Our Work is as Diverse as the People We Support.
Our Work is as Diverse as the People We Support.
Inclusion SK (formerly the Saskatchewan Association for Community Living) provides support in a variety of ways to individuals, parents, siblings, other family members, friends and community based organizations. We work collaboratively with the government and community based organizations to ensure that citizens of Saskatchewan who have intellectual disabilities are valued, supported and included members of society and have opportunities and choices in all aspects of life.
The areas we provide support include:
Inclusion SK (formerly the Saskatchewan Association for Community Living) provides support in a variety of ways to individuals, parents, siblings, other family members, friends and community based organizations. We work collaboratively with the government and community based organizations to ensure that citizens of Saskatchewan who have intellectual disabilities are valued, supported and included members of society and have opportunities and choices in all aspects of life.
The areas we provide support include:
SYSTEMIC CHANGE
Systemic Advocacy Projects
We want social systems to be inclusive, person-centred, and to follow best practices. Inclusion Saskatchewan uses the knowledge that we gain while working with individuals with intellectual disabilities, their families, and with systems to identify areas where change is necessary to provide the best services and support possible.
Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability (SAID)
In 2009 the Government of Saskatchewan launched the Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability (SAID) - a program that gives people with significant and enduring disabilities a dignified way to receive income support. Today, over 18,000 people receive SAID benefits and as a result, live fuller and more inclusive lives.
For more information about SAID or to find out if your are eligible, please go here.
Other Links
*SAID was created by the Disability Income Support Coalition, of which Inclusion Saskatchewan is a member. For more information about the coalition go here.
Inclusive Education
Making Schools more Inclusive
Inclusion Saskatchewan believes that Inclusive Education means that all students attend and are welcomed by their neighbourhood schools in age-appropriate, regular classes and are supported to learn, contribute and participate in all aspects of the life of the school. Inclusive education is about how we develop and design our schools, classrooms, programs and activities so that all students learn and participate together.
Inclusion Saskatchewan is beginning a project to look into inclusive education in Saskatchewan. Stay tuned for more information!
Oral Health Initiative
Inclusion Saskatchewan is working closely with the College of Dentistry and the Oral Health Coalition to improve both the wait times and the experience of individuals with intellectual disabilities at the dentist. We are also currently working with a Speech-Language Pathologist who is developing resources for dentists to use when treating individuals with intellectual disabilities.
As part of this initiative, Inclusion Saskatchewan participated in the creation of a video about the best practices of and sensitivities surrounding treating patients with intellectual disabilities.
Housing
Inclusion Saskatchewan wants to see the types of residential options that individuals with intellectual disabilities have access to expanded to provide for more diversity and innovation. Inclusion Saskatchewan believes that housing should support people to live as independently as possible while also ensuring that people have choice and opportunity in all aspects of their lives.
Inclusion Saskatchewan is currently working with the Ministry of Social Services Community Living Service Delivery, property developers, housing providers, and residential service providers across the province to develop more inclusive residential options for people with disabilities.
Valley View Centre Closure
Transitioning residents into the Community
Inclusion Saskatchewan played a critical role in the closure of Moose Jaw's Valley View Centre. Together with the Ministry of Social Services, we worked directly with residents and their families on their person-centred plans to transition out of the centre and into the community. Inclusion Saskatchewan helped 123 residents transition into the community prior to Valley View Centre's closure in 2019.
A Person-Centred Approach
Inclusion Saskatchewan's role was to support each individual through all aspects of planning for their transition before, during, and after they transitioned. We also provided support and advocacy throughout the process. As outlined in the Valley View Centre Transition Planning Recommendations, Inclusion Saskatchewan ensured that the individual is at the centre of their transition and that all of the choices about where they live, who they live with, and how they live in the community are entirely their own.
A Valley View Transition Story:
Jack, Eric, & David
Jack, Eric, and David were a few of the first individuals in Valley View Centre to transition out into the community. Watch the video to find out how moving out into their own home has allowed them to live fully-inclusive lives.
"It's more better living. I can go out to activities"
- Jack Gude