Provides Job Training/Work Experience for individuals with cerebral palsy.

Becoming a Member

Becoming a member of the CPAA is free. Print and complete the Membership Form and submit your form to the appropriate office by mail or fax

For Calgary and Southern Alberta		For Edmonton and Northern Alberta
Memberships 3688 48 Avenue NE Calgary, AB T3J 5C8 Fax #: (403) 543-1168		Memberships 17231 105 Avenue Edmonton, AB T5S 1H2 Fax #: (780) 477-0855

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Disability Awareness Handbook - for anyone wanting to receive a copy of the handbook for accommodating students with disabilities 'Disability Awareness Handbook', please contact the Calgary office of the CPAA at: (403) 543-1161 or 1-800-363-2807.

Tools for Life - Anyone wanting to read the current issue click here

Click to view past issues of Tools for Life

Step by Step - A Transition Manual for Youth with Disabilities

Click to download a copy of the Step by Step manual

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The Multi-Sensory Room

In the 70's, most services for individuals with disabilities focused on traditional occupational therapy approaches. However these services were not always available and often times, individuals in hospitals or day care settings were left to sit in chairs or lie in bed, with virtually no leisure or recreational activities.

It was while working in a center for individuals with disabilities that Ad Verheual, a psychologist who worked in Holland, began taking note of how people react to their environments. He began introducing smells, music, touch and taste to those within his center. It was through his work that the multi-sensory room was developed. As a result of his findings, he wrote a book with a colleague named Jan Hulsegge, titled Snoezelen, which comes from the two Dutch words that mean to sniff and doze. The concept was then taken to centers throughout the world.

People with disabilities find it hard sometimes to calm down or focus in an everyday environment. The slightest noise factor can cause the person to become over-stimulated.

A multi-sensory room shuts out the deluge so the person can focus on one sensation at a time. Besides heightening sensory perception, multi sensory rooms also heighten their cognitive behavior.

A MSR room provides an atmosphere that heightens awareness through increased sensory stimulation. It provides a secure environment that allows individuals to relax both physically and mentally. The room can open up a whole new world to a person that has disabilities.

Some of the benefits include a reduction in tension and increased relaxation especially for the client who is constantly running around with their "engine" on high. An increase in attention, focus and energy may be noted in the client who is tired, lethargic or just unable to get going. Users will experience a reduction in distress and stereotypical behaviors. In addition, decreased aggression and self injury behaviors have been noted in individuals who have been exposed to a MSR room.

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Our Recreation and Leisure Programs improve the quality of life for people affected by cerebral palsy by providing essential social interaction and participation in healthy activities in nurturing environments.

We believe that recreation and leisure activities foster a balance between mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. We develop and adapt all of our programs so as to:

• increase social interaction
• encourage friendship and community building
• promote positive self-esteem
• foster self-sufficiency
• contribute to personal growth
• create opportunities for meaningful community participation
• foster a sense of belonging and an enhanced quality of life
• improve emotional well-being and reduce stress
• improve happiness and self-confidence