Self-advocacy program rises from the ashes

By Lethbridge Herald on May 22, 2025.

Alexandra Noad
Lethbridge Herald
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

After Southern Alberta Individual Planning Association (SAIPA) was forced to close its doors and discontinue its advocacy programs due to funding cuts from the Alberta government, Inclusion Lethbridge is helping one of the programs rise from the ashes like a phoenix to help those with diverse needs have access to supports they need.

South Region Self-Advocacy Network (SRSAN) was a program to help those with disabilities, especially those who have rare or overlooked disabilities, find supports they need through self-advocacy work.

Chelsey Peat, community engagement and advocacy co-ordinator for Inclusion Lethbridge, was born with a large facial birthmark which is associated with Sturge-Weber Syndrome, says she had many social barriers because of her visible difference.

“I know growing up I didn’t have any sort of aspect of advocates or supports because I didn’t fit the categorization of true disability, though I suffer with a social disability; barriers placed before me that I have no say over, simply how I look,” she says.

Peat, who previously worked for SAIPA, was heartbroken when she got word that the organization would no longer be funded. However, just three weeks ago, Inclusion Lethbridge reached out to her asking if she would join their team and help them revive SRSAN.

She was overjoyed when she heard of the possibility of bringing back SRSAN. She decided that she wanted to help everyone who has developmental disabilities, neurodivergence, mental health differences, physical disabilities and family members, friends and allies of those people.

With the government cuts, Peat has seen many people fall through the cracks, especially those with rare disabilities or those who seem to be “high functioning.”

“For so long (we have) set standards and particulars in who we support (and) who we help, especially when it comes to government funding,” says Peat. “A lot of times a lot of people don’t fit that exact mould and as we’re seeing more and more, you have the widespread aspects of disabilities of just non-supported people.”

She adds that through this program it will help people identify when they need help to even get basic needs such as food and water.

Cuts to disability services such as SAIPA, and ongoing changes to AISH will force those with disabilities to suffer in silence, says Peat, when many of them want to be functional members of society.

“There are so many individuals who want to be out their working, want to be out there supporting themselves, wanting to be a part of the community, yet they are being forced inside or left to suffer in silence in their homes because they don’t have support workings, they don’t have food, they don’t have rent.”

Inclusion Lethbridge will be hosting a town hall today at 2 p.m. with a livestream available through Microsoft Teams by contacting Peat through email chelsey@inclusionlethbridge.org.

Inclusion Lethbridge is also looking for sponsors for the annual community walk that will be taking place in September, as they will be building from the ground up this year.

Peat believes that community working together will make a huge difference in those who need the support most.

“We’ve fought through so much and its time that we start climbing again and not let what’s happening in other cities or in Edmonton affect us anymore.”