The Voice - SAIPA with Mark & Leah

Join me as we talk with Mark and Leah about SAIPA and learn about their workshops, events and resources that are available to the community and how they work with  individuals with disabilities .

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Teresa Makarewich, VAD Program & Services Manager  

Welcome to the voice of Albertans with Disabilities podcast for July 2023. I'm
Teresa Makarewich, your host and VADs program and services manager. Thanks for joining us today. In today's podcast, I'll be talking to Leah Dormaar an advocacy coordinator and Mark Davids an executive director from Southern Alberta Individualized Planning Association, or SAIPA, a VAD organizational member. 

 VAD has been talking with our Members to learn about the resources that are available to the disability community, and I wanted to get SAIPA on the podcast to discuss the resources this organization provides. Together we hold the power. 

 According to their website, there are not-for-profit charitable organizations supporting people with disabilities to drive change in their communities as engaged and empowered citizens, Southern Alberta Individualized Planning Association assists people with disabilities to gain self determination, skills and an understanding of human rights through workshops, Advocacy and resources. Please welcome Leah and Mark. 

 Leah Dormaar, SAIPA Advocacy Coordinator 

Thanks
for having us today. 

Mark Davids, SAIPA ED 

Thanks for having us.

Teresa
Makarewich, VAD Program & Services Manager  

Can you guys introduce yourself? 

Mark
Davids, SAIPA ED 

My
name is Mark Davids. I'm the executive director here at the southern Alberta Individualized Planning Association, or SAIPA. 

Leah Dormaar, SAIPA Advocacy Coordinator 

Thank you and I'm Leah Dormaar. I'm the advocacy coordinator here for SAIPA as well. 

Teresa
Makarewich, VAD Program & Services Manager  

Thanks guys. So I have a few questions about your organization to gather information for our listeners. So can you tell us who southern Alberta Individualized Planning Association is as an organization? 

Mark
Davids, SAIPA ED 

So SAIPA has actually got a very long history. The organization itself started back in 1986. Back then, the act right of this organization acted as a brokerage between people looking for services in the government. And so that's kind of where
our name comes from, individualized planning association. Obviously
the needs have changed over the years. The government takes care of a lot of
that negotiating themselves, so SAIPA itself also needed to change. And they saw a really good opportunity in providing people with skills to be able to be self
advocates, to be able to provide them with tools, to make choices for themselves, because obviously there's a really long history Here in Alberta, as well as Canada itself and the disability rights movement. 

After that change over right around like in the in the late 90s, early 2000s. We shifted to. What we are today, which is an advocacy organization that works with adults with developmental disabilities. And we provide  Different resources and tools that people Otherwise wouldn't have access to. 

Teresa
Makarewich, VAD Program & Services Manager  

You mentioned that you work with people with developmental disabilities. Are you a
PDD focused organization? 

Mark Davids, SAIPA ED 

We do receive, we have a contract with PDD and then we also do a number of
fundraising events so the Community can help support and broaden our ability to
get into the Community in and around southern Alberta.  We're not just our,
Our office is located here in Lethbridge, but we actually work in all the different
communities here in southern Alberta. 

Teresa
Makarewich, VAD Program & Services Manager  

Can you give a little bit more history about the organization? 

Mark Davids, SAIPA ED 

Yeah.
And so SAIPA is also in support of another group called the South Region Self
Advocacy Network. So back, I believe was in 2002, they held conference with
leadership today and brainstorm What they wanted to Do. How are we going to make
A change here in southern Alberta. So SAIPA has been providing support to the group Sarsan last is 23, almost 24 years now, and this organization is made-up and Run by adults With disabilities and SAIPA provides support to them over this period
of time as they've been involved with a number of things including advocating around intelligence Tests, IQ tests, safety requirements, applications helping a plain language translation with AISH applications And that's just our Sarsan.   SAIPA itself has been working on a number of awareness events. We now have a long standing and we're
coming up on the 13th annual Citizen Walkabout event, where we all get together
to raise awareness about disability rights here in southern Alberta. Where we
take a March from City Hall down to our local golf Gardens. Just to make sure
that The community is broadly aware of things that we're doing. So we, we
have a number of things  On the go and we don't try to  Try we try to Stay connected with the community as much as we can. 

