Assisting adults with disabilities to drive change in their communities as engaged and empowered citizens.

About SAIPA

Southern Alberta Individualized Planning Association

Incorporated in 1986, SAIPA is a not-for-profit, charitable organization which supports people with disabilities to drive change in their communities as engaged and empowered citizens. We assist people with disabilities to gain self-determination skills and an understanding of human rights through workshops, advocacy and resources.

Funded by Disability Services (formerly Persons with Developmental Disabilities), two full-time and one part-time staff provide the above services. SAIPA also relies on several volunteers whose tireless dedication allows us to continue meeting the growing needs of those in our community.

Why do we do this? SAIPA realizes that when people with disabilities are educated about the choices and opportunities they have, the chance to experience safe, meaningful inclusion increases. We are working hard every day to break barriers and highlight the valuable contributions people with disabilities make in our community!

Our Vision

SAIPA envisions a society in which citizens with developmental disabilities have the opportunity to live rich and productive lives as fully participating members of, and leaders in, their communities. This will be achieved by fostering and celebrating:

  • Equal opportunity

  • Quality of life

  • Aspirations and accomplishments

  • Lifelong learning

Our Values

Rights: honouring individual rights
Encouraging: providing opportunities to plan and dream
Self-advocacy: believing in individual leadership
Professional: committing to honesty and integrity
Enriching lives: through education and skill-building
Connecting: networking with community Teamwork:
Together we can make a difference

Service Area

SAIPA serves Alberta’s south region (from British Columbia border to the Saskatchewan border to the U.S. border and south of Claresholm). Services will be provided to the Blood and Peigan First Nations if SAIPA is invited.

We service the following cities and more:

  • Medicine Hat

  • Taber

  • Cardston

  • Raymond

  • Lethbridge

  • Fort MacLeod

  • Coledale

  • Crowsnest Pass

SAIPA will respond to requests for assistance from:

  • Any individual with a disability

  • Any person who supports an individual with a disability

  • Any community advocate or organization acting on behalf of an individual with a disability

SAIPA and SRSAN

SAIPA proudly supports the South Regional Self Advocates Network (SRSAN). With more than 100 members, SRSAN is the largest self-advocacy group in Southern Alberta, dedicated to acting as a united voice which brings inspiration and awareness to others.

Our Future. A Better Place

A better place. We all want this.
A place we’re respected as valued citizens.
Where we find meaningful employment.
A place where worth isn’t solely measured in dollars and cents.
Where having a disability is simply a detail;
And because we’re included, because we contribute, everyone benefits -in tangible, measurable ways.
It’s a much better place. A place of belonging, opportunities, a better place to be… for all.

SAIPA Committees

Fund Diversification Committee

The Fund Diversification Committee is made up of SAIPA members, staff and board members and focuses on developing and marketing events to raise funds for SAIPA and SRSAN. The committee created the new Sip n’ Snack event and will continue to create and evolve SAIPA’s fundraising events.