We Advocate
We Advocate is a podcast about empowerment, advocacy, and understanding the systems that affect Albertans with disabilities. Hosted by Gordon VanderLeek, a Calgary wills and estates lawyer, and Annie VanderLeek, a disability advocate, the show explores the intersection of law, policy, and lived experience for people with disabilities and their families.Each episode breaks down complex topics — from AISH and the new Alberta Disability Assistance Program (ADAP) to health benefits, capacity law, and financial planning — in plain language that helps listeners make sense of their rights and options.With insight, empathy, and a dash of candid conversation, Gordon and Annie shar...
Understanding Alberta’s New Disability Assistance Program (ADAP)
Welcome to the relaunch of We Advocate! In this first episode, Gordon — a wills and estates lawyer in Calgary — and Annie — a disability advocate — unpack Alberta’s proposed Alberta Disability Assistance Program (ADAP), a new system that’s set to replace or run alongside AISH (Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped) in July 2026.
They explore what the government is proposing, how it compares to the existing AISH program, and what these changes could mean for Albertans with disabilities.
In This Episode
The Alberta government’s plan to introduce A...