Teresa Makarewich, VAD Program & Services Manager  

How does Southern Alberta Individualized Planning Association help people in the
community? You mentioned you provide tools. What kind of tools are available for them?  

Mark Davids, SAIPA ED 

One of the biggest. Things I ever mentioned was Sarsan, so we provide support and
the background, the backbone to Sarsan to help it function as smoothly as it
possibly can. We also offer a number of workshops, so we put out a regular
schedule of workshops every year that include everything from abuse prevention
to anti bullying, to how to be a self-advocate to how to be on boards
committees and be a member in the community and we're always adding to these
workshops as well. So we have everything else that ranges from how to use smart
devices, how to do it, make a good first impression. We're working right now on
new workshop on how to resolve conflicts with your roommates because often
people are in supportive roommate Settings or in Group home settings so those
are another Ave. to provide people with those tools or that information that
would otherwise have. 

We also have a sexuality and healthy relationships workshop which is also very popular. Just a great number of workshops that also then ties in with the resource library that we have here so anyone can come at anytime and take something for the resource library or they can come and approach us where we're able to help provide some direct support on whatever issue that they're, they're, they might be working on. And then of course, then we also have the number of Community events we provide support to the different agencies and family managed service Groups here in southern Alberta whenever we can. That's kind of that's kind of a  General gist of  What we do? 

Teresa
Makarewich, VAD Program & Services Manager  

You mentioned anyone can come in for help with the resources that you have
available. Is there membership? 

Mark Davids, SAIPA ED 

Open to the community so anyone can come on in and, and we will do our best to help
them. 

Teresa Makarewich, VAD Program & Services Manager  

OK, perfect. And what kind of programs does your organization offer the community? 

Mark Davids, SAIPA ED 

So in terms of Programs like that would be like our workshops   Sarsan the Resource library. We the other One that I didn't mention is we also offer a plain language translation service, and so that's where we get a group of people from Sarsan
and we work together to provide a tran, a plain language translation of a document. Things we've done in the past include that AISH application form we most recently helped the University of Calgary Plain language there Survey about the impacts of COVID on the disability sector and as well as the results that came afterwards. And so
we, we offer that whenever it comes up and we're always trying to help because
obviously the greater the access to information, the. Better for everyone. 

Teresa Makarewich, VAD Program & Services Manager  

What are some of the cool things or projects that SAIPA has done in the community or
has upcoming? 

Mark Davids, SAIPA ED 

Yeah, it's a good time to talk About citizen walkabout. 

Leah Dormaar, SAIPA Advocacy Coordinator 

So,
as Mark had said, we are in the planning stages of our 13th annual citizen
Walkabout. So this year our theme is together, we are strong and we're celebrating
resiliency. So the group decided that they really wanted to celebrate The resiliency of the struggles and the barriers that everyone has gone through over the last couple of
Years with the COVID-19 pandemic. You know, we, we just, we Chose the theme just as that reflection of overcoming those barriers and coming out on the other side of it stronger and  more connected and with our citizen walkabout This year, we wanted to celebrate that  and you know, despite those barriers that that everyone had had had
experience that we're still connected as a, As a  Group and as a network and they wanted  To celebrate that, so really looking forward to the event this year, it's.
Going to be hopefully bigger and better and. We've got a lot of different  People that
are, are coming, coming on board. We'll have some Tycho drummers and some that are Aboriginal dancers will be performing as well as we're going to be having a talent showcase. Individuals from the community and just a, a time to reconnect. Fundraising barbecue and we do sell T-shirts as well. I think it's going to be a great day as long as the weather holds out for us. So yeah, it's, it's we're starting to get to a lot of momentum and hopefully everything comes together on September 15. 

Mark Davids, SAIPA ED 

And it, it's, it's worth mentioning too that. Citizen walkabout just in the last
few years started right just before COVID. And then COVID. I was sitting the
damper on things, but again, more recently CWA used to be very centralized here
in Lethbridge, but it is now popping up in other communities as. Well, yeah,
yeah. 

