12:15

Lunch

1:00

Working group updates

   -Staff Recruitment and Retention

   -Government Relations

   -Accessibility

   -Rural/remote communities

   -Additional areas of focus – bring suggestions

2:00 

Coffee Break

Working collaboratively

Working Charters

3:15 

Wrap up 

Tickets available here:  https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/vad-fall-forum-2019-tickets-60537971703

Special Announcement: Chris Koch is our Keynote Speaker!

Chris Koch

Renowned Motivational Speaker

Chris Koch doesn’t let limitations or obstacles stand in his way. Despite being born without arms and legs, Koch grew up like any other small-town kid — playing road hockey, causing mischief at school, and helping out on his family farm. Neither he or his family treated his disability like a tragedy, and instead used it to fuel his dreams. Today, Koch is a motivational speaker who inspires his audiences to continually challenge themselves and build the life they dream of.

Born in Lethbridge, Alberta, Koch was raised in the small farming and ranching community of Nanton, Alberta. Early on, he learned that he would not be raised with pity or sympathy. Sure, he had to do things a little differently and some tasks took him a little longer to complete than others, but he was determined to be just like the rest and was always treated just like the rest. After all, he still had a good head on his shoulders and with that, anything is possible.

Koch loves sharing his story and spreading his message of, “If I Can…” An avid traveler, marathoner, and farmer, his presentation reflects his full life. Simply put, Koch says, if I can do what I’ve done so far in my life, what’s stopping others from doing the same?

 

  • Driver Appreciation Day
    Second Week of November
    November 10-16, 2019


#AccessibleTransportation Accessible Driver Appreciation Week Nov. 10-16

Accessible Driver Appreciation Week Thank You Card

Accessible Driver Appreciation Week Sample News Release

Accessible Driver Appreciation Week Event Idea List

LABEL 5163: Accessible Driver Appreciation Week Stickers

Accessible Driver Appreciation Week Sample Proclamation



  • Giving Tuesday Pop Up Candle Sales
    December 3, 2019
    10:30 - 2:30 
    City Centre - 10025 102 A Ave

VAD will be at City Centre on December 3rd selling our Hand Rolled Bees Wax Candles as part of our fundraising and awareness campaign.  Come by and pick up your candles and kick off the start of the giving holiday season by supporting VAD on this #GivingTuesday.


  • IDPD - International Day of Persons with Disabilities
  • Tuesday, December 3, 2019
    Edmonton's 2019 Theme: Unlimited!   Get to know your Community Information Fair
    2:00 - 7:00 pm
    West Edmonton Mall, Phase IV Stage, 8882 172 street



2020