Where to begin?
Use our timeline to learn more about each step of the transition to adulthood. Or if you would prefer to read the whole article you can find it here Read more »
What is Developmental Services Ontario (DSO)?
Developmental Services Ontario manages the application process for all provincially-funded supports for adults with a developmental disability in Ontario. Developmental Services Ontario helps adults with developmental disabilities connect to services and supports in their communities. There are nine agencies across Ontario to serve you. DSO organizations are funded by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services.
Excerpt from “Neurodevelopmental Disabilities” (Let’s Talk: An Open Dialogue on Vulnerability in Toronto Series)
Presenter: Layla Hall, Surrey Place Centre.
Autism Speaks Canada Connect
A national, multi-faceted virtual system revolutionizing the way people in the autism community are informed and engaged. https://connect.autismspeaks.ca/home
Ontario Passport Funding
Passport is a funding 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 is funded by the Ontario Government and administered by local Passport Agencies.
Where to spend your Passport Funding
Community Participation and Activities
Activities for youth and adults that can be purchased using “Passport” funding or personal funds. Cost varies based on an individual’s support needs and program activities.
Fee for Service Directory
My Community Hub
Community Participation Supports
Caregiver Respite
Respite care provides a short planned break from the physical and emotional demands involved in caring for a family member who has a disability.
Person Directed Planning
Passport funding can be used to develop a person-directed plan that builds on the individual’s strengths and interests and identifies supports to help them achieve their goals.
How to spend and track your Passport funding
Passport funding can be used to access community participation and activities of daily living. It can be used for caregivers to take a break from their caregiving responsibilities. Moreover it can be used to create personal life plans. This is called person-directed planning to reach ones goals. You can also use Passport funding for administration and tools to keep track of what your funding is spent on. Read more
Resources to help with legal and financial issues
From time to time, self-advocates and family supports run into obstacles, gray areas, and bigger problems in the course of navigating the world, especially when dealing with organizations or systems that are not trained in autism spectrum disorder(ASD). Families report struggling with issues such as filing taxes; setting up bank accounts; obtaining insurance; struggling to keep employment; or estate planning. Read more
Creative solutions and successful Experiences
Stories of how people have raised money and collaborated in developing creative support solutions.
Employment: Disability and disclosure
A job coach’s tips on disclosure in the workplace
What is disclosure?
Releasing personal information about yourself for a specific purpose. Today, more job seekers with disabilities are entering the workforce. For persons with disabilities, finding and keeping work is usually no different than for those without disabilities. However, there may be additional things to consider, such as disclosure—if, when and how to tell people about your disability. Read more
Richard talks about disclosure from a job coaches perspective
David discuss disability and disclosure in the workplace
Ask a question or discuss your strategies with other families
Connected Families: A place to share your ideas with others on the site. Join the conversation
Here’s what we heard from you Ontario!
This project undertook research to inform what content should be created for this page. It is a great resource that further identifies the lack of supports needed for adults on the Autism Spectrum as they transition from youth to adult. Read the report
Acknowledgements
This page was funded by MCCSS under the ‘Passport Initiative’, this three year project was a collaboration between Autism Ontario, Community Living Toronto, ConnectABILITY, Geneva Centre for Autism and Kerry’s Place Autism Services.