Managing Conflict

The Alberta Council of Disability Services (ACDS) is a non-profit association of Community Disability Services (CDS) sector organizations in Alberta. Our member-driven organization works closely with the Government of Alberta and other partners to strengthen the CDS sector to benefit Albertans with developmental disabilities. 

We were established in 1972 by a group of vocational service operators as the Alberta Association of Rehabilitation Centers (AARC). Incorporated the following year in 1973, AARC functioned as a nonprofit society governed by a provincial volunteer Board of Directors.

In 2006, the membership recommended and approved a change to our name, reflecting our proactive rebranding of the work in our field, and we became the Alberta Council of Disability Services. 

Our vision 
People with disabilities live full lives as citizens supported by a vibrant network of services in their communities.

Our mission 
ACDS is the collective voice of our members, advancing excellence and best practices, advocating for effective public policy, and championing professional disability services

Our value 
With over 145 members, we collectively influence the policy agenda related to persons with developmental disabilities and the organizations that support them. And, through our progressive