Who We Are
Airdrie Inclusive is a community initiative focused on accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities.
We work to support families, businesses, and community organizations in creating spaces where more people can participate in everyday life without unnecessary barriers.
This includes sharing resources, raising awareness, and helping build more inclusive practices within the Airdrie community.
Our story started on October 3, 2016—the day my 10-month-old son had his first seizure.
The year that followed was filled with appointments, unanswered questions, and uncertainty. After nearly a year, we were finally referred to the Special Development Clinic at the Alberta Children's Hospital, where we received answers: my son was diagnosed with autism.
Over time, we were fortunate to have access to specialized services, incredible providers, and a strong support system. With the right supports in place, my son was thriving.
But when we stepped outside of those supports and into the community, we began experiencing a different reality.
Childcare, school, and recreational activities—things children should be able to enjoy—became barriers. I eventually had to leave my job because we could not find childcare equipped to support my son. Programs “designed” to support children with disabilities also faced limitations in their ability to meet his needs alongside other children requiring similar support.
I watched my son struggle to find his place socially—not because he needed to change, but because the world around him was not always prepared to understand him.
Those experiences changed the way I viewed inclusion.
Later, through my involvement with Diverse Mom Connect, I gained an even deeper understanding of the barriers many families face. I realized that while my journey had been incredibly difficult, I had also been incredibly fortunate. I had access to funding, specialized services, and people standing beside me.
Many families and individuals do not have that same support.
When I saw the impact of an intentionally inclusive event—when I watched people experience a space created with them in mind and saw the weight of "do we belong here?" lift from their shoulders—I knew I couldn't unsee it.
I knew inclusion needed to be more than something experienced occasionally.
It needed to become part of what it means to live in Airdrie.
And that is why Airdrie Inclusive was created.
The Story Behind Airdrie Inclusive
Meet The Founder
I started Airdrie Inclusive after seeing, both personally and through community involvement, how many families are quietly navigating barriers that most people never notice.
As a parent of a child with Autism, I’ve experienced how much planning, advocacy, and emotional energy can go into something as simple as going out into the community.
This initiative comes from a desire to change that—to help build a community where inclusion, understanding, and accessibility are part of everyday life in Airdrie.
-Mikayla Butts
Our Perspective
Airdrie Inclusive was inspired by lived experience and a desire to create a community where everyone has the opportunity to participate, connect, and belong.
Our journey began through navigating the world as a family raising a child with autism and recognizing the barriers that many individuals and families face when accessing community spaces, services, and experiences.
While our story began with autism, our vision extends far beyond one diagnosis. Disability and accessibility look different for every person. Some barriers are visible, while others are not. Some individuals need communication supports, others need sensory accommodations, physical accessibility, medical considerations, or simply a community that understands and welcomes them.
We believe inclusion means listening to diverse experiences, learning from one another, and creating solutions that recognize the unique needs of every individual.