ConnectABILITY Homepage

Skills Development Project: Building Our Future

Down Syndrome Foundation Canada is launching a new pilot training program in partnership with the Ontario Ministry of Labour’s Skills Development Fund. This program will train people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to become Supported Co-Workers, giving them hands-on experience and opening doors to rewarding careers in the skilled trades.

Training will use visual, hands-on methods suited to the learning styles of people with IDD. Units include:

  • Safety on the Construction Site
  • Using Basic Tools
  • Workplace Behaviour & Teamwork
  • Job Site Communication

Submit applications by October 4th, 2025

See flyer for more details

Disability Rights, and Wrongs – the David Lepodcast

Announcing a brand new podcast: “Disability Rights, and Wrongs – the David Lepodcast”

We are ecstatic to announce a brand-new podcast with AODA Alliance Chair David Lepofsky, brought to you by AMI (Accessible Media Inc.). It is called “Disability Rights, and Wrongs! The David Lepodcast.”

This podcast will give you practical tips on how to advocate for equality, accessibility and full participation for people with all kinds of disabilities. Our guests will offer insights and innovative ideas from a wide range of perspectives. The host, AODA Alliance Chair David Lepofsky, will draw on his decades of disability advocacy and his thoughts garnered as the visiting professor of disability rights at three Ontario law schools: Queen’s, the University of Western Ontario, and the University of Ottawa. Along with him on the podcast is AMI producer and masterful editor Jacob Shymanski. Together, they aim to create an atmosphere that is interesting, informative and easy to listen to.

It is the podcast’s core message that everyone can be a barrier-buster. Lepofsky, Shymanski and the guests will tell stories that include ready-to-use action tips. These will be helpful for anyone interested in any kind of social justice advocacy, not just those important issues that confront people with disabilities.

The first episode is now available for download, and it is expected that a new episode will drop every three weeks or so. AMI also regularly posts transcripts of all its podcasts on the AMI website. You can check it out on Apple Music, Spotify or any other sources.

Meta Respite Programs

We Shine Respite Social Club

WHERE: James De Zen Vaughan Centre of Abilities 7465 Kipling Avenue (inside the Vento Centre)
WHEN: Tuesday & Thursday from 3pm to 8pm
Cost: $75 per session

See flyer for more details

Toronto Saturday

WHERE: 401 Champagne Drive
WHEN: 10am – 3pm
COST: $60/day

Vaughan Saturday

WHERE: 7465 Kipling Avenue
WHEN: 10am – 3pm
COST: $60/day

Once-per-month Sunday Program

WHERE: 7465 Kipling Avenue
WHEN: 11am – 4pm
COST: $75/day

See Respite flyer for more details

Access Travel Club Is inviting you to join them on a Muskoka Boat Cruise

WHEN: Sunday, October 19th, 2025
Member Price: $259.00 Non-Member Price: $299.00 
Registration Deadline: October 1st, 2025

Enjoy a relaxing and fun-filled day as we take a boat cruise on the lake

The package includes round-trip transportation from Toronto, a boat cruise ticket, lunch and snacks, and a fall colours excursion.

We look forward to seeing you! Space is limited so register early. Wheelchair and Companion seating available on request.

For more details or to reserve your spot, contact us at:

The ATC Team
Call
: 905-506-4886
Webwww.accesstravelclub.ca

Autism Ontario Toronto Region — September 2025

Programs & Events

Art in the Park

September 20, from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Join Autism Ontario and the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority at Tommy Thompson Park for this Art in the Park program. Participants will be guided in customizing their own canvas tote bag with painted illustrations of flowers and plants native to Southern Ontario.

Program location: Tommy Thompson Park, 1 Leslie St, Toronto
Cost: $5 per person

Fun with Watercolor Art (age 4+)

September 27, from 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Autism Ontario partners with autistic artist, Eddie Li, to offer a fun introduction to watercolor art!

Program location: Agincourt Recreation Center, 31 Glen Watford Dr, Toronto, ON M1S 2B7
Cost: $10 per participant. Caregivers are welcome to purchase a ticket and paint or come and support for free.

Wizard-themed Arts & Crafts

September 28, from 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Autism Ontario partners with Beaches Sandbox to bring families together for a fun morning of wizard-themed crafts.

Program location: Beaches Sandbox: 2181 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4E 1E5
Cost: $3 per child. Caregivers attend for free.

