Community Living Windsor

The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) tells businesses and organizations they must provide access for people with disabilities in the areas of transportation, customer service, information and communication, employment, and buildings and outdoor spaces.

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms is a law that protects the human rights of every Canadian citizen.

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is an international treaty that describes the rights and freedoms of people around the world who have a disability. All countries that are part of the United Nations - including Canada - must promote, protect and ensure those rights.

"It's a Matter of Rights"  is a booklet about your rights and how to stand up for them. It tells 12 stories about rights through pictures, words and voice. There is also a CD which tells each story.

The Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) Income Support is an Ontario government program that gives money to adults who have a disability. The money comes every month and is to be used for housing, food, and clothing.

Many people who have a disability can work and want to work.  Employment Supports under the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) can be accessed by or on behalf of a person who meets the disability definition, even if the person is not entitled to receive income support because he or she does not meet the standard of financial need.

Special Services at Home (SSAH) is a family directed program funded provincially by Ontario's Ministry of Community and Social Services. It is available for children and adults with an intellectual disability and children with a physical disability.

People who have an intellectual disability can use Passport funding to buy supports and services. The funding must be used to help you be more involved in your community. The money is usually provided for three years.

The Assistive Devices Program (ADP) is an Ontario government program that provides funding for those with long-term physical disabilities. Devices covered by the program are intended to enable people increase their independence.

The Home and Vehicle Modification Program (HVMP) provides funding so that people with physical limitations can do basic home and/or vehicle modifications.

An Absolute Discretionary Trust, also known as a "Henson Trust", is way to provide ongoing supplementary financial support from the family’s resources without jeopardizing the disabled individual’s right to receive ODSP income support.

In 2008, the Federal Government introduced a “Registered Disability Savings Plan” (RDSP). The purpose of this program is to enable families and individuals with disabilities to accumulate a financial nest-egg to relieve the person of the poverty that very often accompanies having a disability. The Federal Government will promote the use of RDSPs for long-term savings by making its own generous contributions that must be left within the Plan for at least ten years.

Community Living Windsor believes that we are all equal citizens of a community where everyone belongs.  Communities where people live in ordinary homes, work at regular jobs and participate in activities alongside their friends and neighbours.  We believe that institutions are no longer relevant today and that no one should be isolated and segregated in such a manner.

Community Living Windsor supports the freedom of individuals and their families to make choices and supports individualized funding as an option for people and families.

In 2004, the Ontario Human Rights Commission clearly stated it is a child’s right to an inclusive education. However, reports show that a large percentage of children continue to be excluded from regular education in Canada.

Inclusion is important because it's the way in which all people experience their right to full participation and have the opportunity to make a contribution as citizens. Through participation and inclusion all people have value.

There are many groups across Ontario who want people who have an intellectual disability to be treated equally in society. They are committed to sharing information, raising awareness and calling for action so that people who have an intellectual disability can live well as citizens in community.

The Reflections newsletter is published regularly by Community Living Windsor to keep you up to date on disability related news and issues such as legal rights, government policy, local supports and human interest stories.  You can read or print our most recent edition posted below.  [Please be patient while it downloads!]

The Community Living Ontario website is an electronic newsletter that is updated regularly. It is an excellent source for news, commentary and events related to the topic of intellectual disabilities.  To view the website, click here.