Quick
facts
- The Saskatchewan
Association for Community Living (SACL) is a non-profit, registered
charitable organization founded by a small group of parents in
1955.
- It is
governed by a voluntary Board of Directors, many of whom are parents
and family members, people who themselves have a disability, friends,
volunteers.
- The provincial
head office is located at 3031 Louise Street in Saskatoon. The
John Dolan Resource Centre, a public lending library, is also
housed here.
- The SACL
is part of a Canadian federation of ACLs in every province and
territory, with a national office in Ontario, and a membership
of over 40,000.
- The SACL
is made up of 22 active branches which provide local support in
their communities.
- The SACL
represents families and people with disabilities all over the
province.
- The SACL
works in a variety of areas including individual and family advocacy,
self-advocacy support, counseling, information services, policy
and legislative development, special projects, employment support,
public awareness, education and training, and community development.
- The Association
employs 25 full and part-time people, and routinely offers work
experience and employment opportunities to people with intellectual
disabilities.
- Seventy-five
per cent of its income is from charitable donations and a variety
of fundraising campaigns and 25 per cent is generated through
a variety of project grants and other sources.
- In 1990,
the Association created the Institute on Community Living and
a partnership with Value Village Thrift Stores. The Institute
collects quality used clothing and other donated items throughout
the province and sells them to Value Village. This supports the
ongoing work of the Association. The Institute employs 25 people
in the province.
Frequently
Asked Questions
What is
the SACL?
The Saskatchewan
Association for Community Living (SACL) is a non-profit provincial
association dedicated to promoting the participation of people with
intellectual disabilities in all aspects of community life.
When and
why did the organization begin?
We were founded
in 1955 by parents of children with intellectual disabilities who
wanted supports and services within the community instead of in
institutions. Over the years, we have grown into a provincial organization
with 20 branches throughout the province. We are a member of a Canadian
federation of 10 provincial and two territorial associations comprising
420 local associations and over 40,000 members.
What is
your purpose?
We are an association
dedicated to growth and change for both individuals with intellectual
disability, and for society as a whole. Since our founding, we have
worked ceaselessly to ensure that people with intellectual disabilities
are able to enjoy their right to lead active and productive lives
in their communities. Home and community-based supports help people
with intellectual disabilities live as valuable members of our communities.
What
is an intellectual disability?
An intellectual
disability is a limited ability to learn. It sometimes causes difficulty
in coping with the demands of daily life. It is a condition which
is usually present from birth or before the age of 18. There are
many causes and it is not the same as mental or psychiatric illness.
Historically,
society referred to people with intellectual disabilities or mental
handicap (formerly known as mental retardation) with stigmatizing
names. For this reason, we always refer to people first, and then
their disability. Preferred terms are "people who have an intellectual
disability" or "people who have a developmental disability"
when it is necessary to label people at all. We were once known
as the Saskatchewan Association for the Mentally Retarded; people
with intellectual disabilities told us that was hurtful and demeaning.
So we changed. Our name reflects the fact we are dedicated to the
idea that people deserve a good life in the community.
What
is inclusion?
Inclusion means
accepting the contribution that people with intellectual disabilities
can make as equal citizens of society. It means playing with neighbourhood
children, being educated in a regular classroom, working in real
jobs, and living interdependently in our communities with the supports
we need. Inclusion enables people with intellectual disabilities
to lead lives of achievement with fellowship and dignity.
What is
meant by community living?
Community living
is a simple concept; most of us experience it every day. We live
in integrated communities, we work with our peers and our children
go to school with their neighbourhood friends. However, for the
nearly 900,000 Canadians who have an intellectual disability, these
simple things that we take for granted are not a reality. Although
people with intellectual disabilities are capable of learning in
regular schools, working at real jobs and contributing to our communities,
they are often excluded simply because of their disability. People
with intellectual disabilities want and deserve to participate in
all of these activities. They want to contribute to society, be
a part of it, and they want to lead normal lives in the community
-just like you.
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