Community Living Ontario
1 Valleybrook Dr # 201 M3B 2S7 Toronto, ON, Canada

On behalf of the Sector Pandemic Planning Initiative, we asked PooranLaw to provide an opinion with respect to COVID-19 vaccination policies for people supported by agencies in the Developmental Services sector. Read the PLAIN LANGUAGE analysis https://bit.ly/3j5WfXV

In this week’s edition of Update Friday, what agencies need to know about developing COVID-19 vaccination policies, an update from CLO’s Council, our Cooking for Community virtual fundraiser and more. Read the full edition: bit.ly/36rMFtg

The Community Living Ontario Foundation is seeking a board member with management skills, leadership experience and a collaborative mindset. If you want to contribute to growing the impact of Community Living Ontario’s work we want to hear from you! Learn more and apply: bit.ly/clof-ba

1 in 2 adults who have an intellectual disability have experienced mental health issues. On this #BellLetsTalk day, let us think about how we can ensure conversations around mental health include everyone. Today, every time you use the Bell Let’s Talk Facebook frame or watch the video below, Bell will donate 5 more towards mental health initiatives. If you or someone you love needs mental health support in Ontario, head to this page: bit.ly/3pueYyG

Community Living Ontario Chief Executive Officer Chris Beesley wrote on what's wrong with placing people who have intellectual or developmental disabilities in long-term care, and what we can do to put an end to this practice. Read the full op-ed: bit.ly/3iZfLW3

Joanne Weber, a deaf educator and researcher from Regina, Saskatchewan, has been named the first Canada Research Chair in Deaf Education. In this newly created research chair, Weber plans to explore how inclusive education can incorporate more dialogue and self-expression for deaf students, particularly through the arts.

The members of NVA have partnered with members of the Queenslanders with Disabilities Network and Hot topic members in Queensland, Australia and Teegatha Oh Zheh, Whitehorse to plan and host a virtual event in celebration of International Day of Persons with Disabilities. This event will be held virtually on December 3, 2020 via Zoom, showcasing groups and organizations from across Canada and Australia. The Zoom link will be emailed to registrants by Monday November 30th. For further information or questions please contact Vicky Pearson at [email protected]

Community Living Ontario has serious concerns about Bill C-7, which will expand access to Medical Assistance in Dying in Canada. If you share our concerns, use our tool to send a letter to your MP and senators ad make your voice heard: bit.ly/c7letter Parliamentary discussion of the bill is reaching its final stages. At this point, there is a real risk that the legislation will pass but we have one last opportunity to speak up and try to prevent this from happening.

Young Canadians with a vision for a more inclusive Canada do you aspire to create meaningful change and inspire others? This three-part masterclass series from Reaction4Inclusion, Community Living Ontario and The Beanstalk Project is for you! Create change through the art of storytelling with other youth leaders and let your story be heard! Join us: bit.ly/oyu-series

In this opinion piece, Gabrielle Peters underscores the potential dangers of medical assistance in dying (MAiD) for Canadians who have disabilities. She explains that some Canadians are considering MAiD because they literally cannot afford to keep themselves alive, thanks to the paltry financial supports offered to them. Rather than being simply forgotten, Peters suggests that people with disabilities are being deliberately excluded and that this exclusion is nothing new. Read the full article by clicking the link below. If you are opposed to Bill C-7, write to your MP using our online tool: bit.ly/c7letter

With many aspects of our lives going digital this year, this free webinar will provide you with crucial information surrounding your potential digital vulnerabilities. Join us as Kelly McKinney from McDougall talks about cyber attacks, current trends, prevention and insurance solutions. Please click the registration link below and join us on Thursday, November 5th, 2020 from 12:00pm to 1:00pm EDT. Register now: bit.ly/3mx6kxF

The Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon Charity Challenge is almost over. There is still time to show your support! Every dollar raised will provide young people who have an intellectual disability with the chance to pursue professional development or personal interest opportunities within their communities across Ontario. Donate to Team Inspire Possibilities today: bit.ly/2T8qVvB

Over the past eight months, people who have an intellectual disability, their families and service agencies have stepped up to the challenge of COVID-19. The provincial government has taken important steps to lend a hand, including the implementation of Pandemic Pay, changes to Passport funding, the COVID-19 Residential Relief Fund (CRRF), and emergency orders that have provided crucial staffing flexibility. Despite this, Ontario’s developmental services sector faces a prec...arious near future. Community Living Ontario’s pre-budget brief offers concrete steps the provincial government can take to address short-term issues, support the health of people who utilize the services of front-line agencies, and set a path for the future that will allow more people who have an intellectual disability to get the services and supports they need to achieve a better quality of life: bit.ly/35GBUSH See more

Community Living Ontario's vision of a more inclusive society would not be possible without youth champions. Young people have the power to inspire inclusion and change the future for people who have an intellectual disability. Find out how you can help mobilize youth-led change today: bit.ly/youthledchange #MobilizeChange ... #WeAreCommunityLiving See more

Many Community Living organizations across Ontario have ended the practice of hosting centralized day supports for people labelled as having a developmental disability. People, families, and sector leaders have been at the forefront of an evolution to support people to create typical lives in their communities. Read more about five ideas on the evolution: bit.ly/2HdwLJO

