Community Living Windsor

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.

Article 19 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights for Persons with Disabilities states that "persons with disabilities have the opportunity to choose their place of residence, where and with whom they live, and are not obliged to live in a particular living arrangement.”

More than 6,500 people have already left institutions in Ontario and are living successfully in their communities.  To date, only two institutions remain open in Ontario - Rideau Regional Centre and Huronia Regional Centre. The Government of Ontario is on target to close these institutions by March 31, 2009. 

While many countries have moved towards a system of supporting people outside of institutions, unfortunately Canada still has seven provinces that operate large institutions.  The Canadian Association for Community Living and People First of Canada have established a Joint Task Force on Deinstitutionalization.  Among their accomplishments is a comprehensive website where you can learn more about deinstitutionalization.  Click here to access this great site. 

The Joint Task Force on Deinstitutionalization has also developed a Declaration of Support for Community Living where you can add your name to the thousands of other Canadians who have affirmed that institutions for people who have an intellectual disability have no place in today`s society.  We encourage all Canadians to add your name to the declaration.  To do so, simply click here.         

If you would like to read even more about deinstitutionalization, please click here to access Community Living Ontario`s overview of this important issue.