As one of Alberta's largest cities, Edmonton offers a wide range of services and support for people with disabilities. From financial assistance to accessible transportation, from vocational programs to recreational opportunities, Edmonton's support system is designed to enable people with disabilities to live independently, participate actively in the community, and realize their potential. This article takes a detailed look at all the key services available to people with disabilities in Edmonton, including provincial programs, municipal initiatives, community organizations, and new developments being introduced in 2025-2026.
Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH)
One of the most important provincial programs for people with disabilities is Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH). Created in 1979, this program was the first in Canada specifically designed for people with permanent disabilities. AISH provides financial and medical assistance to adult Albertans whose permanent medical conditions significantly limit their ability to earn a living.
As of 2020, 69,785 Albertans were receiving AISH, representing 1.6% of the province's population. Among AISH recipients, 44.1% have physical disabilities, 30.4% have mental illnesses, and 25.4% have cognitive disorders. Over 40% of AISH recipients are people over the age of fifty.
To qualify for AISH, you must meet several criteria. First, you must have a medical condition that significantly limits your ability to earn a living, and this condition is likely to remain permanent. There must be no available medical treatment, therapy, rehabilitation, or training that could improve your ability to earn a living. You must be at least 18 years old and not eligible for Old Age Security. You must also live in Alberta and be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
The maximum monthly AISH payment for a single person living in the community is $1,787 as of 2025. The program was indexed to the Consumer Price Index in 2018, de-indexed in 2020, and re-indexed as of January 2023. For people living in special facilities, such as nursing homes, a personal payment of $342 per month is provided, plus a living allowance ranging from $1,880 to $2,286 per month, depending on the type of accommodation.
In addition to the monthly living payment, AISH also provides monthly child assistance to support the upbringing of your dependent children, medical benefits to cover the health needs of you, your spouse or partner, and your dependent children, as well as personal benefits—money on top of your monthly payment for specific needs, such as a special diet or emergency assistance.
It is important to note that AISH has asset and income limits. Tax-exempt assets must be less than $100,000 to qualify. Exempt assets include your home, car, and basic household items. AISH also reviews your and your partner's income, and there is a dollar-for-dollar reduction for any form of additional income above the set amount.
New Alberta Disability Assistance Program (ADAP)
In February 2025, the Alberta government announced the creation of a new Alberta Disability Assistance Program (ADAP), which will begin in July 2026. This program is designed to fill a gap in support for people with disabilities who are able to work but still need financial, medical, and personal benefits.
Albertans with disabilities and the organizations that support them have made it clear that they need support that meets their unique needs and abilities, rather than the one-size-fits-all solution offered by the long-standing AISH program. Albertans with disabilities have emphasized the importance of providing pathways to employment for individuals who are able to work but still need to receive benefits, and AISH is not designed to provide this type of support.
Starting in July 2026, new applicants for disability assistance will be assessed for both ADAP and AISH. If deemed eligible for AISH or ADAP, applicants will receive the difference in benefits retroactive to the date of their full application. In general, people with permanent and severe disabilities who are unable to work will be eligible for the AISH program, while those with disabilities who are assessed as able to work will be eligible for ADAP.
ADAP will provide higher earnings exemptions than any other program, meaning Albertans on ADAP can earn more from work while continuing to receive their financial benefits. Monthly benefits will gradually decrease as employment income increases. The new program will include the same reliable health benefits as AISH. Albertans on ADAP will be able to receive the health benefits they need regardless of their employment income. Once a person reaches the maximum earnings and is no longer eligible for monthly financial benefits, they will continue to be eligible for health benefits until age 65.
Through ADAP, Albertans with disabilities will not only receive the financial and health benefits they rely on, but will also have access to the resources and tools they need to gain new skills and work to their full potential. To support this, the Alberta government will invest more to expand employment support and encourage private sector employers to remove barriers to employment for people with disabilities.
All existing AISH clients will be provided with a place in either the new Alberta Disability Assistance Program or the AISH program. Those currently on AISH will continue to receive their existing benefits until they can be placed in the program that best suits their unique situation.
Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD) Support Program
Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD) is an Alberta government funding program that helps Albertans over the age of 18 with developmental disabilities live as independently as possible in their communities. This program is designed to help them be part of their communities and live as independently as possible.
