Families have recently become aware that many members of the government (MLAs) may think that families and individuals with developmental disabilities consider themselves to be "entitled". The Autism Society of Edmonton Area (ASEA) and Families Forward have taken this to mean that members of the government do not understand the very real day-to-day struggles that families of children and adult children with autism and other developmental disabilities experience. We feel that MLAs and other political candidates need to be educated about families’ concerns.

To this end, ASEA and Families Forward are looking for families from each constituency who are willing to help build relationships with MLAs to help them understand the challenges families face and the very real contributions families and their children make.

If you are interested in participating in building an ongoing relationship with your MLA, and would like to participate in a network of families who will be doing so, please let us know. We will be bringing interested families in the Edmonton area together in late February for discussion and planning.

Please let us know if you are interested. Send your name and phone number to the coordinators below. If you email, please put "Family Network" in the subject line.
We look forward to hearing from you.

Deborah Barrett, PhD
Director, Community Awareness and Development
Autism Society of Edmonton Area
101, 11720 Kingsway Avenue
Edmonton, AB T5G 0X5
Phone: (780) 453-3971
dbarrett@interbaun.com
 
or
 
Renate Burwash
Manager, Family Mentorship
Gateway Association for Community Living
201, 11803 125 Street
Edmonton, AB T5L 0S1
Phone: (780)454-0701 ext. 233
renate.burwash@gatewayacl.org