Provincial Supports:
Federal Supports:
- Alberta Aids to Daily Living (AADL)
-This resource is available to all Alberta residents. See the AADL website for more details, or call 780-427-0731 or 780-643-1631.- Alberta Child Health Benefit
Coverage may include free eye glasses, dental care, prescriptions, ambulance service and diabetic supplies for your child(ren).- Alberta Works
to ensure that they cover their basic living needs. Amongst of things, they offer income support, child support services and financial assistance for training.- Alberta Scholarship and Bursary Program
extra educational funding that may be available for special needs students with learning or physical disabilities.- Dental Programs (Free or reduced fees)
-Many Albertan are unaware that dental services such as exams, cleaning, sealants and fillings are provided minimal costs or free of charge for low income families. Additionally,
most people are able to have dental services done at local dental teaching facilities at a reduced rate. Here are the school that offer reduced rates:University of Alberta - (780) 492-4458NAIT - (780) 471-7786SAIT - (403) 284-8380Columbia College - (403) 235-9314KDM (Calgary) - (403) 264-2744 do not have a health plan. Families must apply prior to visiting one of the clinics.
The Palliser Health Region offers community dental clinics for children 4-12 years old without a health care plan. For more info call:Medicine Hat (403) 502-8200Brooks (403) 501-3300 Children 3-15 years of age without dental insurance can access dental services in for a small fee:Camrose (780) 679-2980Sedgewick (780) 384-3652Vegreville (780) 632-3331 Low income families receiving funding through other Alberta provincial support programs may be able to have extra dental work done, but your dentist with need to contact the Alberta Dental Service Corporation (on your behalf) with an appeal for extra funding support.- Eye See...Eye Learn Program
program which allows all Kindergarten aged students to have their eyes tested and if
prescribed with a pair of glasses, they are free for the child.- Insurance Companies (Alberta)
-If your company has a health benefits plan, be sure to educate yourself on all the services that are covered. Many plans will cover the costs of Psychological services, massage therapy, eye glasses, dental care, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, etc....- Military Families (extra support)
-If you are a military family with a special needs child, this website may be a wonderful- Oral Maxillofacial Devices and Services Program
-Will you be having dental treatment that is estimated to be extremely expensive? Will there be a surgical procedure involved that is covered by Alberta Health Care? Call (780) 415-1475, or (780) 310-0000 and then (780) 415-1475 to see if there is extra funding available for you.- Residential Access Modification Program (RAMP)
-If the child is using a wheelchair, the parental income is within RAMP’s guidelines and the proposed modification is within RAMP’s guidelines, then funding may be available for families. Be sure to check specifics. The following modifications have often been denied:New roomsAdditionsJetted tubSpecial bathing apparatusWalk-in bathtubBarrier-free bathrooms (RAMP will only fund the difference in cost between a regular bathroom and a barrier-free bathroom) This is intended for wheelchair uses, and the family gross income must be below $30,000. For more details, call 310-000 (toll-free) and then dial (780) 422-8241 or visit Additional Supports:
- Canada Child Tax Benefit
help them with the cost of raising children under age 18 (as per Canada Revenue Agency). For more details, please call 1-800-387-1193.- Canada Disability Savings Bond
registered disability savings plan. Depending on the beneficiary’s family income, the Government of Canada may contribute up to $1,000 each year. The lifetime bond limit is $20,000. A Canada Disability Savings Bond can be paid into an RDSP until the year in which the beneficiary turns 49 years old (as per the HRSDC website).- Canada Disability Savings Grant
contributes to a Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP). Depending on the beneficiary’s family income and contribution level, the Government may grant up to $3 for every $1 in contributions received by an RDSP in a year, to a maximum of $3,500. The lifetime grant limit is $70,000. A Canada Disability Savings Grant can be paid into an RDSP on a contribution made to the beneficiary’s RDSP by December 31 of the year the beneficiary turns 49 years old (As per the HRSDC website).- Caregiver Amount Deduction
-You may want to apply for this deduction if you live with a relative or your spouse or common-law partner, who is dependent on you because of a physical or mental impairment, and who is 18 or older. Call 1-800-959-8281 for more details.- Child Special Allowance
organizations or individuals for a child who: is under the age of 18; physically resides in Canada; and is maintained by an agency (As per the Government & Public Works website). For more information, please call 1-800-622-6232 (1 800 O-Canada).- Compassionate Care Benefits (EI Program)
to be absent from work to provide care or support to a gravely ill family member at risk of dying within 26 weeks (As per Service Canada). If your child is extremely ill, you may benefit from these benefits. For more information, please call 1-800 206-7218. - Disability Supports Deduction
-Persons who are impaired in physical or mental functions may qualify to deduct certain disability supports expenses for work, going to school, or doing paid research. Services and devices that would qualify are voice recognition software, deaf-blind intervention services, full-time attendant care, etc... Please call 1-800-959-8281 for more detailed information.- Federal Child Disability Benefit
