Our History
Skills Society was started in the 1980s by parents who wanted more for their sons and daughters.
Back then, their goal was to reduce their sense of isolation by removing them from institutions and placing them back into the arms of society. Forty years later, Skills remains connected to those roots by keeping our services person-centred and focused on the unique needs of every individual. Our work has never been easy but our goal is simple: help people with disabilities live safe, dignified, and meaningful lives.
This timeline summarizes the key milestones from Skills Society and the disability community in Alberta over the last 50 years. We are grateful to all the leaders and changemakers who have made their mark and worked to support the rights and citizenship of people with disabilities for nearly half a century.
The Rights We Want!
In 1995 a group of 40 self-advocates supported by Skills Society came together to develop The Rights We Want! Statement of Our Rights & Responsibilities. This document led to significant change both within Skills Society and in the community disability service sector as a whole. The document continues to be foundational to our work today and is an integral part of the organizational culture. As we continue to build our capacity to support the citizenship and belonging of the people we serve, we remember and honor the work of those that came before us and the courage and tireless efforts of self advocates and their allies.
The Rights We Want! Document (PDF)
The Rights We Want! Document (Audio/Video)
The Rights We Want! Mini-Documentary
Hear from self-advocates and allies within Skills Society about the history and legacy of The Rights We Want!