Progressive Alternatives Society of Calgary (PASC)

Thank you to the facilitators and team, as well as all other disability support professionals during Community Disability Services Professional Appreciation Week May 18-24. Your passion and dedication ensures that those we serve are able to seek out the good life as any of us would strive to experience it.

Jim doesn’t always prefer to say a lot of words. He knows many, he does say some, but chooses to show, display and connect in other ways. He has cultural roots from the Philippines, Spain, Canada and more; as his parents immigrated their family to Canada to plant new roots and use their talents. While Jim has displayed many talents throughout the years, whether it be musical, hands-on work at work and other roles such as bike mechanics, soldering chips and most recently in his career at Village Brewery where he’s been working in various areas of production.

Recently, a hidden talent has been discovered, as Jim demonstrated not only an affinity for painting, but a talent that he shares with his mother Cora. His father who recently passed away, Santiago, loved to see Jim’s “talento oculto”, as it’s the name that’s inspired this upcoming show for him. Over the past few years, Jim’s been working on his painting skills at a local studio, in addition to painting together with his mother as he’s found working on his art a wonderful way to express himself and work through the recent loss of his father. His work ranges from his pivotal “Burger”, which gave rise to using that image for his event. A burger, is much more than just a tasty meal; it’s a way he finds a break and connection with others throughout the day, or a reward at the end of a hard day’s work. Jim’s also taken inspiration from nature, the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary and other moments in time from his day to day.

We welcome you to join on Friday May 8 from 4-7pm at Village Brewery for Jim’s first art show, Talento Oculto. He will have his works on display, with some of his paintings on sale. Please follow Jim at on Instagram, as well as check at and for details about the event, and RSVP on the Showpass link provided as space is limited.

RSVP for a free ticket here:
https://www.showpass.com/talento-oculto-a-jim-del-pozo-art-exhibition/

“Talento Oculto”: A Jim del Pozo Art Exhibition 🎨🗓️ Friday, May 8 | 4-7 PM | Free Event Celebrate Jim del Pozo, one of our longest-tenured team members, as he becomes our resident artist with his debut exhibition, “Talento Oculto”, which translates to Hidden Talent. Join us for a fun evening of great art, good vibes, and tasty beers. Tap the link in bio to RSVP for your spot. 📍5000 12a St SE

Visibility is the first step toward true belonging.

At PASC, we believe in a workplace and world where every individual—regardless of ability or gender identity—is empowered to live their most authentic life. Today, on Transgender Day of Visibility, we celebrate the strength, resilience, and joy of the trans and non-binary community.

We are proud to stand as allies, working toward a future where every neighbour is safe, seen, and supported.

Visibility is the first step toward true belonging. At PASC, we believe in a workplace and world where every individual—regardless of ability or gender identity—is empowered to live their most authentic life. Today, on Transgender Day of Visibility, we celebrate the strength, resilience, and joy of the trans and non-binary community. We are proud to stand as allies, working toward a future where every neighbour is safe, seen, and supported. #TDOV2026 #TransDayOfVisibility #PASCalgary #InclusiveYYC

🎄✨ Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from all of us at PASC! ✨🎄

As the year comes to a close, we want to thank our incredible community — the individuals we support, our families, partners, employers, and supporters — for being such an important part of what we do.

We’re grateful for another year of connection, growth, and meaningful work, and we look forward to what’s ahead in the new year.

Wishing you a joyful holiday season filled with warmth, peace, and happiness. 💙

🌍 International Day of Persons with Disabilities 🌍
Today, we celebrate the vital contributions, perspectives, and talents that people with disabilities bring to our communities, workplaces, and society as a whole. Inclusion isn’t just a value—it’s a strength that enriches all of us. Today is IDPD, or International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

Yesterday, JSS Barristers celebrated one year of having Josh as part of their team. They also wanted to share their positive experience working with PASC and, most importantly, highlight Josh’s meaningful contributions to their work culture. We want to thank JSS Barristers—and PASC board member Gavin Price—for helping create this opportunity, which has allowed their team to benefit from Josh’s perspective, work ethic, and talents.

Let’s continue to build communities and workplaces where everyone has the chance to thrive, belong, and be recognized for what they bring to the table.

💙 Inclusion matters. Opportunity matters. People matter.