To apply for funding through the PDD program, you must be at least 16 years old when you apply and at least 18 years old when PDD services begin. You must also live in Alberta, be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, and have had a developmental disability since childhood (disability began before age 18).
PDD provides funding for support in three main categories: Home Living Support, Community Access Support, and Employment Support. Based on data from 2018 to 2022, the government spent an average of approximately $158,826,400 on home living support, $36,743,260 on community access support, and $6,691,314 on employment support.
Parents or guardians of adults with developmental disabilities can receive funding to access the following services: an individual outcome plan with a PDD worker that is tailored to achieve PDD service outcomes and includes a list of applicable services that will help meet needs; referrals and resources in your community; decision-making support on behalf of the adult; housing support; medical care support; emergency/crisis support.
It is important to note that PDD does not cover monthly income (AISH is available for this), medical or assistive living equipment, additional medical or health services from psychologists and professional specialists, transportation services, or housing support as such.
Family Support for Children with Disabilities (FSCD)
Family Support for Children with Disabilities (FSCD) is a program that works with eligible families, providing funding for supports and services based on the unique needs of each child and family. Parents of children with disabilities often need help and support to raise their children. FSCD provides funding for family- and child-specific supports and services to help them gain the set of skills necessary to reach their potential at home and participate fully in community life.
The FSCD program is based on the Family Support for Children with Disabilities Act (FSCD Act) and the FSCD Regulation. The program works in partnership with eligible families of children with disabilities to help parents with support and services to raise their child and promote their healthy development, encourage your child to participate in activities at home and in the community, maintain guardianship, decision-making responsibility, and the usual costs of raising a child up to age 18, as well as some extraordinary expenses related to your child's disability.
Parents or guardians of children with developmental disabilities can receive funding to access the following services: program and resource information, assistance with the application and approval process, and support for more than one eligible child in the same family. Family support services include up to 20 hours of annual individual and family counseling, up to $400 annually for clothing and footwear related to the child's disability, reimbursement for travel to medical or rehabilitation appointments, including parking, meals, and hotel accommodations if needed, expenses related to the care of the child's siblings during medical appointments or hospitalizations, and up to 240 hours annually for respite care for the caregiver.
The approval process for FSCD can vary, but typically takes about 2-6 months. This timeframe depends on the completeness of the application, the necessary assessments, and the responsiveness of the various parties involved. FSCD contracts are typically subject to periodic reviews and renewals, often on an annual basis.
According to 2021 government data, over 3,300 families who are eligible for the FSCD program remain without any support (“in planning”), and this number has increased by 54% since April 2018. Between PDD and FSCD, more than 5,300 Albertan children and adults with disabilities remain without any disability-related support, and those receiving insufficient support far exceed this number.
Dedicated Accessible Transit Service (DATS)
Dedicated Accessible Transit Service (DATS) is one of the most important municipal services for people with disabilities in Edmonton. DATS is a shared door-to-door public transit service for Edmonton residents who are unable to use conventional transit due to physical, cognitive, mental health, or sensory disabilities.
DATS is available to Edmonton residents aged 16 and older who are unable to use conventional transportation for some or all of their trips due to a disability. There is also a youth service available for youth aged 13 to 15. Eligibility is determined on a case-by-case basis following specific guidelines and a registration process.
To check your eligibility or register, call 780-496-4567 (option 3). When you call to register, you will be told which forms to send in. A referral from a doctor or social services professional is required.
DATS provides free information sessions for interested organizations. Presentations may include how DATS works, registration and reservation procedures, and suggestions for better use of the system during busy times. Available transportation services and other alternatives are also covered.
The DATS budget for 2024 was $32 million. In 2023, 93% of trips were delivered on time. A recent audit by the Office of the City Auditor found that Edmonton Transit Service (ETS) has partially achieved its goal of effective and efficient management of DATS, but there are areas for improvement. The auditor made eight recommendations to improve the effectiveness of the service, including improvements to the eligibility assessment process, privacy controls, contract management practices, strategic planning, data quality, and training.
DATS representatives interviewed reported that passengers are satisfied with the new online booking tool and customer service, but driver training remains an area for improvement. Passengers reported being told that they could not bring groceries and packages on board.
Supportive housing for people with disabilities
Edmonton offers several supportive housing options for people with disabilities who need assistance to live independently.
Supportive housing is a type of affordable housing for people with very low to low incomes or households who need on-site support services to live independently. Residents sign a lease and pay rent while receiving financial assistance, life skills support, and supportive services for health and well-being.
Each supportive housing program is unique and designed to meet the specific needs of the people who live there. Staff may include medical professionals, psychologists, social workers, and support staff who assist with tasks such as grocery shopping, accessing transportation, and applying for income assistance and other government programs. Staff are always on site, regardless of the time of day.
People who live in supported housing may be referred based on the type of support they need, such as medical support, services for people with disabilities, mental health and addiction support, and/or cultural support. Homeward Trust works with Alberta Health Services and supported housing operators to manage resident referrals and help place people where they want to live and where they will find the support services they need.
Group homes for adults with developmental disabilities are also available through organizations such as Entrust Disability Services. Entrust provides group homes and residential care programs that offer daily support for individuals over the age of 17 with developmental disabilities. If an adult with a developmental disability is eligible for PDD or FSCD services, they are eligible for a residential care program. Entrust has been providing residential care for adults and youth with a wide range of developmental disabilities and complex behavioral designators for over 20 years.
Rent Assistance Benefit (RAB) and Temporary Rent Assistance Benefit (TRAB) are programs that provide rent assistance to recipients who have their own leases outside of Civida-managed buildings but cannot afford the total cost of rent. These programs are governed by the Rent Supplement Regulation and the Social Housing Regulation. Households are not eligible for TRAB if they receive social assistance, including Income Support, Learner Income Support, Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH), Alberta Seniors Benefit, Guaranteed Income Supplement, Old Age Security, or Canada Pension Plan.
Recreation and Leisure Opportunities
The City of Edmonton provides a wide range of recreational opportunities and accessible facilities for people with disabilities.
Adapted Programs are programs designed for individuals with a variety of inclusion needs (physical or cognitive disabilities) that provide opportunities to explore recreational and physical activities while having fun and making new friends. All participants who require a caregiver must provide their own for the program.
The city offers adapted community swims — swims that are sensory-friendly for people with disabilities and their families and/or caregivers. The lights remain on, the music is turned off, and appropriate toys are available. SwimAbilities lessons are also available — modified swimming techniques that are appropriate for individuals with cognitive or physical limitations.
Multi-Sensory Environments are available at some centres, such as the ACT Aquatic and Recreation Centre. These rooms include bubble tubes, fibre optics, light machines and more. Benefits of use may include leisure and relaxation, stimulation and interactive development of motor skills. Up to 5 people can use the equipment at a time, plus an attendant/parent.
The City of Edmonton also has a Community Facilities and Parks Accessibility Guide, which provides information on the accessibility of various facilities, attractions, and playgrounds. This guide helps families plan visits to accessible places such as the Edmonton Valley Zoo, Hermitage Park (a fully accessible park with an accessible canoe dock with a lift), and many recreation centers throughout the city.
The city has also launched a pilot program to support people who are deaf or hard of hearing in accessing recreational activities and experiences in the city through Accessible Communication Services.
Employment Support
Alberta provides several employment support programs for people with disabilities who want to work or improve their skills.
Disability Related Employment Supports (DRES) provides funding for supports and services that help Albertans overcome disability-related barriers to employment or education. This program helps people access the tools and resources they need to succeed in the workplace.
According to the Employment Strategy for Canadians with Disabilities, Alberta's Workforce Development Program has provided people with disabilities with training courses, jobs, and career planning services. In the 2024-2025 fiscal year, more than 6,000 young people with disabilities were hired by employers through the Canada Summer Jobs program.
Alberta stands out as a bright spot in Canada for the employment of people with disabilities. In 2024, the province recorded the highest employment rate for people with disabilities in the country at 53%. This is significantly higher than the national average.
Organizations such as EmployAbilities, Arch Enterprises, Excel Society, Winnifred Stewart Association, and others provide employment support programs for people with disabilities, especially those with PDD funding. These programs may include career planning, resume assistance, interview preparation, training courses, simulated workplaces, and supported job placements.
