About

Nearly 60 years ago families had to plow hard ground to find ways for the sons and daughters to find belonging in the community, in schools and even within families. These pioneering families found little pieces of success among many struggles. They connected to other families and found that sharing their pathways to success made it easier for others to follow. Their vision created innovative community-based supports and services that performed well at what they were created to do. But they were only stepping stones to what real community engagement truly is.

Families created Inclusion Lethbridge (then LACL) as a collection point for the wisdom and experiences to be shared, and their grassroots innovations for inclusion would be passed on. This organization was founded on the values that every person has an important contribution to make to the community and that that contribution can best be made on an inclusive pathway with the knowledge that families are the most invested in good outcomes.

We have always seen and embraced the whole person, the whole family, and the whole community. We do this by resisting categorization based on disability or assessment and segregated participation over a lifetime. It is well documented that the meaningful engagement of diverse populations enhances the wellbeing of society and in turn the well being of all. Inclusion Lethbridge holds this responsibility to our community in the highest regard.

The families of Inclusion Lethbridge hired staff to have an unwavering commitment to family leadership and to uphold their deep conviction that no disability precludes full citizenship.

Our work and structure lead us to all corners of the community without limitations or conflicts of interest. We work in partnership with all stakeholders because finding belonging cannot be achieved by engulfing people in services. We work to make fundamental changes in the lives of citizens with developmental disabilities.

Our Mission, Vision, and Values

OUR MISSION

To empower individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities in collaboration with their families to have good and worthy lives, included and

valued without discrimination, enjoying all the rights and responsibilities of full human citizenship.

OUR VISION

Everyone is fully included, living with dignity in their communities, participating, contributing, and respected for the whole of their lives.

OUR VALUES

We value the agency of families, and their experience, knowledge, and dreams for their loved ones with a disability.
We value individuals with developmental disabilities. Their experience, knowledge, hopes, and dreams guides us to support their efforts to live rich and full lives.
We value strong and healthy communities and believe they are diverse, welcoming, and inclusive.
We value the whole person. We believe public funded services can support individuals to live rich meaningful lives in their communities. We believe these services are most effective when directed by individuals and their families.
We value relationships, connections, and supporting each other.
We value advocacy for improving and influencing systems and social policies.

Funded services can be a support to individuals striving for a rich meaningful life in the real community but to be effective these services need to be directed by the individual or their family.

Our

History

1952

Inclusion Lethbridge's journey began with a group of parents that had a vision for their son or daughter to live, learn and play as valued or at least accepted members of the community.

They had been told by medical professionals, Social Workers, Educators and others in the community that their children needed to be sent to institutions and forgotten.

1955

Dorothy Gooder was convinced that all students should have the same opportunities. She believed innovative, creative teachers could be found and asked to adapt the way they taught.

Parents initiated a pilot project to have their children in a classroom to demonstrate that kids with disabilities can learn and teachers can teach.

School program established for six students by parents and volunteers. The first class was in Kintown Clubroom School.The Lethbridge and District Associated for Retarded Children was organized.

1957

This group of parents and enlightened citizens form the foundation of Inclusion Lethbridge and formally incorporate the organization on July 16, 1957.

1959

With volunteer dollars and government help, Dorothy Gooder School was built for 50 studentsThe organization helped build the school named it after parent and visionary Dorothy Gooder.

The school was segregated, but not because she wanted it to be. It was because Ron, her son, could not get into the neighbourhood school. Dorothy started the school as a demonstration that learning was possible. She successfully proved her point!

1965

First “Flowers of Hope” campaign in Lethbridge.

1966

School enlarged to accommodate 60 students, many from the surrounding district.

1967

As families were drawn to the school from outlying areas parents realized that some students needed a place to stay during the week to ease the need to commute long distances every day. This was the forerunner to residential services in Lethbridge.

PRESIDENTS:

Dorothy Gooder
William Stanton
Roy Whitfield
Beth Sweitzer
Dave Roberts
Jake McCallum
John Thackray

1968

As students graduated school they needed employment opportunities so they started the greenhouse and garden known as Sunrise Ranch. This gave rise to more vocational services and supports.First Executive Director of the Inclusion Lethbridge, Len Wright, was hired. In 1973, he moved to Edmonton to take on the responsibilities of the Executive Director of the Alberta Association.

The first Auction was held at the Lethbridge Exhibition Park. Families raised $1475.

The Lethbridge Association coordinates transportation for family visits to and from Michener Center.

1969

Oliver House I is opened as a children’s residence. This was helpful to families who lived outside of Lethbridge. Their children could attend Dorothy Gooder during the week and the return home to be with their families on the weekends.

First Greenhouse built at Sunrise Ranch to serve adults who needed vocational services. As students graduated from Dorothy Gooder School, parents allowed themselves to move onto the next step and allowed Lethbridge School District #51 take over the running of the Dorothy Gooder School.

