Centre for Independent Living in Toronto
Suite 902-365 Bloor St East M4W3L4 Toronto, ON, Canada

CILT invites you to Self-Advocating for Accessible Mental Health Supports for People with Disabilities During COVID-19 Zoom presentation on Thursday December 10, 2020 1:00-2:30 PM Eastern. Description: Building self-advocacy skills for accessing mental health supports responds to the ableist attitudes, policies and inequitable access historically experienced by people with disabilities in Ontario. Webinar will expand awareness of potential challenges to accessing mental heal...th care and will develop skills for self-identifying support needs and self-advocating to have those needs met during and beyond the pandemic. When: Thursday December 10, 2020 1:00-2:30 PM Eastern Time (Canada) Register in advance for this meeting at: https://us02web.zoom.us//tZcrceutpzwjGtVAIGgFiD7DsvDlAKa-G This workshop will have following objectives: 1) Includes knowing when to seek mental health support 2) How to determine a provider’s disability lens 3) How to ensure your access needs are being met 4) Question and Answers 5) Resources If you need assistance with registering please e-mail [email protected] or call 416-599-2458 ext 291. Please note, you will not be able to join the session without registering first. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Workshop Presenters: Samantha Abel, PhD, RSW, Social Worker, Flemingdon Health Centre Janet Rodriguez, Lived Experience Advisor; Health Mentor for Inter professional education Workshop Facilitators: John Mossa, Independent Living Skills Coordinator, Centre for Independent Living in Toronto (CILT) Rebecca Wood, Peer and Parenting Program Coordinator, Centre for Independent Living in Toronto (CILT) Sincerely

Here’s our drop of Episode 3 of Breaking Expectations, our 4-episode podcast on the Joys of Disability. D-Next interviews a panel of disabled artists and activists who share cool insights about the disability pride & empowerment they gained from accessing their mobility aids. Many thanks to Kate Welsh of cripcounseling, Ingrid Palmer Don Barrie, Adam Cohoon and Paul Benson! And thank You Ontario Trillium Foundation and United Way Greater Toronto. https://youtu.be/YgnevLtXOk0

CILT still has much space in each of our 2 webinars that provide people with disabilities up-to-date practical info on Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) practices that can reduce their COVID-19 transmission risks. The virtual Zoom session will be led by IPAC specialist, Tim Valyear. Please register for one of the 2 workshops through the link below: When: Monday November 23, 2020, 1pm-300pm Register in advance for this meeting at: ... https://us02web.zoom.us/.../reg.../WN_aNT7-EWjQMWCjG2QFDlVIg Or When: Friday November 27, 2020, 1pm-300pm Register in advance for this meeting at: https://us02web.zoom.us/.../reg.../WN_w1088jvHSL6V76eLMVoPLw See more

CILT invites you to The Second Wave: Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) for COVID-19 and People with Disabilities Zoom Webinar Topic: Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) and COVID-19 for People with Disabilities Description: CILT will be providing two sessions of the same workshop on IPAC education to empower people with disabilities in making informed choices about COVID-19, PPE use, and infection control measures. This will help people with disabilities to reduc...e their transmission risk so they can live more independently during the second wave of this pandemic. Both sessions cover the same content, so you are asked to choose one date. When: Monday November 23, 2020, 1pm-300pm Register in advance for this meeting at: https://us02web.zoom.us//register/WN_aNT7-EWjQMWCjG2QFDlVIg Or When: Friday November 27, 2020, 1pm-300pm Register in advance for this meeting at: https://us02web.zoom.us//register/WN_w1088jvHSL6V76eLMVoPLw This workshop will cover the following topics: 1) Importance of Infection Control 2) Routine Practices to Prevent Infections 3) What Causes and How to Prevent the Flu and Covid-19 4) The Importance of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Different Types of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and How to Use it Properly 5) Question and Answers 6) Resources If you need assistance with registering please or e-mail [email protected] or call 416-599-2458 ext 291. Please note, you will not be able to join the session without registering first. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Workshop Presenter: Timothy Valyear, RPN, Owner, Integrity Care Consultants Inc. Workshop Facilitators: David Meyers, Senior Manager of Independent Living Programs, Centre for Independent Living in Toronto (CILT) Leisa DeBono, Direct Funding Program Manager, Centre for Independent Living in Toronto (CILT) John Mossa, Independent Living Skills Coordinator, Centre for Independent Living in Toronto (CILT) Rebecca Wood, Peer and Parenting Program Coordinator, Centre for Independent Living in Toronto (CILT) CILT funding support provided by United Way Greater Toronto, City of Toronto, Toronto Central Local Health Integration Network (LHIN), and Independent Living Canada.

D-Next Presents Caring in a Crisis: Lindsay Couture [PART 2] In this interview, a personal support worker (PSW) explores some key impacts of COVID-19 on personal support workers (PSWs) providing attendant services and the clients they serve. Lindsay is interviewed by Jason Herterich, creater of Discomfort Zone Podcast.