With the launch of the Alberta Disability Assistance Program in 2026, the government will invest more to expand employment support and encourage private sector employers to remove barriers to employment for people with disabilities.
Assistive Devices and Equipment
Alberta Aids to Daily Living (AADL) is a program that helps Albertans with the cost of medical equipment and devices, including hearing aids, wheelchairs, walkers, and other specialized equipment. AADL operates as a cost-sharing program, where clients pay 25% of the approved cost, up to a maximum of $500 per person or family per benefit year (July 1 to June 30).
To qualify for AADL, you must be an Alberta resident with a valid Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan card and have a long-term disability, chronic illness, or terminal illness lasting six months or longer. If you have a low income or receive income or disability assistance, you may qualify for a cost-sharing exemption and pay nothing for approved benefits.
For hearing aids, after your assessment, an audiologist will recommend an appropriate device, and you will have a 28-day trial period to make sure the hearing aid works for you. Once confirmed, the vendor will bill AADL for the approved portion, and you will pay your share (unless you are exempt).
Mental Health Services
For people with disabilities who also have mental health needs, Edmonton offers several specialized services.
Access 24/7 is an intake service for adults with mental health and addiction issues, available by phone or in person at the Edmonton Community Health Hub North. Telephone support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year at 780-424-2424. Individuals can call this line 24 hours a day for referrals to addiction and mental health programs in Edmonton and surrounding communities. Crisis intervention is available 24/7.
The Walk-in Clinic at 13211 Fort Rd NW, Edmonton is open 7 days a week (including holidays) from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. No referral is necessary, but it is important to note that this is not an emergency room or a 911 service.
Community Outreach Assessment and Support Team (COAST) is a collaborative initiative aimed at supporting individuals with complex service needs in the Edmonton area, particularly adults with developmental/intellectual disabilities who pose a risk to themselves or others.
Arnika Centre provides mental health services for developmental disabilities through Alberta Health Services. CMHA Edmonton (Canadian Mental Health Association Edmonton) also provides a variety of mental health services, including a 24-hour crisis line at 780-482-4357.
Momentum Walk-In Counselling provides affordable counselling (from $8 per session) and support groups for people with bipolar disorder, anxiety, and depression. Mercy Counselling through Catholic Social Services and The Family Centre Edmonton also provide counselling and support.
Advocacy and Information Services
Several organizations in Edmonton and Alberta provide advocacy services and information for people with disabilities.
The Office of the Advocate for Persons with Disabilities represents the rights, interests, and well-being of Albertans with disabilities. The office helps children, youth, adults, and seniors with disabilities find and access the supports and services available to them. By building relationships with individuals and stakeholders in the disability community, the Office of the Advocate can learn about important issues and concerns and bring them to the government with recommendations.
The Advocate's Office can help resolve issues by referring people to find available supports and services for people with disabilities, helping to find solutions to challenges. They also engage in education, promoting the rights, interests, and well-being of people with disabilities through awareness and education, bringing awareness to programs and services available to the community. The office can be reached by phone at 780-422-1095 or toll-free at 1-800-272-8841.
Inclusion Alberta provides individual and family advocacy for people with intellectual disabilities. Their advocates help individuals and families address a wide range of issues, including inclusive education, family support, recreation and leisure, housing, funding, individual planning, and more. Advocates are available across the province to help families overcome challenges in achieving meaningful lives that are fully included in the community.
Voice of Albertans with Disabilities (VAD) is an inter-disability organization that provides resources, support, and advocacy for Albertans with disabilities. VAD works directly with Albertans with disabilities and supports individuals, organizations, government representatives, schools, and business personnel.
Independent Advocacy provides compassionate support for adults with developmental disabilities. The organization is located at 7340-82 Ave NW, Edmonton, and can be reached by phone at 780-452-9616.
Disability Tax Credit
Disability Tax Credit (DTC) is a non-refundable tax credit that helps people with disabilities or their supporting family members reduce the amount of income tax they may be required to pay. For an adult in Alberta, the basic amount from federal and provincial sources is approximately $3,208.9 for 2025. For eligible individuals under the age of 18, combining the basic amount and the additional amount, they would receive $5,362.9 in disability credits for the 2024 tax year.
