Alberta’s government will launch a new program for Albertans with disabilities in 2026. Wichayada Suwannachun/Dreamstime.com

By Jayk Sterkenburg

HEALTH CARE

New Alberta program will provide ‘pathways to employment’ for those with disabilities

Feb 4, 2025 | 1:05 PM

Alberta’s government will launch a new program for Albertans with disabilities in July 2026, so they can receive the support they need while pursuing meaningful careers.

The province said that Albertans with disabilities and the organizations that support them have said “loud and clear” they want supports that meet their unique needs and abilities.

This would be in place of the current one-size-fits-all solution.

In response to the request, the government is creating a new Alberta Disability Assistance Program.

“People with disabilities should not be punished for getting a job,” Jason Nixon, Seniors, Community and Social Services Minister said in a statement Tuesday.

The province said that people with disabilities shouldn’t have to choose between getting the support they need and having the opportunity to pursue a meaningful career.

“Every dollar they earn on a paycheque should be helping make them better off, not threatening their access to the medication they need,” said Nixon.

He said that he’s excited to announce the new program.

“I look forward to seeing the positive impact that it will have on Albertans with disabilities.”

The new benefit program is meant to empower Albertans with disabilities to pursue fulfilling job opportunities, while continuing to receive the benefits they need.

The province said that ADAP was thoughtfully designed based on input from Albertans with disabilities.

This input “stressed the importance of providing pathways to employment” for individuals who are able to work, but still need supports.

Albertans on ADAP will be able to earn more from working while continuing to receive their financial benefits, with higher earning exemptions than any other program.

To support this, the province will be investing more to expand employment supports and encourage private sector employers, to break down barriers to employment for people with disabilities.

By providing pathways to employment for individuals who are able to work but still need supports, the province wants to empower people with disabilities to pursue their passions.

This is with the intention of leading to a greater sense of purpose, and improved quality of life.

Greg McMeekin, Alberta’s advocate for persons with disabilities, said that he believes in empowering persons with disabilities to reach their full potential.

“I also strongly believe that all people deserve to pursue their goals and aspirations without barriers,” he said.

“By creating this program, the province is making it easier for Albertans to find success.”

Those on ADAP will also be able to receive the health benefits they need, regardless of their employment income.

The new program will ensure more Albertans with disabilities can enjoy the benefits of working like earning a paycheque, developing skills and building relationships, while still receiving supports that meet their unique needs and abilities.

Marie Renaud, Alberta NDP Shadow Minister for Community and Social Service, issued the following statement in response:

“The Alberta NDP caucus has been clear for years that disabled Albertans are unemployed at twice the rate as their non-disabled peers and that is unacceptable.

“Without accessibility legislation and targeted investment in inclusive employment that reality won’t change for the province’s more than one million disabled Albertans. All Albertans should have access to prosperity.

“The UCP government’s response to chronic unemployment and underemployment for disabled Albertans has opened the door to change eligibility for Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped. This is a program that supports a fraction of the disability community and will not impact unemployment rates for people with disabilities.

“It is alarming that the UCP government has given themselves the power to go through the list of the 77,000 AISH recipients and decide which of those people should be working and supporting themselves and who doesn’t need to. This will also apply to future AISH recipients.

“It’s galling to hear the minister talk about how this program will be transparent when none of the other disability support programs have any degree of transparency.

“The UCP government has no plan to identify, remove and prevent barriers to employment for people with disabilities, all they have is a plan with no details to remove people from AISH.

“It is abundantly clear that the UCP government is not interested in changing the overall picture of employment for people with disabilities but is more interested in changing the AISH program’s bottom line.

“In 2027, when we form government, one of things we will do is pass accessibility legislation and make real lasting change for employment for people disabilities.”

“This is a major announcement from the government, but there’s not a single word on how the plan will be funded, resourced and staffed,” says AUPE Vice-President Sandra Azocar. “Staff with Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) are already overwhelmed, and will now have an even greater and more complex workload.”

“AISH cases are complex and Alberta Disability Assistance Program (ADAP) cases will be the same,” adds Azocar. “Based on the chaos created last year, workers have no confidence in the government’s ability to make this work.”

“People with disabilities are tired of waiting to be assessed and to get support. Some have been waiting for more than two years because the government has instituted a freeze on handling new applications. The government has axed the jobs of dozens of case workers and is refusing to fill vacant positions,” says Azocar.

“People with disabilities contribute a great deal to Alberta. They deserve to have assistance programs that work.”