It’s time to unify the disability movement

 By Al Etmanski and Kathleen O’Grady There needs to be a political price for neglecting persons with disabilities The one-time $600 federal payment to cover the extraordinary COVID-19 expenses incurred by Canadians with disabilities finally received Royal Assent – but it’s too little, too late and reaches too few. The

Family dinner planning made easy

 By Kathleen O’Grady — Meal kits turned our dinner time routine from drudgery to adventure Here we were again, dinner time, with two hungry kids and two tired adults, working full out and full time. And all of us, BORED OF ALL THE FOODS.  We couldn’t order out again and

Here’s What Happens When I Write About Parenting a Child with Autism for the Mainstream Media

 I’m not entirely sure why I write about my personal experiences parenting a child with autism for the mainstream media.  Mostly I hope my own experiences may help someone else on their autism journey – and they won’t stumble through as I have done in the early days.  Parenting a

What Real Inclusion Looks Like

 How community building to include kids of all abilities is important for everyone. Getting to be a valued member of their community should be the norm for all kids – but for kids with autism, it is too frequently not the case. Media stories are full of parental struggles to

Three Things the Federal Government Can Do to Improve the Registered Disability Savings Plan

 Many of us in the disability community were pleasantly surprised when the Liberal party promised to create a National Disabilities Act that would safeguard disability rights, reduce systemic barriers and establish a foundation of opportunity for those affected by disability.  Canada is an outlier among developed nations for not having

Three Things Everyone Should Know About Autism in Canada

 Canadian governments have done little to address the crisis faced by autism families across the country. This sentiment was true in 2007 when it was put forward in the cross-party Senate report on the state of funding for the treatment of autism in Canada, aptly titled, Pay Now or Pay

How to talk to a child with autism

 Three easy steps for making sure all children are included in the holiday festivities by Kathleen O’Grady   The holiday season means most of us will be socializing with colleagues and neighbours, friends and family.  Chances are good this circle of friendly acquaintances and loved ones will include a child