CILT’s thrilled to premier Episode 2 of our series, BREAKING EXPECTATIONS: 'Disabled Joy through Interdependence.' In this episode, we ask a panel of guests to share ways their mobility aids have helped them understand how interdependence and engaging with community have helped them live richer, fuller lives. Kudos to storytellers Gabe, Kate, Don, Stevia and Paul. * With special thanks to Ontario Trillium Foundation and United Way Greater Toronto https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZT60qRpg6NQ

D-Next Presents PART 1 of Caring in a Crisis: Melissa Graham. The first of a 4-episode podcast mini-series produced by Jason Herterich, creator of Discomfort Zone Podcast, in partnership with D-Next. The series features stories on how the disability community is being impacted by COVID-19

Our Executive Director, Wendy Porch, deputed yesterday at Toronto Council's Executive Committee on the City of Toronto’s COVID-19 recovery plan. She strongly stated that Torontonians with disabilities are invisible in City’s recovery plan, listing specific actions it must take so our community is no longer left out, but truly included in Toronto's COVID recovery! Here it is: https://youtu.be/yUSQ-TYHAKM

CILT's interview with Meagan Gillmore at AMI regarding Food Access and Insecurity in Adults with Mobility Disabilities You are invited to listen CILT's interview with Meagan Gillmore at AMI about Food Access and Insecurity in Adults with Mobility Disabilities this Wednesday Nov 11 episode at 9:27am eastern of "Now with Dave Brown" on AMI. You can listen live at www.ami.ca/listenlive. "

CILT and D-Next Accessible Media lab present BREAKING EXPECTATIONS, a 4-Episode podcast on the joys of disability. In Episode 1: 'Mobility Devices Spark Joy,' we interview folks with lived experience who dispel myths about mobility devices being negative aspects of one's life, revealing them as resources that bring joy and value to it. Congrats to the team, Gabe Thibault, Ingrid Palmer, Paul Benson and Adam Cohoon for your story launch! Watch for Episode 2, 3 and 4 over the next 3 days. https://youtu.be/3Q_-wizjYqE

.We’re honoured to share this tribute video screened at last Friday’s AGM: "Remembering Sandra Carpenter, Disability Rights Pioneer and IL Visionary." Over a 30+ year career, Sandra, CILT's founder, moved forward independent living & the ability of Ontarians with disabilities to live freely in the community. #RIP and Power Sandra. (1954 -2020) https://youtu.be/T1iOLRn0pI8

CILT invites you to: 'Food Access & Insecurity in Adults with Mobility Disabilities,' a presentation by Dr. Naomi Schwartz. Thursday Nov 5, 2020, 1-2pm Eastern People with disabilities experience higher risks of food insecurity relative to the general population. Dr. Schwartz's research looked at the environmental, political, and institutional contexts that impact economic and physical access to food for people with mobility disabilities in Toronto, Canada. To register:https://us02web.zoom.us//tZYpf-qgqToqHdT2etkEMOEpyFUyqJMrz

CILT is inviting you to Food Access and Insecurity in Adults with Mobility Disabilities Research Findings Presentation by Dr. Naomi Schwartz. The invite is also attached. Description: Dr. Schwartz will present a summary of her research regarding Food Access and Insecurity in Adults with Mobility Disabilities that was completed in August 2020. People with disabilities experience greater risk of food insecurity compared to people without disabilities. Naomi’s work examined the... reasons for this inequality. Specifically, her research looked at the environmental, political, and institutional contexts that impact economic and physical access to food for people with mobility disabilities in Toronto, Canada. CILT assisted Dr. Schwartz’s research study by promoting and doing community outreach to find and help recruit participants with mobility disabilities. When: Thursday November 5, 2020, 1:00pm-2:00pm Register in advance for this meeting at: https://us02web.zoom.us//tZYpf-qgqToqHdT2etkEMOEpyFUyqJMrz This workshop will have following objectives: 1) Explain the study’s use of different theoretical approaches 2) Summary of research and major findings regarding Food Access and Insecurity 3) Recommendations 4) Question and Answers 5) Resources After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Captioning will be provided. Other accommodation will be provided by request. For any questions, please email John Mossa at [email protected] or Tel: 416-599-2458 ext.238 Presenter: Dr. Naomi Schwartz, Doctor of Philosophy, Department of Geography and Planning, University of Toronto Workshop facilitator: John Mossa, Independent Living Skills Coordinator, Centre for Independent Living in Toronto (CILT)

City Arts & Lectures event with Alice Wong of Disability Visibility in conversation with W. Kamau Bell. Monday, October 19, 6pm Pacific/9pm Eastern

Next week the Mayor's Executive Committee is meeting to discuss Toronto's COVID recovery. This is your chance to tell Mayor Tory and City Council what you want ...for our city's future. A lot is at stake. We are teaming up with the Toronto Youth Cabinet to offer a How to Speak at a Government Committee training! Join on Monday, October 19 at 6PM to learn the basics of making a deputation and how you can demand more for Toronto. Learn more and sign up here: https://www.progresstoronto.ca/fall-training-series-oct-19-

With writer Dorothy Palmer's win last night of our 'Helen Henderson Literary Award,' we're happy to re-share her 2020 article: "What my scooter taught me about barriers." ://broadview.org/scooter-accessibility

At last night's AGM, writer and disability advocate, Dorothy Palmer received our annual Helen Henderson Literary Award. In her acceptance speech, Dorothy said that she was accepting the award on behalf of all disabled writers & hoped that "winning it will make it more possible for disabled writers to claim their space" as she has! *Congrats and thanks for you ongoing support of literary inclusion for disabled writers, Dorothy!

Inclusion has a broader meaning than integration, and recognizes that being in the community is not enough, and that people desire to be active citizens of the community. Integration plus accommodation equals inclusion. Remembering Sandra Carpenter’s vision of inclusion at tonight’s CILT AGM.

We've thrilled to be conducting CILT's virtual and 36th AGM! Besides reflecting on the past year's trials & highs, a major highlight will be a long-awaited for tribute to our beloved founding Executive Director, Sandra Carpenter, who passed away suddenly last January. #RIP and Power Sandra.

CILT invites applications for the position of Operations Assistant (Full-Time). Interested in joining a team of staff with a genuine appreciation for the Independent Living philosophy? We are a small, mighty Operation Team where excellent interpersonal skills, a strong customer service ethic, and attention to detail matter. *CILT is an equal opportunity employer. People with lived experience of disability are encouraged to apply. https://www.cilt.ca/whats-new/job-opportuniti