Leah Dormaar, SAIPA Advocacy Coordinator 

So
this year Tabor Medicine Hat and Brooks Also joining us On the same day on
September 15th, so they will also have their own citizen walkabouts in their
communities and, you know, provide celebration and that awareness event as well. So our plan is to, to Hopefully next year, have them on different days so that people from Lethbridge can go and support People in medicine had Brooks and Tabor and just make it a bigger event as well  And for, for everyone to to celebrate each other and to reconnect. So yeah. 

Teresa Makarewich, VAD Program & Services Manager  

That's awesome. You should send your information to us and we'll pop it in the newsletter as well.

Leah Dormaar, SAIPA Advocacy Coordinator 

Absolutely We will. Speaking of newsletters as well, Sarsan also puts out a newsletter
called The Ripple. We have a a committee that puts together the ripple every
couple months and we do things around like events that are happening, different
topics that are important to the to the, the group and it goes out to our
membership as well. 

Teresa
Makarewich, VAD Program & Services Manager  

As well. Can you share your thoughts on how SAIPA contributes to the disability
community to help better people's lives? 

Mark Davids, SAIPA ED 

So
aside from obviously all the, the different programs and awareness events that
we do, I would also say one of our greatest strengths here is the connections
that we make with people .we are connected with a lot of the people that
regularly volunteer with us as well as people that we meet through the agencies
and family managed groups and we're always available if anyone needs some extra
support or help dealing with an issue. We're always here. Anyone can call us at
anytime. I think that's one of the the greatest things about us is that you
call our number You're speaking With us. You know, a lot of other places, it's
like, OK, you gotta push zero and get put on hold. No, we're always here, and
we're always willing to help however we can. 

Leah Dormaar, SAIPA Advocacy Coordinator 

And we're very we're very able to adapt to the different topics, circumstances that
people are experiencing issues, you know we, we don't fit into one little box
we, we have a broad array of, of experience and knowledge between the two of us
and you know we can we can help and, and if we don't have the resources. You
know we we're, we're here To connect them With the appropriate people out in
the. Community as well as. If not, just making a phone call, actually taking
them to the place that needs to be to help build that relationship with the
other person or agency That they might need that connection. 

Mark Davids, SAIPA ED 

Yeah, PDD sometimes says, oh, I didnt you know You did that great. 

Teresa Makarewich, VAD Program & Services Manager  

Always nice when you hear that from the community. How large is your organization and are there volunteer opportunities for people? 

Mark Davids, SAIPA ED 

We're, we're definitely on the smaller side, so we only have full two full time
employees, myself and Leah and we have a few other casual staff. There's
definitely volunteer opportunities. Number one would be the ripple, the
different committees that Sarsan and puts on, including things like that
Transit, Transit committee.  Yeah, CWA planning education planning. So there there's definitely volunteer opportunities here for people. 

Teresa Makarewich, VAD Program & Services Manager  

Can you tell us how someone can get a hold of SAIPA to access services or resources? 

Mark Davids, SAIPA ED 

So you can give us a call at any. So our office number is. 403 320 1515 we also
have two general emails, so one is the e-mail that comes to me, which is just
mail MAIL@saipa.org or you can contact Leah directly at advocacy@saipa.org. 

Leah Dormaar, SAIPA Advocacy Coordinator 

we also have Our source on Facebook page as well as the SAIPA Facebook page and
our website, the Facebook pages are a little bit more up to date Right  As I'm pretty active on those pages with information and updating things like that, but we're slowly but surely getting our, our website more up to date. 

Mark Davids, SAIPA ED 

As well, technology. 

Teresa Makarewich, VAD Program & Services Manager  

Yeah, yeah, we just updated our website to make it more inclusive as well. It was a
big overhaul. What is an interesting fact about SAIPA that everyone should know. 

Mark Davids, SAIPA ED 

I think well, I. Think one of the most interesting things is just how long SAIPA has
been here, so since 1986. I always find That continually interesting, but I
think it's also really interesting how many people. We have connected with
overtime, so we have people that come through the door all the time, wait and
they'll see a picture of someone else. Like I know that person like, yeah,
we've been all over southern Alberta like we probably if you're. Thinking of
someone we probably know them. 

