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Alberta’s new disability program faces big hurdle

Changes bring more chaos for Albertans with disabilities and workers, says AUPE

Feb 04, 2025

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EDMONTON – The Alberta government’s plans to revamp supports for people with disabilities is adding chaos to a system already in disarray, says the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE).

“This a major announcement from the government, but there’s not a single word on how the plan will be funded, resourced and staffed,” says AUPE Vice-President Sandra Azocar. “Staff with Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) are already overwhelmed, and will now have an even greater and more complex workload.”

The government introduced changes to how AISH operates in March 2024, but AUPE members say those changes have resulted in confusion and chaos at work and for the Albertans who rely on AISH.

Caseloads are too big for staff to handle. AISH applicants and clients can’t get continuity of care because they are put through to different people every time they have questions.

“AISH cases are complex and Alberta Disability Assistance Program (ADAP) cases will be the same,” says Azocar. “Based on the chaos created last year, workers have no confidence in the government’s ability to make this work.”

Meanwhile, the crisis in care for Albertans with disabilities continues in the Family Support for Children with Disabilities (FSCD) and Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD) programs, where 12,000 families are waiting to have applications assessed.

“People with disabilities are tired of waiting to be assessed and to get support. Some have been waiting for more than two years because the government has instituted a freeze on handling new applications. The government has axed the jobs of dozens of case workers and is refusing to fill vacant positions,” says Azocar.

“People with disabilities contribute a great deal to Alberta. They deserve to have assistance programs that work,” says Azocar.

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AUPE Vice-President Sandra Azocar is available for comment.

To schedule an interview, please contact Terry Inigo-Jones, AUPE communications officer, at t.inigo-jones@aupe.org or 780-863-7850.

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  • Media release

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