Disabled Albertans push back against planned changes to income support program

The Alberta government is facing growing criticism from some people with disabilities over its plan to overhaul Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH), a program that has supported disabled Albertans for decades.

Calgary resident Kavin Sheikheldin, who has epilepsy, joined a group of protesters outside the constituency office of Deputy Premier Mike Ellis, urging the province to reverse the planned changes before they take effect in July.

She said the uncertainty surrounding the transition has already taken a toll.

“It’s honestly now causing mental distress for many folks, including myself as a person with disabilities,” she said.

The province is preparing to introduce the Alberta Disability Assistance Program (ADAP), which will replace AISH for most current recipients. Under the new system, people deemed capable of working will receive lower monthly payments, with the government saying the goal is to encourage and support greater workforce participation.

Nearly 80,000 Albertans currently receiving AISH will be moved to ADAP this summer. Those the province determines are unable to work will remain on AISH.

Statistics Canada data from 2025 shows Alberta has the highest employment rate for people with disabilities in the country, at just over 50 per cent. But Sheikheldin argues the new program is built on the assumption that disabled people can work more if pressured, rather than addressing the systemic barriers that make employment inaccessible for many.

“How can government expect people, especially those with disabilities, to find a job, because honestly the jobs that would suit people’s needs with disabilities aren’t available,” she said.

The province held public consultations and town halls last September to gather feedback on the proposed changes, but the findings have not yet been released.

A request for information on when those results might be made public did not receive a response by broadcast deadline.