Last week’s response was great! This week's challenge will focus on celebrating your community. Head to bit.ly/ig-r4i to learn more and participate! #OntarioYouthUnited #communityisnotcanceled

Join Hand Over Hand on Monday, November 2nd from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. EDT for a (virtual) disability positive art exhibit. The exhibit celebrates the artwork of their members who have a disability. To attend, please RSVP to [email protected] by October 30th. Download the flyer: bit.ly/31NUYxq

In this week’s edition of Update Friday, read our open letter to MPs on Bill C-7, donate to inspire youth-led change, register for an International Day of Persons with Disabilities virtual event and more. Read the full edition: bit.ly/2ULHGh6

The Ministry of Children, Community and Social Service (MCCSS) has launched an online discussion paper and survey to support its planned reform of Ontario’s developmental services sector. The Ministry is seeking ideas, comments and feedback, and it is crucial that as many stakeholders as possible to participate in the consultation. The consultation survey will close on December 4, 2020. The survey takes about 45 minutes to complete, and you can answer as many of the questions as you would like. Learn more and take the survey: bit.ly/3lD7nMh

Week 2 of the Youth Advisory Council's inclusive education campaign kicks off with a message for Educational Assistants! Youth need you to support them in building community in schools. #OntarioYouthUnited #communityisnotcanceled

The Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon Charity Challenge is under way and Community Living Ontario is participating all month. More than ever, we need your support. Every dollar raised will go to the Anne Stafford Bursary this year. Donate to Team Inspire Possibilities today: bit.ly/2T8qVvB Your donation will provide more people who have an intellectual disability with the chance to pursue professional development or personal interest opportunities within their communities across Ontario.

In this week’s edition of Update Friday, make your voice heard on Ontario’s reform of developmental services sector, a piece on the de-congregation of day supports, register for a session about the Disability Tax Credit and more. Read the full edition: bit.ly/3lt4CNz

It’s estimated that only about 25% of people who have a disability received the $600 COVID Disability Benefit that was paid on October 30th. Millions of people were left behind. People on ODSP didn’t automatically receive the benefit. If you didn’t get the benefit, you have until December 31 to apply for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC). If you qualify for the DTC, you will be eligible for the payment and other important benefits but the application process is confusing and can be overwhelming. Join Jill Teeple and Dr. Wayne MacLeod on November 23 from 7:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. EST to learn about the Disability Tax Credit, the benefits of applying, how to talk your doctor to help them fill out the application, how to apply to increase your chances of approval. Register now: bit.ly/35nrHLZ

In this week’s edition of Update Friday, the federal government extends the deadline to apply for the DTC, a heartwarming story from Student Links, a free webinar on digital security and more. Read the full edition: bit.ly/3ksN5ou

Michael Jacques is an author and Vice President of Community Living Ontario's Board of Directors. His newest book, I Belong: Can I Play? is a children's book co-written with Heather Gale that teaches the importance of inclusion, friendship, and belonging: heresmybook.com/

Awake Labs builds technology to help adults who have an intellectual disability manage their daily stress and anxiety. The watch detects stress in the early stages so you can catch it before it escalates. In partnership with Community Living Ontario, they are giving away 1-year licenses to their app and a Samsung Galaxy Smartwatch! The final draw is on October 23rd. Enter for a chance to win access to the technology being used by self-advocates and families across Ontario to ...improve wellbeing and have calmer, happier days. Learn more and enter the draw: awakelabs.com/CLOntario

The Story Labs team at Microsoft has created a seven-part video series called Simple Things Count: Seven ways to be more inclusive of people of disabilities. The series covers accessible content, inclusive design and more. Watch the videos: bit.ly/3fdtFlK

The Youth Advisory Council's first challenge starts today! Educators, ready to accept? For more information about the challenge and to participate in this week's poll, head to: bit.ly/ig-r4i

Congratulations to the winners of the October 16th draw! Don't worry if you missed out - there's still time to enter! Awake Labs builds technology to help adults who have an intellectual disability manage their daily stress and anxiety. The watch detects stress in the early stages so you can catch it before it escalates. It is being used by self-advocates and families across Ontario to improve wellbeing and have calmer, happier days. In partnership with Community Living Ontar...io, Awake Labs is giving away 1-year licenses to their app and a Samsung Galaxy Smartwatch! The final draw is on October 23rd. To learn more about how you could win, visit awakelabs.com/CLOntario

Have any questions about our Estate Planning Guide or estate planing in general? Join us and PooranLaw Professional Corporation tomorrow from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. EDT. Brendon Pooran will give an overview of the guide and answer your questions. The webinar is the first in a series of informative sessions geared toward families. Register to join us: bit.ly/30jrMO0

Community Living Ontario is participating in the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon Charity Challenge again this year. Though the race itself looks different this year, we still need your support! Every dollar raised will go to the Anne Stafford Bursary Your donation will provide more people who have an intellectual disability with the chance to pursue professional development or personal interest opportunities within their communities.... Donate to Team Inspire Possibilities today: bit.ly/2T8qVvB