Spring!

By Raymond D. Cohen

Spring -- a time of renewal, fresh life, optimism? These words might strike a rather cynical chord in the hearts of some of our readers. After all, in this age of government cutbacks, increasing uncertainty and continued oppression (of some fairly basic human rights), remembering to smell
the springtime flowers may not be at the very top of everybody’s list of priorities.

But, I tell you, it’s probably more important to smell those daisies now than it is during more prosperous times. Somehow, they serve as a reminder that life can be sweeter...

Clearly, spring flowers, as beautiful as they may be, serve as a metaphor here; a metaphor for finding that proverbial silver lining (hey, at the risk of inducing nausea in the readership, we’ve now got metaphors within metaphors!); that silver lining, that learning, which comes with each
difficult time, with each crisis.

Okay, for those of you still with me (in spite of the absolute gushing I’ve just allowed myself), perhaps a slightly more philosophical bent is now in order. Maybe the reason I am finding so many positives is because of the mandate we at ABILITIES work under. Our mission is to provide Information, Inspiration and Opportunity. And as far as I am aware, the only mode for delivering on this mission is communication.

Communication with each other is the only way I know of to gain momentum around important issues; the only method to share life-enhancing information; and the only key to power when your voice must be heard above the general din.

So, with this in mind, I would like once more to send out an invitation to you, the thousands of people who, four times a year, pick up and read ABILITIES. The invitation is to use this publication as your voice. Get in touch with us regarding the issues that are important to you and
use ABILITIES to communicate these matters to the rest of the world. People who matter are listening.

Your effort will be worthwhile.

Here are a few ways you might like to join the Canadian Abilities Foundation in its mission...

SUBSCRIBE!
If you are one of those readers who has enjoyed one or more free copies of ABILITIES through our numerous introductory offers, consider becoming an actual subscriber. We rely on the subscription dollar to support the magazine. So do the numerous other projects of the Canadian
Abilities Foundation.

DONATE!
If you are in one of those situations where your heart and your head are combining to bring you to a charitable place, the Canadian Abilities Foundation is doing enough good work in the world to be worthy of your consideration.

JOIN OUR SUBSCRIPTION PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM!
If you represent a charitable organization, why not consider joining the many others already benefiting from our Subscription Partnership Program? Your members will get a break on our already reasonable subscription rates, and we’ll share the subscription dollar with your group.

SPREAD THE WORD
Get in touch with the contacts you’ll find in every issue of ABILITIES -- and let them know that you learned about them in this magazine. This helps everybody appreciate the value of having a communication vehicle such as ABILITIES around.

What do I mean by contacts? Consider: In addition to the usual array of products, services and articles, every issue of ABILITIES is jam-packed with important news from organizations such as the Canadian Wheelchair Sports Association, the Council of Canadians with Disabilities, the Canadian Association of Independent Living Centres, the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists and the Ontario March of Dimes. Starting this issue, we are proud to announce that the Office of Disability Issues of British Columbia will be joining the ranks of groups appearing in every issue of ABILITIES.

And don’t forget about our bid to be as accessible as possible.

ABILITIES is available in a variety of formats, including large print, computer disk, audio cassette tape and clear language.

Also, word from the Canadian Abilities Foundation now comes to you on the Internet! Here’s how: If you are online, check out http://indie.ca at Canada’s new Integrated Network of Disability Information and Education (Indie). Indie is a brand-new development and wants your feedback before its official springtime launch. ABILITIES is there, amid a myriad of rapidly growing information and resources. Look for more information on Indie in this issue of ABILITIES.

WEB SITES ’R US!
Speaking of the Internet, we have another important service to offer. The Canadian Abilities Foundation is now accepting contracts to help other organizations to establish their own sites on the Internet. And, if you are a disability resource, we will help you find a "home" on INDIE.

NATIONAL DIRECTORY OF DISABILITY ORGANIZATIONS
In a related vein, ABILITIES is putting the final touches to a National Directory of Disability Organizations. This directory, in addition to being accessible through INDIE, will be modestly priced and available in paper copy to anyone wanting the most comprehensive listing of Canadian
disability organizations ever compiled.

NAAW ’96 CALENDAR OFFER
One final word: ABILITIES, as a partner organization of National Access Awareness Week, is producing an attractive poster-calendar to help celebrate this year’s coast-to-coast events. If you’d like to put in your order for your free NAAW poster-calendar, just drop us a line -- and we’ll add you to the list.

Stay in touch!