Skills Society: Supporting the Citizenship of People with Disabilities

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Skills Society: Supporting the Citizenship of People with Disabilities

We support people with disabilities, their families, and communities. Skills Society supports people with disabilities, their families, and communities.

Through day-to-day services and innovative projects, we work to help people with disabilities experience meaningful lives as valued citizens. Many people with disabilities live on the margins of our communities, often in isolation, and are not offered the same opportunities most citizens are afforded. Skills Society provides support services to children and adults with developmental disabilities,

survivors of acquired brain injury, and their families. Communities benefit when people with disabilities are provided stable, individually tailored services, housing and support. When people are supported to realize their full potential, they can contribute their skills, knowledge and gifts to the mosaic of talents and personalities that make our communities strong and healthy.

06/01/2026

Every June, we recognize Pride Month as a time to celebrate the LGBTQIA2S+ community and the ongoing work toward equity and inclusion.

In Edmonton, Pride in 2026 doesn’t centre on a single city-wide theme, instead it’s a “Summer of Pride.” Events run across the season from late May through August, with celebrations happening all over the city.

It’s a chance to take in Pride in different ways, whether that’s attending events, supporting community spaces, or connecting with others. We encourage folks to check out what’s happening across Edmonton this Pride season and find ways to get involved that feel meaningful to them. 🏳️‍🌈

[The image has a white background with colourful pop art shapes around the edges. A maple leaf with the rainbow colours of the Progress Pride Flag, which are black, brown, light blue, light pink, white, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet, and the words Pride Season Saison de la Fierté appear in the middle. The Canada wordmark is in the bottom right corner.]

05/31/2026

National AccessAbility Week runs from May 31 to June 6. It’s a time to celebrate the contributions and leadership of people with disabilities and to reflect on the work still needed to create accessible and inclusive communities.

To wrap up the week, Voice of Albertans with Disabilities (VAD) is hosting a free BBQ and Silent Auction on Saturday, June 6, 2026, from 12–3 PM at Borden Park – Site 1. This is an opportunity to connect with the disability community, volunteers, community partners, and allies in a welcoming and accessible space.

[In the image, large bold text reads “National AccessAbility Week.” The background is soft teal with abstract brush-like shapes in teal and mustard. At the bottom, smaller text notes the dates “May 31 – June 6, 2026.” The design is simple and graphic, with high contrast for readability.]

05/30/2026

This week, members of the Skills team attended the Impact 2026 Conference hosted by the Alberta Council of Disability Services (ACDS). Every year, this conference brings together people from across the community disability services sector to learn, connect, and share ideas that strengthen inclusive communities and supports.

We’re proud to have Skills leaders Ben and Paige presenting at this year’s conference. Paige presented on The Belonging Project Toolkit, an initiative exploring the conditions, actions, and processes that support belonging in the lives of people with intellectual disabilities. Ben’s sessions focused on systems change, disability rights, wellbeing, and building community services that support people to live meaningful and connected lives.

It’s always valuable to spend time learning alongside others in the sector, reflecting on the work, and hearing directly from advocates and community members helping shape where things need to go next. Thank you to ACDS for another thoughtful conference.

Learn more about The Belonging Project here: https://www.skillssociety.ca/projects/the-belonging-project

[In the first image group of Skills staff members attending the ACDS Impact 2026 Conference stand together smiling in a conference space.

In the second image, Paige stands at a podium speaking to a seated audience in a conference room. A large projection screen beside them displays a slide titled “Hopes for Today,” with colourful circular graphics outlining discussion goals related to a belonging toolkit and participant feedback. Attendees are seated in rows facing the front of the room, listening to the presentation. The room has tall grey walls and conference-style lighting

In the third image, a long conference table is covered with workshop and meeting materials, including binders, printed handouts, sticky notes, pens, and the book “Design for Belonging.” Several handwritten sticky notes with reflections and reminders are scattered across the table. Paige's conference name badge rests on the table near a cup of water.]

05/28/2026

At Skills Society, we’ve been spending time exploring what it looks like to live our values in day to day work, and how leadership fits into that.

Leadership is often talked about as something tied to roles or titles. In our context, it’s more about how people show up with each other. It’s in how we listen, how we support one another, and how we move work forward together.

The Leadership Workbook came out of this thinking. It builds on conversations that started in 2021, when a group of leaders took time to reflect on what leadership actually looks like here. One thing that became clear is that leadership isn’t something you arrive at. It takes time, reflection, and a willingness to notice your own assumptions and keep learning.

This workbook is meant to support that process. It offers space to reflect on your values, your strengths, and how you show up in your work and with others, along with prompts to think about how you support people and contribute to a team.

It’s one part of an ongoing effort to support a shared approach to leadership across the organization.