1970

Name changed to Lethbridge Association for the Mentally Retarded (LAMR).

Woodwork program started at Sunrise Ranch.

1971

Second Greenhouse completed.

Social-domestic program began at Sunrise Ranch.Oliver II residence completed.

1973

Com-Serv concept promoted for comprehensive Community-Based Service System with families running services and fundraising.

Malcolm Jeffreys was Executive Director of Inclusion Lethbridge.

1974

Lethbridge became the first Experimental and Demonstrated Com-Serv Project in Canada for the next five years.

Bricks and mortar services are turned over to agencies. LACL (LAMR) continues monitoring, advocacy and advocacy and advisory role.

LAMR turned over operation of all facilities to Com-Serv Board.

LAMR now able to concentrate on support programs for people with developmental disabilities.

LAMR developing monitoring and advisory task forces to safeguard the quality of services provided.

The Parent to Parent Support group began.

Family and volunteer training and development were extensive as informed connected families proved to be the most effective advocates.

1975

Tom Cain began as Executive Director of Inclusion Lethbridge.

PRESIDENTS:

Nina Kuzyk
Joyce Dunlop
Betty Anderson
Anna Penner

1980

The Com-Serv project came to an end and had demonstrated the benefits of community living, planning centered around the person and conscientious service coordination.

Much was left to be done to develop needed services and a “true-system” to accomplish this.One key principle emerged with a great clarity for the Association: to center all planning and services provision around the needs of the individual being served.

Southern Alberta Community Living Association established to create homes.

Citizens Resource Centre for the Handicapped developed to continue coordination.LAMR continued to be strong support and advocacy organization.

1981

Inclusion Lethbridge aggressively promoted the repatriation to the community of all individuals living in institutions.

1982

Celebrated our 25th Anniversary.

1983

24-hour planning seminar for “people with complex needs.”

1984

At the request of people with developmental disabilities, self-advocates and their families, LAMR changed its name to The People First Association of Lethbridge.

Dorothy Gooder School closed as a segregated school. The community had learned that kids with and without disabilities enhance each other’s school experience.

1987

At the request of people with developmental disabilities, self-advocates and their families, LAMR changed its name to The People First Association of Lethbridge.

Dorothy Gooder School closed as a segregated school. The community had learned that kids with and without disabilities enhance each other’s school experience.s.

PRESIDENTS:

Joyce Dunlop
Ken Newton
Bill Secretan
Anna Penner
Betty Grigg
Myrtle Wilson

1989

University of Lethbridge co-sponsored “Classroom as Inclusive Community” course.

Dr. /Father Patrick Mackan moves to Lethbridge.

1990

“Kids Belong Together” video wins prestigious CabPro Award.

1991

Families and individuals push for more choice in services and this leads to the opportunity for Individualised Funding for adult services.

1992

Named changed to Lethbridge Association for Community Living (LACL).Sibshop Conference

1993

Numerous Public Meetings about government budget cuts.

AACL starts “Family Conferences.”Helped to facilitate the start of Friendship Series Bible Study at Barb Michealis’s home.

1995

Safeguards Seminar to Prevent Abuse and/ or How to Deal with Abuse (led to different types of abuse being reported and dealt with.)

1996

Planned Lifetime Advocacy Networks (PLAN) initiated at Inclusion Lethbridge. Four pioneering families start.

1997

Safe and Secure book was published.

PRESIDENTS

Mary Hyder
Janet Ross
Barb Nish
Miriam Ciarciaglini

1998

The School Health Special Needs Research Project brings attention to the provincial government that more services are required to meet the special needs of students in the province. 2 out of 3 children’s needs are not being met.

Regional organizations fighting for special needs funding from the provincial government; advocating for directing funding away from institutions and into community living agencies instead. Some parents of disabled children disagree, especially concerning transportation, with the possibility of regionalization.

1999

Lethbridge College Pilot Program in the beginning stages. People with disabilities are now able to experience a post-secondary education.

2005

The Association published Our journey: To What Ought to Be. A book telling the stories of local families finding pathways to a good life and reminding others on their journey that they are not alone.

2006

Hosted and lead a day with the Southwestern Teachers Association.

Worked with the great people from the PLAN Institute to make the Registered Disability Savin.gs Plan a reality for Canadians with disabilities.

2007

Celebrated 50th Anniversary.

2008

The Association successfully lobbied to have the Federal Registered Disability Savings Plan exempt from all provincial social programs. There were ongoing presentations on the RDSP in partnership with the Federal Government and Provincial Plan Affiliates.

2011

The Association published Safe and Secure Alberta RDSP Edition with the 2 other PLAN Affiliates in Alberta.

2015

The Association changed their name from Lethbridge Association for Community Living to Inclusion Lethbridge.

2016

The Association opened our Family Managed Services Resource Centre to help families guide timely, meaningful focused support for their loved one with a developmental disability.