To qualify for the DTC, your impairment must be severe and long-term (lasting or expected to last for at least 12 consecutive months). In 2025, the eligibility criteria were updated to be more inclusive in defining disabilities. Key changes include expanded recognition of mental health disorders, which now include anxiety, PTSD, ADHD, and depression if they significantly affect a person's daily activities.
You can apply for the DTC by completing Form T2201 and submitting it to the Canada Revenue Agency. A medical practitioner must confirm that you have a significant impairment of physical or mental functions.
Important for AISH recipients: AISH recipients had until September 5, 2025, to update their AISH or Alberta Supports office regarding the status of their Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) and Disability Tax Credit (DTC) applications. Albertans receiving AISH are expected to apply for all income to which they may be eligible, including federal programs such as the CDB.
Inclusive Education and Support
Alberta is committed to inclusive education for all students, including those with disabilities. Inclusion is not just about students with special needs; it is an attitude and approach that embraces the diversity and differences of students and promotes equal opportunities for all students in Alberta.
Inclusive Post-Secondary Education (IPSE) is a program coordinated by Inclusion Alberta that helps adults with developmental disabilities build the skills necessary to live independently and contribute to their community. Students register to audit courses or programs on a non-credit basis, participate fully in all parts of college and university classes (such as lectures, labs, assignments, and exams), and participate in graduation with their classmates when they complete the program and receive a certificate of achievement.
A facilitator helps students set achievable personal goals, select courses, access tutoring, engage peers for support, modify classroom and exam materials, and supervise their practicum. Programs are broad and may include Bachelor of Arts (various majors), Bachelor of Music, Criminal Justice, Culinary Arts, Animal Health Technology, Business Administration, Hospitality and Tourism, Kinesiology, and Sports Studies.
The Calgary Board of Education (CBE) and other school boards in Alberta provide a continuum of support and services for students with diverse learning needs. A specialized team supports students with their unique learning styles to personalize and assist with program planning.
Accessibility Standards and Universal Design
The City of Edmonton has an Accessibility for People with Disabilities Policy C602 that guides the development and implementation of infrastructure that takes into account individual needs and diverse abilities. The Access Design Guide aims to promote accessibility in open spaces and facilities owned, operated, or leased by the City of Edmonton by identifying measures that exceed the requirements of the 2019 National Building Code - Alberta Version.
The guide provides detailed information on barrier-free pathways, recreational areas, indoor facilities, play spaces, sports facilities, and other elements of urban infrastructure. The City of Edmonton strives to be a model by encouraging businesses, institutions, organizations, and community groups to incorporate accessibility and universal design into their policies, products, programs and services, communications and technology, and infrastructure.
In November 2024, Alberta Municipal Affairs released the 2024 Accessibility Design Guide, a companion to the accessibility requirements outlined in Section 3.8 of the National Building Code – 2023 Alberta Edition. The guide reflects new standards as well as best practices that go beyond the minimum requirements of the code.
Conclusion
Edmonton and the province of Alberta offer an impressive network of services and support for people with disabilities. From financial programs such as AISH and the new ADAP, to specialized DATS transportation, from supported housing to adapted recreation programs, the system is designed to support independence, inclusion, and quality of life for people with disabilities.
The PDD and FSCD programs provide critical support for adults and children with developmental disabilities and their families. Employment support and the new ADAP open pathways to meaningful work for those who are able to work. Mental health services, such as Access 24/7, provide round-the-clock support. Advocacy organizations such as the Office of the Advocate for Persons with Disabilities and Inclusion Alberta help people navigate the system and assert their rights.
It is important to remember that many of these services require proactive action—applying, registering, contacting organizations. For Ukrainians who have just arrived in Edmonton, it can be difficult to understand all these systems, but help is available. Alberta Supports at 1-877-644-9992 can refer you to appropriate programs and help with applications. The Office of the Advocate for Persons with Disabilities at 1-800-272-8841 can provide referrals and support.
With the launch of new programs such as ADAP in 2026 and ongoing improvements to existing services, the support system for people with disabilities in Edmonton continues to evolve and improve, striving to create a truly inclusive community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.