We Advocate
We Advocate is a podcast about empowerment, advocacy, and understanding the systems that affect Albertans with disabilities. Hosted by Gordon VanderLeek, a Calgary wills and estates lawyer, and Annie VanderLeek, a disability advocate, the show explores the intersection of law, policy, and lived experience for people with disabilities and their families.
Each episode breaks down complex topics — from AISH and the new Alberta Disability Assistance Program (ADAP) to support programs both provincial and federal, guardianship & trusteeship for those with disabilities, issues on capacity, and general planning opportunities— in plain language that helps listeners make sense of their rights and options.
With insight, empathy, and a dash of candid conversation, Gordon and Annie share their experiences from both sides of the advocacy table — legal and personal — helping listeners stay informed, prepared, and empowered to navigate life with confidence.
If you care about disability rights, inclusion, legal issues and social policy reform in Alberta and beyond, We Advocate is your trusted voice for clarity and change.
Episodes
010. The Disability Tax Credit: What It Is, Who Qualifies, and Why It Matters
009. Looking Back at 2025 And What Comes Next for Disability Supports in Alberta
008. Myth-Busting AISH: Is It Really “Easy to Get”?
007. Bill 12 – What It Really Means for AISH & ADAP
006. Speaking Out on ADAP: A Conversation with MLA Marie Renaud & Advocate Zachary Weeks
005. Understanding the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) – and Alberta’s Clawback
004. ADAP, ‘Empowerment,’ and the Math: A Conversation with Dr. Gillian Petit
003. Money and Work Under ADAP
002. Who Actually Qualifies for ADAP?
001. Understanding Alberta’s New Disability Assistance Program (ADAP)