This week we have the pleasure of celebrating the birthday of Julie Boucher, Director of Community and Family Services. Many of our families know Julie for her kindness and support she extends to all she meets. Julie is a caring and passionate advocate for our families, and EDSS would not be what it is for our community without the knowledge and compassionate support that Julie provides for the Down syndrome community.  Happy Birthday Julie!

This week our Program Manager, Meghan Schritt and I attended our monthly Recreation for Persons with Disabilities Interagency Meeting hosted by the City of Edmonton.  This is a group of agencies who serve people with disabilities and meet monthly to connect and share resources about what each organization is doing in our community.  This week we met at the South Edmonton Soccer Centre where we also had a demonstration of VOLT Hockey from Variety Alberta.  Check it out!

Two of the updates from the City of Edmonton I would like to share with you as they may be relevant for you or someone you know.

First is the Assisted Waste Program

A free service available to city of Edmonton residents with permanent or temporary mobility issues  

• There are two curbside programs available: 
  • The resident puts their waste in carts and bags, collector moves to the curb 

• • The resident gives the collector their waste from their home 
• Please help share with anyone who may benefit from this program. 

 And secondly: Park Your Thoughts with the City on Residential Parking  

A typical day on your street can be busy: buses picking up and dropping your kids off, deliveries, contractors and caregivers, or family and friends stopping by. All of these people may need access to the curbside.

As the city grows, that space has become an increasingly valuable public asset. How should we prioritize this limited space?

The City wants to hear your experiences and priorities when it comes to parking in your neighbourhood:  

• Residential parking programs cost money to operate. Who should pay for them?
• How many parking permits should residents get?
• Should visitors need to register their vehicles to park, or should it be first-come, first-served?

From October 15 to November 15, 2026, there are many ways to share your thoughts:  

• In-person at pop-up events.
• Online through our survey, quick polls and the Curbside Compass: Interactive Parking Tool, where you can explore different parking benefits and trade-offs on a sample street. What works? What doesn’t?

Your input will help the City redesign the Residential Parking Program, while shaping the future of curbside and parking programming overall.  

Learn more at engaged.edmonton.ca/ResidentialParking. 

Updates

Wow! Uniquely Me Goes West was a tremendous success! 

Thank you to all the models, partners, donors, volunteers and staff and our event coordinators from Kindle for another amazing event.  Please enjoy the photos here on our website for more amazing images from the evening. 

October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month — a time to celebrate the abilities and achievements of people with Down syndrome while promoting inclusion, acceptance, and awareness. 

This month offers us the opportunity to share stories, spread awareness, and highlight the importance of creating inclusive communities for individuals and families. Together we can create a world where every person with Down syndrome is valued and empowered. 

We encourage you to explore and share the resources of our friends at Global Ds Foundation— including their Prenatal and Newborn Pamphlet, GLOBAL Adult Guideline, and so much more — to help build understanding and connection.  Take a read, and help us by spreading these resources, you help us extend awareness and create meaningful impact. 

Mark your calendars for October 24th for “The Affair of the Heart” which is a student-led fundraising gala hosted by the University of Alberta Medical Students' Association in support of EDSS. The event will bring together medical students, healthcare professionals, community leaders, and local businesses to create meaningful impact.  The students are seeking sponsors to partner with them to make this event possible.  If you are interested or know someone who would be, please share this partnership package with them. You can find it here.

Did you know?

Through the Eye See…Eye Learn program, children in kindergarten are eligible to receive free glasses and frames. Be sure to ask your optometrist about it!