[In the first image, a teal header reads “The Leadership Workbook” under a “Project Highlight Series” banner. Below, a preview of the workbook cover sits beside text describing it as a reflection tool for learning, growth, and conversation, focused on practicing leadership together through shared values and everyday actions.

In the second image, a series of page from the Leadership workbook are laid out, showing sections like introductions, reflections, and activities. The pages use a mix of teal, yellow, and white with illustrations and prompts that guide people to explore their values, skills, and approach to leadership in practice.]

05/27/2026

Eid al-Adha Mubarak! We want to wish those celebrating a joyful Eid al-Adha filled with love, peace, and blessings.��

[The image has a navy blue background with a teal crescent moon in the top left corner. Large white text reads "Eid al-Adha Mubarak!" Below it, in yellow smaller text, it says "A very blissful Eid al-Adha to you and your family".]

05/24/2026

As Community Disability Services Professional Appreciation Week comes to a close, we are proud to share one final reflection from a member of the Skills team about the work of supporting people with developmental disabilities to live full and meaningful lives in community.

Thank you, Isaac, for sharing your reflection and for the care and advocacy you bring to this work.

[The image displays a quote for Community Disability Service Professional Appreciation Week. On a white background with a yellow dotted pattern, navy text reads “What fills me with pride is knowing that I’m part of a broader movement, one that challenges stigma, questions exclusion, and centres dignity. This work isn’t just a job. It is a commitment to justice, collective care, and the belief that everyone belongs.” Attribution at the bottom reads: “Isaac Tumwebaze, Skills Society Staff Member.”]

05/22/2026

As we continue celebrating Community Disability Services Professional Appreciation Week, we are proud to share reflections from members of the Skills team about the work of supporting people with developmental disabilities to live full and meaningful lives in community.

Thank you, Robyn, for sharing your reflection and for the care and advocacy you bring to this work!

[The image displays a quote for Community Disability Service Professional Appreciation Week. On a white background with a yellow dotted pattern, navy text reads “Helping individuals find their voice and autonomy, on their own terms, is the reward. I learn more from the people I support and my co-workers than I could ever teach.” Attribution at the bottom reads: “Robyn Parnell, Skills Society Staff Member.”]

05/20/2026

As we continue celebrating Community Disability Services Professional Appreciation Week, we are proud to share reflections from members of the Skills team about the work of supporting people with developmental disabilities to live full and meaningful lives in community.

Thank you, Charlotte, for sharing your reflection and for the care and advocacy you bring to this work!

[The image displays a quote for Community Disability Service Professional Appreciation Week. On a white background with a yellow dotted pattern, navy text reads “I feel like supporting people with disabilities is one of the most rewarding professions one could enter into. Making a difference in the lives of others and supporting them to live their best lives makes me feel like I am also living my best life!” Attribution at the bottom reads: “Charlotte Petty, Skills Society Staff Member.”]

05/18/2026

This week, we proudly join communities across Alberta in celebrating Community Disability Services Professional Appreciation Week, May 18–24, 2026.

Community Disability Service professionals do meaningful, complex, and essential work every day to enhance the quality of life of people with disabilities, their families, and their communities. We recognize the incredible compassion and dedication you bring to supporting people with developmental disabilities to live full and meaningful lives in community, and we are deeply grateful for your commitment.

Please join us in recognizing and celebrating the invaluable work of Community Disability Service professionals within our Skills community and the broader disability sector. Your care and advocacy make a difference in the lives of those we serve and it does not go unnoticed.

Throughout the week, members of the Skills team will be sharing why they are proud to be disability service professionals.

[The image has black text at the top left side of the image that says "May 18–24, 2026" below it large teal text reads “Community Disability Services Professional Appreciation Week”. The image has a white background with a dotted yellow pattern on the right side. An illustrated hand holds a yellow heart near the bottom left. Smaller navy text on the bottom right reads “Stay tuned this week to hear from the Skills team as they share why they’re proud to be disability service professionals.”]

05/14/2026

New Resource Alert! This Guide designed for anyone doing community building work with and alongside Indigenous communities, shares learning from weaving Indigenous inclusion into Skills Society's Community Animation Service.

Check out the resource here: https://www.skillssociety.ca/projects/the-community-animator

This resource was created in partnership with Naheyawin - an Indigenous led consultancy we can't say enough good things about!

[In the image, a graphic titled “New Resource Alert!” introduces a guide for people doing community-building work with and alongside Indigenous communities. The post shares learnings from weaving Indigenous inclusion into Community Animation and features the cover of a report called In a Good Way: Learnings from Indigenous-Informed Community Animation, prepared by Naheyawin. Text in the corner notes that the resource was created in partnership with Naheyawin, and geometric shapes frame the image.]

Address

#203, 10408 124 Street
Edmonton, AB
T5N1R5

Telephone

+17804969686

Website

http://www.linktr.ee/skillssociety

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