About AACT

Albertans Advocating for Change Together (AACT) is an Alberta self-advocacy network of people with developmental disabilities and their allies. The idea for the group came from the 2009 Self-Advocacy Summit. We are a united Alberta network that learns about issues and advocates passionately for positive change in society.

The group has met to talk about what we will do and how we will work together. We will use this website to keep people up-to-date about the network. Here is our logo. It shows one hand for each region all working together.

AACT's vision is a better world in which everyone is accepted.

Who can be part of AACT? Self-advocates and self-advocacy groups can be part of AACT. It costs $15/year to get everything in the mail (Paper member) or only $5/year to get everything by email (Email member). Members get a membership card, newsletters and personal invitations to AACT events, such as the Self-Advocacy Summits and annual general meetings. Click here for the membership form.

Who runs AACT? We have a Council made up of two self-advocate representatives from each region. Each region decides how it picks its representatives. At least six representatives and three regions must be at a meeting for decisions to be made. Anyone can come to Council meetings and speak, but only the representatives can vote.

The representatives must talk to groups and self-advocates in their region to find out what is happening and what they think. They must be prepared for meetings.

AACT may have committees work on activities like communication and workshops. Sometimes members volunteer to work on an action together. We also use our meetings to take action.

Each meeting has two co-chairs from different regions. The co-chairs run the meeting.

The Council meets most months on Zoom on the fourth Monday at 2:00 p.m. If you send an email to AACT at alberta.act@gmail.com asking to join a meeting, we will send you the Zoom link.

 

What does AACT do? We talk to the government to make sure self-advocate voices are heard. We also share what groups around Alberta do to put self-advocacy in action.  We talk with the government about what people want and how we can work together.

We also write letters about issues that are important to us. Transportation is one of those issues. We sent letters to the Alberta Minister of Transportation to say how cuts to bus service in Alberta affect people who do not drive or have a car. This affects people with disabilities, seniors and other people who are poor. We sometimes make videos about issues. See our AISH page for a video we made about the cost of meds on AISH.

We will need money and support to meet and make plans. We will also need money and support for newsletters and our website. We are a registered Society. 

 

It is important that everyone feels welcome and safe to participate in AACT meetings. In 2024, we wrote down rules to help us do this:

·  We all share ownership, power and leadership of AACT as equals.

·  Be someone who brings people together rather than creating division.

·   Accept people as they are and see the good in them.

·  Everyone has strengths and it is our job to find out what they are.

·   Help others take part in discussions and activities so that everyone is included.

·   Be curious and open to different ways of seeing things.

·  Share your ideas and say what you think.

·   Ask questions if you do not understand, like “Can you say that a different way?”

·   Ask for help if you need it. This includes issues with technology.

·  Check in with others so they get the emotional support they need from the group.

·   Be kind. Wish the best for others, then help them be successful.

·  Share the load so work does not always fall on one person.

·   Do what you say you will do. Ask for help if you have too many tasks or get overwhelmed.

·  Keep private things private. (If it is not in the minutes, it is private. If you use an AI notetaker, do not share those notes with anyone else.)

·   Stick to the topic so we can get things done.

·   Mute yourself if there are noises or other people around you, so everyone can hear.

·  If someone cannot live up to the rules, their region can make the decision about replacing them.

 
You can contact AACT at alberta.act@gmail.com.
AACT
3420 Underwood Place NW
Calgary, AB  T2N 4G7