The following organizations provide information and support to people with disabilities and their families. Some of these organizations have local chapters across the province as well.
Ability Online
The first social media technology platform for young people with disabilities to connect with each other and the world around them!
Visit abilityonline.org to learn more.
Autism Ontario
The province’s leading source of information and referral on autism and one of the largest collective voices representing the autism community. Autism Ontario is made up of knowledgeable parents, professionals and autistic self-advocates who can speak to the key issues that impact Ontario individuals with autism and their families and loved ones. Members are connected through a volunteer network of 25 Chapters throughout the Province of Ontario.
Visit autismontario.com to learn more.
Children’s Treatment Network
CTN supports over 26,000 children and youth with disabilities and developmental needs in Simcoe County and York Region. We provide intake, service navigation and coordinated service planning, assessment and diagnostic services, specialized clinics and rehabilitation services, including physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech language therapy.
Visit www.ctnsy.ca to learn more.
Bereaved Families of Ontario
Bereavement support programs in Halton-Peel is one example of Bereaved Families organizations across Ontario that provide grief support for grieving children, youth, adults and caregivers.
Visit bereavedfamilies.ca to learn more.
Canadian Organization for Rare Disorders (CORD)
Canadian Organization for Rare Disorders (CORD) provides a strong common voice to advocate for health policy and a healthcare system that works for those with rare disorders.
Visit raredisorders.ca to learn more.
CanChild
CanChild is a research centre dedicated to generating knowledge and transforming the lives of children and youth with developmental conditions and their families. It is also the hub for information on F-Words in Childhood Disability and additional support for families.
Visit canchild.ca to learn more.
Children’s Mental Health Ontario
Children’s Mental Health Ontario (CMHO) is an association representing Ontario’s publicly-funded child and youth mental health centres. CMHO’s nearly 100 member organizations operate in every region of the province, providing treatment and support to children, youth and families. This includes targeted prevention, early intervention, short- and long-term counselling and therapy, addictions services, and intensive services such as residential care.
Visit cmho.org to learn more.
Community Living Ontario
Community Living Ontario is a non-profit, provincial confederation that advocates for people who have an intellectual disability to be fully included in all aspects of community life. There are over 100 local Community Living associations that makeup Community Living Ontario’s membership.
Visit communitylivingontario.ca to learn more.
ConnectABILITY.ca
This excellent resource website was developed for people with developmental distillates and their families. Valuable resources on this site include Family (Support) Groups, as well as tools such as Adapt and Accommodate and a Visual Engine that enables you to make visual supports for your child with picture symbols.
Visit connectability.ca to learn more.
Epilepsy Ontario
Epilepsy Ontario is the voice of epilepsy in the province. They aim to raise public awareness and improve education through publications, conferences, outreach initiatives and their website.
Visit epilepsyontario.org to learn more.
Empowered Kids Ontario
Representing Ontario’s publicly-funded child development and rehabilitation sector. Member organizations provide treatment and support to children, youth and families in every region of Ontario.
Visit empoweredkidsontario.ca to learn more.
Hydrocephalus Canada
After a long and successful history, the Spina bifida and Hydrocephalus Association of Ontario became Hydrocephalus Canada in November of 2017. They support four areas of influence: awareness, education, support and research.
Visit mybrainwaves.ca/hydrocephalus-in-youth to learn more.
Independent Living Services – Simcoe County
Independent Living Services Simcoe County is a CARF Accredited non-profit agency that helps people remain active members of their communities and thrive as independent individuals in their own homes. For over 40 years, ILS has provided individualized personal support services for activities of daily living for adults 16 years and older living with permanent physical disabilities and seniors aging at home. ILS also offers guidance to connect people to resources for assistive devices, home health equipment, home or vehicle modifications, funding, and accessibility-related information.
Visit www.ilssimcoe.ca to learn more.
Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario
Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario (LDAO) is a registered charity dedicated to improving the lives of children, youth and adults with learning disabilities. LDAO offers many resources, services, information, venues and products designed to help people with learning disabilities and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), as well as parents, teachers and other professionals.
Visit ldao.ca to learn more.
March of Dimes Canada
March of Dimes is a community-based rehabilitation and advocacy charity for people with physical disabilities. Their goal is to enhance the independence and community participation of people with physical disabilities every day through a wide range of programs and services across the country. Key programs in Ontario include Home and Vehicle Modification Program and Assistive Devices Program for adults with physical disabilities.
Visit marchofdimes.ca to learn more.
Muscular Dystrophy Canada
A non-profit organization of dedicated volunteers and staff who continually work to provide support and resources to clients who are impacted by one of more than 150 neuromuscular disorders. Through well-funded research, we are on a mission striving to find a cure as soon as possible. Programs include education and financial assistance to eligible members.
Visit muscle.ca to learn more.
Ontario Brain Injury Association
Ontario Brain Injury (OBIA) is a provincial not-for-profit, charitable organization. Their mission is to enhance the lives of Ontarians living with the effects of acquired brain injury (ABI) through education, awareness and support.
Visit obia.ca to learn more.
Ontario Disability Coalition
A grassroots coalition that was established in 2017 to be the voice of parents, caregivers, health service professionals and disabled individuals children and adults. Our primary goal is to advocate for health care services that a person needs to find their way towards achieving as normal a life as possible.
Visit odcoalition.com to learn more.
Ontario Federation for Cerebral Palsy
An organization committed to supporting independence, inclusion, choice and full integration of all persons with cerebral palsy. Provides a wide range of services including financial assistance, resources and programs for people with CP and their families.
Visit www.ofcp.ca to learn more.
Ontario Rett Syndrome Association
The association funds Canadian research projects, three Rett Syndrome Clinics, a resource centre and developed the Canadian Rett Syndrome Registry.
Visit www.rett.ca to learn more.
Possibilities Project Plus
If you have equipment you wish to donate or would like to browse items that are available near you, visit the Possibilities Project Plus. SCIO, with the Lawson Research Institute, launched this platform to help address funding gaps in the province when accessing appropriate equipment and medical devices. For those wishing to buy or sell equipment, we encourage you to visit SCIO Marketplace on Facebook. From wheelchairs to mattresses, to vehicles, you can find a variety of disability related items.
Prosper Canada
Prosper Canada Benefits Wayfinder helps individuals with a disability and their families find out about Federal and Provincial benefit programs and tax credits.
Visit ProsperCanada.org to learn more.
Quipit
Quipit is a free online classified website created to buy, sell, or give away gently used equipment such as hospital beds, wheelchairs, and bathroom safety devices.
Visit GoQuipit.com to learn more.
Spinal Cord Injury Ontario
If you have sustained a spinal cord injury or are a family member of someone who has, you can tap into outstanding support.
Visit SCIontario.org to learn more.
VIEWS For The Visually Impaired
A non-profit provincial support and advocacy organization, working with other stakeholders, advocating for and providing opportunities to assist children, youth and young adults who have low vision or are blind in reaching their full potential.
Visit viewson.ca to learn more.
Vision Loss Rehabilitation Ontario
Vision Loss Rehabilitation Ontario – Vision loss rehabilitation is specialized training that gives people who are blind or partially sighted the practical skills they need to live safely and independently.
Visit on.visionlossrehab.ca/en to learn more.
Voice for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children
Organization that develops and implements programs and services encompassing advocacy, family support, and public education.
Visit www.voicefordeafkids.com to learn more.
The War Amps
Making a difference in the lives of amputees by providing financial assistance for artificial limbs, peer support and information on all aspects of living with amputation.
Visit www.waramps.ca to learn more.
