Shauna McCallum

Chrysalis: An Alberta Society for Citizens with Disabilities

In 1968, Chrysalis began as a Centennial project under the direction of the University of Alberta and was created by parents and community members who realized that adults with disabilities deserved equal opportunities to contribute to their communities. Chrysalis was one of the first of its kind in the world, an agency especially planned for training adults with developmental disabilities to produce manufactured goods using automated machinery. Through Chrysalis, individuals were offered, for the first time ever, alternatives to staying in school or remaining inactive all day long in their residential settings. Today, Chrysalis offers personalized services to help thousands of people with disabilities receive training, develop life and vocational skills, find employment, discover volunteer opportunities, and realize a better quality of life.