Independent Living Canada is the umbrella organization for all Independent Living Centres in the country.  In Ontario there are 12 Independent Living Centres which belong to the Ontario Network of Independent Living Centres.  The network works continually and collaboratively on issues faced by all Ontario residents with disabilities and the greater community to ensure the values and principles of the Independent Living Philosophy is available throughout the entire province.   You will find a listing of each Centre and their location in the province, as well as their contact information.

Ontario’s 14 Home and Community Care Support Services organizations coordinate in-home and community-based care for thousands of patients across the province every day.

These programs provide the opportunity for learning and practicing the skills necessary to live independently. Learning opportunities may include how to: manage and use attendant service effectively, manage personal finances, plan and prepare meals, use community resources, obtain permanent housing. These programs are usually 1 to 1 ½ years in length.  There are three Transitional programs offered in Ontario – two in Toronto and one in Ottawa.  You can find information about these programs in the Greenbook listings.

Subsidized housing programs, also known as rent-geared-to-income (RGI), provide safe, well-maintained rental housing for individuals and families with low and moderate incomes.  Each Municipality responsible for managing their own social housing programs.  To find out more about your regions Rent Geared to Income application process you can contact your local co-ordinated access group.  These centres give information about the non-profit, co-op and public housing in your area.

The Government of Ontario funds community agencies that offer people with developmental disabilities places to live. Learning more about these residential services and supports can help a person with a developmental disability to find a home that works well for their needs.

Housing options include:

- Group homes and group living supports;

- Supported independent living/individual living supports;

- Host family home/associate living supports;

- Individual residential models; and,

- Specialized accommodation.

We know that many people need support finding homes; we will work with you to identify the options that work best for you.  To find out more about the options and services in your community, please contact the Developmental Services Ontario agency in your region.

Long-term care homes are places where adults can live and receive help with most or all daily activities and have access to 24-hour nursing and personal care.  You can expect more nursing and personal care than you would typically receive in a retirement home or supportive housing.

Your local LHIN is the access point to apply for residence in a long-term care home and will help you every step of the way including: determining your eligibility, tell you about homes in your area, tell you about costs, and help you to apply.

Attendant Outreach Services provides pre-booked personal support services for people with physical disabilities living in the community. These services can be provided in the client’s home, place of employment, and/or place where clients are pursuing a degree/diploma/certificate.  There are a variety of outreach supports across the province.  These services can be accessed through your local LHIN office.

Direct Funding is an innovative program enabling adults with physical disabilities to become employers of their own attendants.

Attendants assist with routine activities of daily living, such as dressing, grooming and bathing.

As employers, participants are fully responsible for managing their own employees within a budget that is developed on an individual basis.

If you are a caregiver for someone with a health condition, disability or care needs associated with aging, you can take a break, with the help of Respite Care coordinated through a local LHIN office.   As a caregiver, you need a break from time to time. We can help you by providing relief caregiving while you’re away. This is called respite care.  The person you care for can receive care: at home, during a short stay at a long-term care home, or at an adult day program.

respiteservices.com connects agencies funded by the Ministry of Community and Social Services and the Ministry of Children and Youth Services. Their aim is to collaborate and develop a more dynamic respite network for both children and adults in Toronto.   Respite care provides a short planned break from the physical and emotional demands involved in caring for a family member who has a disability. Respite creates greater opportunities for all family members to live actively and participate in community activities and allows parents/guardians time for themselves.

Passport is a program that helps adults 18 years or older with a developmental disability to participate in their communities. It also helps caregivers of an adult with a developmental disability take a break from their caregiving responsibilities.  Passport provides funding for services and supports so adults with a developmental disability can:

- Take part in community classes or recreational programs

- Develop work, volunteer, and daily life skills

- Hire a support worker

- Create their own life plans (this is called person-directed planning) to reach their goals

- Get temporary respite for their  caregivers

Children with a developmental or physical disability (or their families) can apply for this money if they:

- Live in Ontario

- Need more support than most families can provide

- Are living at home with their family, or

- If they are not living at home with their family and are not being helped by other residential services

The Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities Program helps parents with some of the extra costs of caring for a child who has a severe disability.  Some of the items considered for funding are travel to doctors and hospitals, special shoes and clothes, parental relief, dental care, prescription drugs and eyeglasses.

 JACC helps seriously ill children, 18 years or younger, and their families with funding for hospital and household costs, specialized care, medical treatments and therapies, respite care, doctor recommended special formula, prescription medication, etc.

Provides grants for the following types of needs:

- Clothing & Footwear: Winter clothing, boots, children's clothing, work clothing;

- Food & Basic Household Needs: Food, blankets, mattresses, cookware/dishes, small appliances, towels, diapers, cribs, personal hygiene;

- Medical Devices & Therapies: Prosthetics, eyewear, medical equipment, special therapies, home adjustments for barrier free living, respite services, braille books, counseling services, physiotherapy;

- Personal Development & Recreation: Children's programs, camp, art supplies, books, athletic programs.