Caregiver Drama Program

September 28, from 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Autism Ontario partners with Dramatherapist Nicolas Bezier to bring caregivers a drama program that incorporates aspects of art therapy. We’ll explore the mediums of theatre and body expression through small exploratory games.

Program location: Beaches Sandbox Community Center, Lee Room, 2181 Queen St E, Toronto, ON, M4E 1E5
Cost: $10 per participant

Meeting the Milestones (age 18mo – 4 yrs)

September 30, from 9:45 am – 10:45 am
Autism Ontario partners with the West Scarborough Neighborhood Community Center’s Early ON at 2555 Eglinton Ave East for their Meeting the Milestones program.

Program location: 2555 Eglinton Avenue East Unit 212 Toronto, ON M1K 5J1
Cost: Free

Basketball FUNdamentals (age 6-18 yrs)

October 4 – November 8, from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Autism Ontario partners with D3P to offer children an six-week adapted basketball FUNdamentals program.

Program location: Kings Court, 1589 The Queensway #4, Etobicoke, ON M8Z 1V1
Cost: $25 per child. Caregivers are free.

3D Printing: Bobble Heads (age 8-13 yrs)

October 4, from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Autism Ontario partners with Little Robot Friends for this exciting 3D Printing: Bobble Heads program!

Program location: Little Robot Friends, 1832 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON M4C 1H8
Cost: $10

Creepy Crawlers

October 5, from 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Join Autism Ontario and the Canada Lands Company at Downsview Park for a Creepy Crawlers program.

Program location: Downsview Park Hub, 70 Canuck Ave, Toronto, Ontario, M3K 2C5
Cost: $5 per family

Fall Colors Walk

October 19, from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Join Autism Ontario and the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority for a Fall Colors Walk.

Program location: Downsview Park, 70 Canuck Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M3K 2C5
Cost: $5 per person

LEGO robotics program (age 8 – 13 yrs)

October 23 – November 27, from 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Autism Ontario partners with roboEDU to offer autistic youth a 6-week LEGO robotics program!

Program location: RoboEDU, Unit 220, 94 Laird Dr, East York, ON M4G 3V2
Cost: $25 per child

Park in the Dark

October 25, from 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Join Autism Ontario and the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority for a Park in the Dark adventure.

Program location: Curran Hall Community Centre, 277 Orton Park Rd, Scarborough, ON M1G 3T4
Cost: $5 per person

Autistic Adults Board Games Social

October 27, from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Autism Ontario partners with Snakes & Lattes to bring autistic adults together for a social meet up where we’ll play board games.

Program location: Snakes & Lattes, 489 College St, Toronto, ON, M6G 1A5
Cost: $5 per participant

Create Your Own Sensory Monster!

November 1, from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Autism Ontario partners with artist and autism mom, Ana, to offer children the opportunity to make their own sensory monster.

Program location: 1033 College Street West (red door)
Cost: $5 per child. Caregivers are free.

Caregiver Programs

Ausome Moms

October 16, from 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Join us each month to meet with other moms, female caregivers, and transgender/non-binary folks. This casual setting allows you to socialize, share your experiences, or sit back and listen. Autism Ontario staff will facilitate group activities.

Registration opens October 1 at noon

Rad Dads

September 29, from 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Join us each month to meet with other dads, male caregivers, and transgender/non-binary folks. This casual setting allows you to socialize, share your experiences, or simply sit back and listen. Autism Ontario staff will facilitate group activities.

PA Days at Bryan’s Place – 2025

We are excited to invite kids and youth of all ages and abilities to our PA Day at Bryan’s Place! It will be a fun-filled day packed with games, crafts, music, and plenty of laughter. Everyone belongs here, and we have something exciting planned for each participant!

📅 Date: Friday, September 26, 2025
⏰ Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
📍 Location: 2238 Dundas St West, Unit 192, Toronto, ON
💲 Cost: $65 (e-transfer payment)

LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE

This is a wonderful opportunity for kids with disabilities of all ages to enjoy a safe, inclusive, and engaging environment while making great memories with peers.

👉 Find attached the calendar 2025 for other days.

Reserve your spot today by contacting us at:
📞 +1 (437) 607-2238
📧 programs@bryansplace.ca
🌐 www.bryansplace.ca

We can’t wait to see you !