Parents of Disabled Students Scramble as Alberta Teachers Plan Strike

With Alberta teachers preparing to strike on Monday, parents across the province are scrambling to make childcare arrangements. But for families raising children with disabilities, the challenge is even greater—and many say government support is falling short.

The Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) has confirmed that its members will walk off the job on October 6 if no deal is reached with the provincial government. The strike would mark the first provincewide teacher strike in Alberta history, after 89.5 per cent of teachers voted against the latest contract offer. While the ATA said “exploratory conversations” with the government resumed Friday, union leaders stressed that the strike is still on the table.

Families of Disabled Children Struggle With Care Costs

Parents who rely on Alberta’s Family Support for Children with Disabilities (FSCD) program say current rules leave them without funding during school hours. This gap forces them to seek specialized childcare, often costing around $25 an hour—a financial burden many cannot afford.

“For disabled kids, we can’t just call on the teenager down the street,” said Keltie Marshall, co-founder of Hold My Hand Alberta, an advocacy group for families of children with disabilities. Along with co-founder Shantel Mogos, Marshall sent a letter this week urging the FSCD program to extend coverage during the strike.

“Our families are disproportionately hit from all sides,” Marshall said. “It feels like nobody is stepping up to recognize this and offer real solutions.”

Parents Left Without Options

In Edmonton, Dave White worries about his nine-year-old son, who has cerebral palsy. Although his child attends a YMCA after-school program, the facility cannot extend care during the day because FSCD only covers support before 9 a.m. and after 3 p.m.

“There’s this giant gap where vulnerable children are excluded from activities they would normally be entitled to,” White said. He fears the strike will cut off his son’s daily social connections and progress in school.

Pressure Mounts on Families and Workplaces

The uncertainty is forcing some parents to consider staying home from work, despite many already using up their leave during a previous support staff strike earlier this year.

Trish Bowman, CEO of Inclusion Alberta, warned that families could face job losses.

“If they can’t go to work, employers can only accommodate that for so long,” she said. “The biggest fear for families right now is the potential loss of employment.”

Bowman argued that the province could provide temporary FSCD funding during school hours and extend support for students over 12 who require assistance.

Uncertain Road Ahead

With the strike deadline looming, families say they are running out of time and options. For White, the biggest concern is the disruption to his son’s stability.

“It’s taking away his whole social network,” he said. “It’s really going to have an impact on him for sure.”

As negotiations continue, parents are left waiting—and hoping—for a resolution that addresses the needs of Alberta’s most vulnerable children.