Hello,

Since 2001, PDD has provided funding for the Community Research Program (CRP) with the goal of learning more about the issues that face families and adults with developmental disabilities, and we have. Funded projects have explored topics such as how to develop community councils, supporting individuals with developmental disabilities to tell their life stories, and finding new ways to support people in their homes and communities.

While the CRP has been successful in providing us with valuable information; we would like to have more family members and adults with developmental disabilities involved in generating ideas for projects and being directly involved in them. We learned that one reason for this lack of involvement was that the application process was difficult for some people.

Beginning this year, the CRP will no longer use an application process. Instead, we will hold a yearly conference where family members and adults with developmental disabilities can come together to tell us their ideas. Support will be provided so that people can talk about their ideas, bring their ideas to life, and be able to work with others interested in the same topic.

Our first conference is in Edmonton on Saturday and Sunday, March 3, and 4 at the Delta Edmonton Centre Suite Hotel. The conference is free for those attending. To make sure we hear from people from all parts of the province, gas costs for travel and hotel rooms for a limited number of families, guardians and adults with developmental disabilities from out of town will be covered. Breakfast and lunch will be free for everyone attending the conference. Free, quality child care services will be available at the hotel for people who need this service.

At the conference, people will get together to talk about their ideas and to come up with some plans they think should be funded. We will have people helping out during the conference to make sure you feel comfortable and that your ideas are heard.

On Friday March 2, we are offering a pre-conference workshop to help people get ready for the weekend event. (You don't have to attend to be involved in the conference, but you may find the workshop helpful for developing your ideas before the conference).

We hope to have 40 to 50 people attend the conference, with family members and adults with developmental disabilities the biggest number of people attending. To make sure this happens, we are saving most of the spots for families and individuals and limiting registration for others.

Please consider attending this conference. We want to hear from you. Attached is a poster that provides more information about this event and how to register. You can also call our staff if you have any questions.

The entire event is free and space is limited so make sure you register early!

Thanks and we look forward to seeing you there!
Tim Weinkauf
Annik Foreman
Barrie Heemeryck

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