-The Child Disability Benefit (CDB) is a tax-free benefit for families who care for a child under age 18 with a severe and prolonged impairment in mental or physical functions. The recipents must be the parents or primary caregivers of the child (as per Service Canada). Contact 1-800-O-Canada (1-800-622-6232) for more details.- Federal Disability Tax Credit
or severe impairment in mental or physical functions. You must have a qualifed professional certify that your child does indeed qualify as a person with these impairments. Qualified practitioners include medical doctors, psychologists, speech-language therapists, optometrists, occupational therapists and audiologists. If the child is approved, a monthly allowance will be allocated---up to $2395.00 per year!- Federal Excise Gas Deduction
-If your child has autism, sensory issues, ADHD, ODD, permanent mobility impairment or other disabilities which make it difficult for your child to use public transportation, this deduction may be beneficial for you. You may be able to apply for a refund of part of the federal excise tax on gasoline you have purchased. Contact CRA for more information at 1-800-267-6999.- Medical Expense Credit
-Some medical expense items can be claimed on your income taxes as a deduction. Some items that would qualify are eye glasses, guide and hearing dogs, cochlear implants, tutoring, talking textbooks, fees for specialized camps, fees for specialized private school, note-taking service, needles, syringes, artificial limbs or devices, payments to medical practitioners, renovations and alterations to a dwelling, moving expenses, etc... Be sure to consult with your accountant or call the tax - Registered Disability Savings Plan
security of a child with a disability. Funds can be invested tax-free until withdrawal. Your child must be eligible for the Disability Tax Credit in order to qualify for this program.- AADAC
-The Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission (AADAC) helps Albertans to list a life free of alcohol, drugs, tobacco and gambling. If you think you or your child could use their services, visit them today!- Alberta Health Authorities (Alberta Health Services)
- Canada Medic Alert Foundation
-If you or a family member has a medical condition, severe drug or food allergy, special needs, or take medication on a regular basis, you may be exposed to undue risk in an emergency children with medical conditions in 3,000 elementary schools across Canada to be protected with free MedicAlert coverage. - Canadian Life and Health Insurance Ombudservice
-Do you have health or life insurance questions, concerns or complaints. This website may- Drug Information
-This website indicates whether any plans in a specific province will cover medication costs -Some drug companies will supply medication on a compassionate basis as samples to physicians. If your physician is willing to write a letter to a drug company or talk to a drug company representative about getting medication for a patient on an ongoing basis, you may be able to get the medication at a reduced cost or for free. Your F.S.C.D. worker may be able to accomplish the same result if they are willing to speak to the drug company directly. -Drug Information Website:- Family Support for Children with Disabilities (FSCD)
-Many families in Alberta are still unfamiliar with the amazing services and supports that FSCD offers! If you have a child with disabilities, please be sure to investigate what FSCD has to offer to your family and whether you qualify for their services and supports. -Services are provided on a child's individual needs and a case-by-case family circumstance. Here is a list of potential services and supports that could be available to your family:Costs associated with medical appointments, hospitalization, transportation, parking, meals,accommodation, care for your other children, individual and family counselling, specialty clothingand footwear, respite care for up to 240 hours per year.If your child's disability his/her daily living, child focused services could be available. Theseservices often include short-term hourly respite care, 24 hour in and out of home respite, childcarecosts associated with hiring an aide for daycare, dayhome, summer camps, personal care assistance and other community involvement to enhance development and behaviour, dentaland/or orthodontic treatment, prescription drugs associated with a specific disability, special dietary items, medical supplies not covered under other health care plans, specialized services for children with disabilities that are severe, and out-of-home living arangements for a child that is no longer able to live at home because in-home supports are no longer a realistic alternative. - Health Information Website (Canadian)
- Mental Health Links
information. -To access a registered nurse for an over-the-phone mental health assessment (to determine symptoms and risk), please call 1-877-303-2642. A nurse with help you to access support, counselling, anger management, etc... in your area.- Medical Equipment Loan Service
-This is a free service offered by the Red Cross fo families living in the Red Deer, Calgary, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Edmonton and Grande Prairie.Calgary - (403) 541-6100Medicine Hat - (403) 526-3048Lethbridge - (403) 327-7117Edmonton - (780) 423-2680Grande Prairie - (780) 539-7127Red Deer - (403) 346-1241- Parent Resource Websites
- Persons With Disabilities Online
-This website is an other great resource for disabled individuals or their families to access information and assistance.- Short Term Equipment Loan Program
-This is a free service offered by the Red Cross for families living in the Capital Region (Edmonton) and offers equipment for up to three months while a patient recovers from illness, surgery or injuries. Call 780-413-4990 for more information.