Today on International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we celebrate our partnership with the Progressive Alternative Society of Calgary (PASC). PASC connects people with developmental disabilities to meaningful community roles, careers, and professional development opportunities - making Calgary a more inclusive place. We are proud that one of our partners, Gavin Price, sits on the Board of Directors and continues to support PASC’s initiatives, advancing programs that make a real difference in the community. This week, we are also excited to acknowledge Josh Armstrong's one-year anniversary with our Office Services team! Josh joined JSS Barristers last December through our partnership with PASC and has been a wonderful addition - always bringing positivity and dedication to his work. Together, we celebrate the contributions of individuals and organizations that help create a more inclusive and connected community. You can find Gavin and Josh’s profiles on our website and learn more about PASC through the link in our Linktree. #PASC #Calgary #Inclusion #Accessibility #InternationalDayOfPersonsWithDisabilities #Community #JSSBarristers

Today, we honour and remember the brave men and women who served our country with courage and dedication. Their sacrifices—past and present—have secured the freedoms and peace we cherish today.

At PASC, we join Canadians across the nation in reflecting on their legacy of service, resilience, and hope. We are forever grateful to those who gave so much, and we commit to carrying their spirit of compassion and community forward in all that we do.

As we take this day to remember, may we never forget the cost of our freedom.

Lest we forget. 🌺

It's with great sadness we inform you that a former PASC career developer from many years ago, Cal Schuler, passed away last week. Cal was a pillar of advocacy in our city, province and country who held leadership positions at several organizations, as well as running his consulting business Spectra Alternative Solutions. His kind, thoughtful and humorous personality was coupled with an intense drive to ensure others were heard, thought of and at the table when it came to ensuring that inclusion and accessibility weren't just buzz words to be tacked on to a project or outcome, but something to be respected and achieved.

Over the last number years, Cal collaborated with PASC and other organizations in Alberta on several events, as well as advocating the city and province to proclaim Disability Employment Awareness Month, also known as DEAM, and was successful in doing so. As Calgary Alternative Support Services wrote, he was integral in speaking about Bill C-81 and creating accessible workspaces for people with disabilities. Cal certainly made the world a better place by being in it.

We offer our sincere condolences to his family, friends and all that had the privilege of knowing Cal. When more details are available, we will let people know of any details of his memorial and will share that opportunity to pay honour to Cal and the legacy he left behind.

We are deeply saddened to share that our colleague, mentor, and dear friend Cal Schuler has passed away in Calgary.

Cal was an integral part of our Agency and the CAES team. His lived experience and passion for inclusion helped strengthen workplace accessibility and supported many individuals with disabilities in pursuing meaningful employment.

Beyond his work with CAES, Cal was a powerful voice for disability rights in Alberta. He served on the Board of Spinal Cord Injury Alberta, where he was recognized as an active leader at both local and provincial levels. He also founded Spectra Alternative Solutions, delivering disability awareness training and advocating for barrier-free community participation.

In 2022, Cal received the City of Calgary Advisory Committee on Accessibility – Advocacy Award, celebrating his long-standing commitment to improving accessibility in our city.

Cal’s advocacy extended to public speaking, writing, and collaborating to improve policy. He shared personal reflections on disability and inclusion and presented at events such as the deamWORX Conference, speaking on Bill C-81 and the future of accessible workplaces.
The Premier’s Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities recognized him as “a man of vision, commitment and connection,” acknowledging his decades of work.

Cal will be remembered for his warmth, humour, and unwavering dedication to creating a more inclusive world. His legacy lives on in the many lives he touched and the positive change he championed.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and all who were fortunate to know him.
Memorial details will be shared when available.

Hi Everyone! With Halloween now behind us, and the season of giving starting, we're asking for something that's both free and easy... some of that sweet online engagement!

PASC now has an Instagram page, and we'd love for those that use the platform to follow us on there. Please use this QR code below or follow us at https://www.instagram.com/pascyyc/

Truth and Reconciliation Day, also known as Orange Shirt Day, commemorates residential school victims, honours survivors and their families, and acknowledges the inter-generational systemic trauma of residential schools. Acknowledging the truth of these devastating and violent acts of cultural genocide is one small step in a commitment to reconciliation.

As an organization, PASC recognizes the past, and ongoing, damaging effects of colonial and institutional systems on Indigenous people and communities and commits to working towards an inclusive and equitable society for Indigenous people in Canada. PASC supports, and will, within its organizational purview, actively engage in the 10 Principles of Reconciliation outlined by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. PASC is cognizant of the devastation that prejudice and the dismissal of rights and humanity can have on groups of people; we are committed to listen, learn, and act, as called upon by the communities we live in and alongside.

Follow the link to see the event agenda for Calgary: https://www.calgary.ca/events/orange-shirt-day.html

This Saturday Sep. 27 from 10am-5pm, one of the people PASC serves, Andrew Harding, owner of Artist in the Dark, is having an art show selling his mixed media as Villages Calgary on Crowchild Trail (formerly 10,000 Villages). Please come by to check out his amazing art, and purchase something for yourself or someone, holidays will be coming up before we know it. Here's a sneak peek of some of his art being shown tomorrow: