Community Living Ontario

Our Youth Coordinator & members of our Youth Advisory Committee have been busy this winter delivering Youth Leadership Workshops.

And the impact? 95 youth were inspired to become inclusion leaders & changemakers in their schools and communities!

Learn more: 👉 bit.ly/R4I-Newsletter-Winter...

In this week’s edition of Update Friday, Press Conferences note that We're Not Okay, Upcoming Youth Art Showcase, and more! Read the full edition: bit.ly/4b8yRnY

Sign up to our newsletter: bit.ly/Subscribe-To-UF

You’re invited! 🎨

Join us for the Youth Art Showcase & Pop-Up Shop, featuring artwork by youth with developmental disabilities and a market of local small businesses.

📅 May 17 | Ajax Convention Centre

👉 RSVP here: forms.zohopublic.ca/communit...

👉 You can help: Sign the petition, share this campaign, and watch our PSA: communitylivingontario.ca/waiting-to-b...

Some are waiting for safe housing. Some are waiting for care. Some are homeless and being exploited into crime and human trafficking. This is the result of decades of underfunding.

While we continue to work with the government on solutions, many people remain at great risk and are NOT okay.

People think that individuals with intellectual and development disabilities are looked after with supportive housing and services. We need you to know - We're NOT Okay!

Right now, over 53,000 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Ontario are #WaitingToBelong.

Across Ontario, more than 25,000 social workers bring compassion, expertise, and partnership to every corner of care. This March, let's celebrate the impact Ontario's social workers have in our communities!

Learn more: www.oasw.org/TheSocial/Web/S...

#SocialWorkWeek #NationalSocialWorkMonth

In this week’s edition of Update Friday, Student Links success stories, Inclusive Education month wraps up, and more! Read the full edition: bit.ly/4aUvtND

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Real Talk Podcast | Episode 5: Why Supports in Schools Matter The Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) is a powerful group of youth between the ages of 14 and 29 that lead the Re:Action4inclusion movement. This dedicated team...

Real Talk Ep 5 is here!

Tune in to the conversation on why supports in schools matter. youtu.be/2W6iaFf3cV4?si=Ojc8...

When children learn together, they grow up understanding and respecting one another. This creates neighbourhoods, workplaces, and communities where everyone feels welcome and valued.

Learn more on community connections and partnerships: www.sourceforinclusiveeducat...

#InclusiveEducationMonth

Our Council and Youth Advisory Committee members are wearing pink to stand up for kindness and inclusion.

Because everyone deserves to belong.💗

#PinkShirtDay #SayNoToBullying #InclusionMatters

We’re proud to feature Maayan Ziv as a keynote speaker at the Inclusion Symposium 2026. Maayan is a global disability rights advocate advancing accessibility and innovation worldwide.

Register now to join us: inspiringpossibilites.zohoba...

More adults with developmental disabilities ending up in homeless shelters Officials with Inner City Health say they increasingly see adults with developmental disabilities in Ottawa’s shelter system.

"Heads of Ottawa agencies recently raised alarm bells about the lack of capacity and long waiting lists for spots in the group homes and supportive housing programs for adults who need ongoing support..."

ottawacitizen.com/news/local-n...

We’re excited to welcome Andrew Gurza as a keynote speaker at the Inclusion Symposium 2026. Andrew brings powerful conversations on disability, sexuality, and identity that challenge stigma and spark meaningful change.

Register now to save your spot: inspiringpossibilites.zohoba...

Join us in welcoming Lena Recollet as a speaker at the Inclusion Symposium 2026. Lena shares storytelling and spoken word that centre Indigenous voices, culture, and lived experience.

Register now to be part of the conversation: inspiringpossibilites.zohoba...

We’re grateful to MPP Bobbi Ann Brady for using her column to shine a light on the #WaitingToBelong campaign. By highlighting long waitlists, aging caregivers, and the need for sustainable funding, she is helping bring much-needed attention to this issue.

Read more bobbiannbrady.com/advocating-f...

In this week’s edition of Update Friday, Anne Stafford Bursary applications open, Inclusive Education month continues, and more! Read the full edition: zurl.co/DLksa

Sign up to our newsletter: zurl.co/fIhgX

When it Comes to Disability, Specialization Often Leads to Stigmatization - Community Living Ontario A recent article from ICES and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) reported that people with developmental disabilities make up 22% of the 1,466 people who have spent more than a year in a non-forensic psychiatric inpatient bed in Ontario, despite accounting for less than 3% of the population. The article’s authors note that this is a problem caused in part by a shortage of appropriate community-based settings into which

On #WorldDayofSocialJustice, we’re taking a moment to reflect on how stigma still affects people with developmental disabilities.

Our recent article explores how systems meant to support people can sometimes lead to separation and exclusion.

Read more: communitylivingontario.ca/wh...

@clontario.bsky.social is excited to announce that applications are now open for the Anne Stafford Light Up the Future Bursary!

🎓 Bursary Amount: Up to $1,000 to help recipients achieve their goals.

📅 Deadline: Monday, April 27th at 5:00 PM EDT.

🔗 Apply Now: bit.ly/CLO-Bursary-2026

#InclusiveEducationMonth

Everyone belongs in the classroom, on the playground, and in group work. Let's create a truly inclusive school environment by being kind, empathetic, and patient.

Check out Epi 3 of Real Talk Podcast on 'How to Make Our Schools More Inclusive': youtu.be/sq1I5gJrmmI?si=tzVC...

📣 Community Living Ontario’s Inspiring Possibilities AGM & Conference 2026 is fast approaching, and we’re now accepting proposals for workshops, presentations, and panels.

🗓 Deadline: April 13, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. EDT

Submit your proposal and review the guidelines: bit.ly/2026-Session-Proposals

In this week’s edition of Update Friday, Conference Session Proposals open now, Waiting To Belong advocacy work, and more! Read the full edition: bit.ly/4axCqE2

Sign up to our newsletter: bit.ly/Subscribe-To-UF

#InclusiveEducationMonth

In recognition of #InclusiveEducationMonth, we’re sharing our education guidebook.

A resource to help families and supporters understand student rights, school policies, and advocacy for students with disabilities and neurodiverse learners in Ontario. bit.ly/Special-Education-Guide

Families play an important role in inclusive education. Parents should feel free to ask questions, share your child’s needs, and work with the school to make sure the right supports are in place.

Explore resources here: www.sourceforinclusiveeducat...

#InclusiveEducationMonth

Boards of Directors in the Developmental Services sector are unpaid and volunteer-led, guided by a commitment to inclusion, responsibility, and community connection.

#DSLeadership #CommunityService #VolunteerLeadership

In this week’s edition of Update Friday, Inclusive Education Month, Student Links connections, and more! Read the full edition: bit.ly/3Zm0STU

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#InclusiveEducationMonth

@clontario.bsky.social Council members Niko and Dzidra share a message for #InclusiveEducationMonth

Explore resources: communitylivingontario.ca/inclusive-education-resources

www.inclusioncanada.ca/our-work/inc... @inclusioncanada.bsky.social