Helpful Links
Available Grants:
- Alberta Scholarship and Bursary Program
-This brochure will allow you to see if there are any bursaries or scholarships available for your child!
- ATA Educational Trust (Project Grant)
- Burns Memorial Fund (Educational Grant)
-Are you a low-income family that needs help with meeting your child's health, educational, or recreational- Campbell McLaurin Foundation for Hearing Deficiencies - (403) 264-0211
-Does your child have a hearing deficiency? This grant may be helpful to your family in providing financial ass assistance in purchasing hearing aids and alerting devices!
- Canada Study Grant for the Accommodation of Students with Permanent Disabilities
-The Canada Study Grant for the Accommodation of Students with Permanent Disabilities is awarded to full- and part-time students with a permanent disability who must cover expenses that are related to their disability, such as the cost of tutors, interpreters, attendant care or special equipment. Delivered by: Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC)- Canada Access Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities
-The Canada Access Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities is awarded to high-need students with permanent disabilities who must cover the cost of educational and living expenses that exceeds the amount covered by Canada Student Loan and provincial financial assistance. Delivered by: Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC)- Children First School Choice Grant (Educational Grant)
-Children First: School Choice Trust is Canada's first privately funded program to help families improve their educational choices. Children First offers tuition assistance grants, so that parents who could not otherwise afford it can choose an independent elementary school for their children. Please note: At this time, this grant is only accessible to families living in the Calgary area.- Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism
-The Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation awards grants on an annual basis to non-profit organizations and schools that provide services, education and advocacy for children with autism spectrum disorder and to organizations that conduct research on the causes and effects of autism. Grant Guidelines are posted on our website each year in July. - Euclid Herie Awards - CNIB Edmonton (780) 488-4871
-The Euclid Herie Award recognizes leadership in community investment; role modeling; personal, charitable or business achievement or leadership; teaching or mentorship; research; public speaking or advocacy on behalf of people with vision loss; or other significant contributions which inspire achievement throughout the disabled community. It is open to individuals of all ages living in Alberta and NWT.- Mandin Award
-The Mandin Award was established in 1991 in memory of Maurice, Susan, Islay, and Janelle Mandin. Maurice and Susan Mandin were teachers with a sincere interest in children with special needs. Isaly and Janelle,
their daughters, were students. The Award has two purposes. The primary one is to provide resources that will have the greatest positive impact for children from age 4-21 within Alberta. The second goal is to encourage those children who receive funds to pursue their educational goals with enthusiasm and confidence.- Phyllis Davidson Easter Seal Scholarship - Alberta Easter Seals - (403) 235-1716
-Easter Seals Alberta is once again, pleased to offer post-secondary scholarships to students with physical Paying for college is difficult at best, but Easter Seals Alberta through the generosity of the founder of the Phyllis Davidson Easter Seals Scholarship is offering an academic scholarship to help ease the financial responsibility of post-secondary schooling to students living with the challenge of a disability.- Siobhan Isabella Reid Memorial Scholarship
Scholarships will be presented annually to a full-time student attending an Alberta University. The amount of each scholarship will not be less than $800 and will be awarded to the student enrolled in a program which will lead to that individual being able to assist children and adults with learning disabilities. The student may be enrolled in any faculty of any university within Alberta.
Helpful Educational Information:
- Special Education Coding Criteria
why your child has been assigned a specific coding (found on your child's IPP). These codings provide programming support and funding to your child's school authority.