Research activities included a literature review and consultations with key informants in Calgary. The research findings served as a platform for a collaborative discussion between the Committee (which includes representatives from Calgary PDD) and the researchers for a potential revised definitional model. Participants agreed that a revised model had to include a combination of individual measures (e.g., the individual’s support needs), and societal measures (e.g., society’s ability or capacity to respond to these needs). A bi-axial working model was drafted as a result of this discussion.

Phase One of the project ended with the acknowledgement that considerable further work was needed to (i) crystallize the working model and, (ii) pilot-test its practical application within the PDD system and, potentially, across other service systems. This is the focus of Phase Two.

Phase I Complete. May 2007 - August 2007.
Phase II In progress. September 2007 - August 2008.

• Sonpal-Valias, N., & Sharara, N. (July, 2007). Services for individuals with complex needs in the Calgary Region: Phase I developing a definition of complex needs. Prepared for Complex Needs Advisory Committee and Calgary Region Community Board - Persons with Developmental Disabilities. The Vocational and Rehabilitation Research Institute.
• Sonpal-Valias, N., & Sharara, N. Developing a Definition of Complex Needs Phase One (August, 2007). Disability Digest Vol. 18(2).
• Sonpal-Valias, N., & Sharara, N. (April, 2008). Highlighting the Calgary initiative in complex needs. Paper presentation at the Our future, Our Design, ACDS Conference. Edmonton, AB.
• Sonpal-Valias, N., & Sharara, N. (May, 2008). Developing a conceptual definition of complex needs: Learnings from a collaborative approach. Poster presentation at the New Professional: Leadership in Science, Practice, Policy and Advocacy, AAIDD Conference. Washington, D.C.

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