new child disability phone line for accessibility

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New toll-free telephone line launched to help make child

disability-related information more accessible

5-Aug-2004 News-Medical.Net

To help make child disability-related information more accessible for

families, a new provincial toll-free telephone line was launched on Aug.

3.

Information and referral agents at the Child Disability Resource Link

will give callers information about where a family can go to access

supports and services for their child with a disability. Agents can help

with topics ranging from how to access home care or medical equipment to

accessing parent support groups, respite care or counselling services.

" We established this telephone line because parents and stakeholders

told us they needed one central line that could give them general

information about helpful services for children with disabilities, " said

Children's Services Minister Iris . " The Child Disability Resource

Link will give callers information not only about provincial services

they can access, but also services that are available in their own

communities. "

Information and referral agents are available toll-free weekdays from 8

a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. by calling

1-866-346-4661.

The Child Disability Resource Link was launched as a result of requests

made from parents and stakeholders throughout the Child Welfare Act

review, in addition to forums and focus groups held prior to the Family

Support for Children with Disabilities Act becoming law on Aug. 1.

The Family Support for Children with Disabilities Act is the first

separate and distinct legislation in Canada for children with

disabilities and their families. It focuses on families by providing a

wide range of supports and services that strengthen a family's ability

to promote their child's healthy growth and development.

For more information on the new legislation, visit www.child.gov.ab.ca.