Blog posts by Al

Life comes from life

Life comes from life. It comes from life in every shape, size, and background. Complex lives. Messy lives. Struggling lives. Determined lives. Funny lives. Mysterious lives. Sensual lives. Beautiful lives. Sacred lives. It doesn’t come from machines, technology, techniques, and … Read More

The Power of Disability

My new book The Power of Disability was published in February just before the pandemic hit. Momentum had started, reviews were positive, and book concerts featuring local artists with disability were lined up. Covid put all that on hold. Book … Read More

Learning from the Danes – building back better (fifth in a series)

Monumental change requires a mindset that is wildly different from the status quo. Otherwise the momentum of an outdated approach will ensnare us. This mindset influences what we aspire to, the values we hold dear, the way we conduct ourselves … Read More

Nothing About Us Without Us – Building back better (fourth in a series)

The recent Throne Speech promised a Canadian Disability Benefit. This makes Canada the first country in the world to commit to ending poverty for its disabled citizens. It’s an historic investment in their financial well being. If properly designed the … Read More

In the beginning was a caring relationship – building back better (third in a series)

With apologies to the gospel in the beginning wasn’t the word, it was a caring relationship. In 2001 the 530,000 year old partial skeleton of a 12 year old girl was discovered in Spain. The shape of her skull indicated … Read More

Renegotiating the social contract – building back better (second in a series)

The pandemic has revealed that a caring society is a do-it-together, not a do-it yourself, project. And that government and civil society in partnership makes it so. … Read More

The world needs more community organizers – building back better (first in a series)

The phrase “build back better” is being used to capture the determination and desire of politicians and activists alike to come out of the pandemic with a more just, equitable, accessible and inclusive society. The phrase, adapted from a 2015 … Read More

Forget Your Perfect Offering

First a reminder that our Power of Disability Concert takes place this Saturday May 9th at 7:00 eastern. Entertainers include the lead clown for Cirque du Soleil, a comedian with White House experience, award winning singers, storytellers, hip hop artists … Read More

The Power of Disability Concert

Update: The live version of this concert was hosted on May 9th but you can watch the full concert recording anytime online. The Power of Disability reminds us of what we have in common – the power to create a good life for … Read More

The Abundant Sense of a Community Organizer

There is a group of people whose sense of what we can do together is abundant. They are known as community organizers. Their specialty is connecting people who want to make the world more just, equal, accessible and inclusive. They … Read More