Alberta Association for Community Living receives international recognition

CALGARY, April 3, 2013 /CNW/ - Alberta Association for Community Living (AACL) is pleased to announce that it has received an international award and global recognition from the Essl Foundation with representatives from the International Labour Organization and World Future Council for its innovative best practices in Inclusive Post-Secondary Education and the Rotary Employment Partnership.  AACL was awarded this recognition last month at the Zero Project Conference held in Vienna, Austria.

Inclusive Post-Secondary Education

Bruce Uditsky, Chief Executive Officer, AACL and Dr. Anne Hughson, Associate Professor and Director, Community Rehabilitation & Disability Studies at the University of Calgary were recognized for their work in developing and expanding Inclusive Post-Secondary Education.  Mr. Uditsky also credited Ms. Trish Bowman, Executive Director, Community Development, AACL for her leadership in Alberta with the province having more inclusive post-secondary educational opportunities than any other jurisdiction in the world.

Currently there are nearly 100 students being included in 18 Alberta post-secondary education institutions with approximately 70 per cent securing employment upon the completion of their studies. Following this success post-secondary initiatives have now been established in many other provinces and a number of other countries.  Funding to support inclusive post-secondary education in Alberta is provided by the Alberta government through the departments of Human Services and Enterprise and Advanced Education.

Rotary Employment Partnerships

Bruce Uditsky, CEO, AACL; Wendy McDonald, Development Director, AACL and Chair, Rotary District 5370 Employment Partnerships Steering Committee were recognized for their leadership in founding the Rotary Employment Partnerships which works with Rotary Clubs and Rotarians across Alberta (Rotary Districts 5370 and 5360) to create employment opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities.

To date the Partnerships has created 225 jobs for adults with developmental disabilities with an average wage of more than $14 per hour in a wide array of companies:  from one-person businesses to large international firms; from office jobs to manufacturing and technology. Rotary Employment Partnerships have expanded to other Canadian provinces and a number of other countries.  Funding to support Rotary Employment Partnerships is provided by the Alberta government through the department of   Human Services.

SOURCE: Alberta Association for Community Living

For further information:

Bruce Uditsky, CEO                                                                 
Cell: 780-940-4269
Email: [e-mail]

Zero Project : www.zeroproject.org