Leah Dormaar, SAIPA Advocacy Coordinator 

That which is always a really neat feeling with the Sarsen group that is part of
what I support as well the things that they've been able to accomplish. Over
the years, as a network, you know, like Mark was saying, the things around putting AISH into plain language, working with the government on safety standards and changing legislation and being able to have their voices heard as a network and, and being able to make those positive changes. In 2008, they were also nominated and chosen to for the President's award through the Ability Resource Center to Just acknowledge their all their advocacy work that they've done throughout the years and a big chunk of our membership have been they have been part of Sarsan since the very beginning. So we've had some people who have been a part of Sarsan for 20 some And their, their willingness and their, their involvement in Sarsan has never wavered.
It's still there at our meetings They’re involved in all the committees, their you know, and they still have a great pride in the work that Sarsan does and are still wanting to keep plugging away and dealing with all you. Know all the All the different issues that that arise, and it's really, really awesome and empowering and encouraging to see all that, just the dedication, I guess the dedication is the word were looking for, yeah. 

Teresa Makarewich, VAD Program & Services Manager  

Guys guys have mentioned membership a couple times. Is there a paid membership for your organization? 

Leah Dormaar, SAIPA Advocacy Coordinator 

Yeah, so, Sarsan does have a paid membership, so it is $10.00 for the year and that
gets you access to all of our meetings  All of our emails the Ripple can You'll get a
copy of the Ripple as well. And just to be a part of That that Network, yes. 

Mark Davids, SAIPA ED 

And the ability to vote for the. 

Leah Dormaar, SAIPA Advocacy Coordinator 

And the, the Ability to vote for our when we do our nominations for our executive committee.   

Teresa Makarewich, VAD Program & Services Manager  

OK. Is there anything else you'd like to say today to our audience or that I Should
be asking you?  

Leah Dormaar, SAIPA Advocacy Coordinator 

One of the Things the other things that Sarson is working on right now, we have a
due to due to COVID and, and how everything shut down we don't have a lot of
our committees that are actively pursuing things right now except for our
transit committee. So, our transit committee has been working on, we've, we've
created a survey to send out to Agencies and individuals around accessibility
and safety of our Lethbridge transit system. We've they've really there's been
a really huge impact on individuals due to the changes with our transit system
and within the new the new system That they've put in place the information that
Has been sent out and has been dispersed Is not really aligning with the, the
things that we're hearing from the individuals around safety and accessibility,
things like that. 

So we worked with a research student from the university and came up with our own survey. And so that survey will be used to collect our own data so that we can in turn take that and Put it into a. Report and launch our come walk with me or Come ride with Me challenge. 

So what that is, is going to be we are going to invite members of City Council and people involved in the transit system to come and ride the bus as they were a person with a physical or developmental disability and ride it as though They were that person and so that they can see the barriers that they're, They're experiencing while they're riding the transit, whether it be around the accessibility, the safety that they're feeling, the, the troubles and struggles that they're having with  Actually booking the bus or booking the accessor ride buses, those kind of things. So we are we've completed the, the survey and we're just ready to launch it and, and send it out to everybody and then hopefully sooner like in the middle of the OR the beginning of the fall, we'll be able to put all of our, our data together and then And launch that come right with me challenge. 

Teresa Makarewich, VAD Program & Services Manager  

That sounds fantastic actually, and I'm guessing it will be in plain language. 

OK. Well, thank you for your time and energy today guys. Your support of the Community is a value to all. Southern Alberta Individualized Planning Association is an organizational Member of VAD. And are linked to their website, can be accessed on our membership list online. Individuals looking to access bad members can do so at vadsociety.ca/social-action. Thank you again for joining our Podcast today. Voice of Albertans with disability is a cross disability nonprofit organization and for people with disabilities, we are guided by principles of accessibility, equity and inclusion. Learn more about VAD services on our website at vadsociety.ca or call 7-8. Zero 488-9088 For more information. If you have a topic you would like to hear more about in our podcast, please e-mail myself at Vad@Vadsociety.ca with topic ideas, speaker suggestions, or your feedback. Signing off for the day together We hold the power.