ConnectABILITY Homepage

Free Community event: Oughtism seminar

We’re passing along an invitation to Oughtism, a three‑day multimodal seminar taking place next week. The organizers have asked us to share this with communities who may be interested in disability arts, neurodiversity, and inclusive creative practice.

The event begins on Thursday, February 5, with a screening of The Stimming Pool  at the CAMH Auditorium in Toronto. 

Programming continues on Friday and Saturday, February 6 and 7, at the University of Toronto Mississauga campus with talks, workshops, and exhibition tours.

The seminar features:

  • Presentations from disability and neurodivergent scholars
  • creative-writingstimprovisation, and co-creation workshops
  • Sessions led by members of the Neurocultures Collective (creators of STIM CINEMA) and other autistic and neurodivergent artists and writers

The full schedule is available on the Oughtism website

All events are free and open to the public, with registration on Eventbrite.

shuttle bus from Toronto to Mississauga will be available on Friday and Saturday to support access.

Corbrook Respite Programs

March Break Camp

March 16 – 20 2026 | 9am – 3pm
Ages 14 to 18 – FREE
Ages 19 & up: $600 for the week
1:1 Support available for an extra fee
See flyer for more details

Summer Camp

July 6-10 | July 13 – 17 | July 20 – 24 | August 10 – 14 | August 17 – 21 | August 24 – 28
Ages 14 – 18: Free
Ages 19 & up: $600/week
1:1 Support available for an extra fee
See flyer for more details

Understanding the Disability Tax Credit

Applying for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) is an essential first step in financial planning for people with disabilities. This credit not only reduces the tax burden for the individual or their caregiver, but also opens the door to other valuable credits and programs, including the Canada Disability Benefit.

Join us on February 11th, 2026 at 7pm EST as our guest panelists provide critical information to help you better understand the DTC and how you can maximize your benefits. 

What’s in it for you:

  • Overview of the benefits of the DTC 
  • Guidance on how to apply for the DTC
  • Review of the DTC and the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP)
  • Review of the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB)
  • Overview of Service Navigation across Canada. 
  • Insights on the impact of a disability vs. diagnosis in eligibility for the DTC
  • Tips for completing the T2201 form

Panelists:

Cynthia Minh

Cynthia works as Director of Tax AID and Access RDSP programs at Disability Alliance BC. She holds an MA in English Literature from the University of British Columbia with special interest in Asian Diasporic Literature and intergenerational trauma.

Dr.Wayne MacLeod

Wayne is a family physician with an interest in helping Canadians with disabilities apply for the Disability Tax Credit. He started offering this service because so many Canadians are without a family doctor, and has since learned that people applying for this important credit face a number of barriers while trying to access it.

Paving the Path to Work (In‑Person & Virtual) 

Beginning the journey to the world of work and volunteerism 

Join us for a FREE, interactive and educational 6 -week program that covers relevant and current topics needed to consider before looking for work. 

Program Highlights:

  • Group and individual activities focused on:
    • Personal Management
    • Communication
    • Teamwork & Collaboration
    • Problem Solving
    • Success on the Job
  • Tech4Good Presentation (Week 3): Online safety, social media, and accessibility in technology.
  • Virtual workplace tours and the possibility of an in-person site visit.
  • Hybrid delivery: Attend in-person (North York office) or virtually — both formats run concurrently.
  • Class size: up to 15 participants in person to ensure personalized support.

Program Schedule:

  • Start Date: February 3, 2026
  • Days: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays
  • Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
  • Breaks: 10-minute break every hour 🧃
  • Location: March of Dimes Canada – Toronto Office
    99 Duncan Mill Road, Toronto, ON M3B 1Z2

Here is the current intake form at: https://tinyurl.com/3ns84bxn 


Important Notes:

Participants currently working with another Employment Ontario service provider are welcome. There is no conflict, and March of Dimes Canada will not register them as clients.

Certification is awarded based on active attendance and participation. This is a valuable opportunity for your clients to strengthen their soft skills, earn a credential, and continue their employment journey with your support.

Please find the program flyer attached. I would greatly appreciate it if you could share it with your clients.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out:
437-836-4891 | adearinglahn@marchofdimes.ca

Trying it on For Size Program

Are you an adult with an intellectual disability who wants to live more independently, by yourself or with others and move into a place of your own one day? Trying It On For Size (TIFS) Toronto is for you! 

Trying It On For Size (TIFS) is broken down into 4 easy steps over 12-months that includes creation of goals, home visits, apartment stays and skill building. 

You will learn skills needed to live more independently. 

The cost includes support staff, basic necessities and house hold items. Don’t worry we will work with you to manage your monthly budget. 

Support staff will be there to assist you every step of the way! 

See flyer for more information

Building Emotional Toolkits for Parents with Disabilities: A 3 Part Workshop Series

Being a parent is no easy task and parenting with a disability adds its own layers of complexity to the mix. Add to your emotional toolbox with this psychoeducational and interactive virtual workshop series facilitated by Family Services Toronto, Vibrant Community Healthcare and the Centre for Independent Living in Toronto’s Parenting with a Disability Network.  

Facilitators will lead a cross-disability group of parent participants through activities and discussions designed to build a deeper understanding of key emotions and their functions and to support building our toolkits for tuning in and responding to our emotions as parents.  

Spaces are limited so we ask that participants please commit to attending all three sessions. All participants will receive follow up resources to help build their toolkits. 

When: 

  • Wednesday February 4, 2026, 12pm-1:30pm  
  • Wednesday February 18, 2026, 12pm-1:30pm  
  • Wednesday March 4, 2026, 12pm-1:30pm 

Where: Over Zoom 

Please register here by January 27, 2026 at 5pm: 

If you need support with filling out the registration form, please contact Robin Simmons by e-mail robin.simmons@cilt.ca or call 416-599-2458 ext. 293. 

Access: ASL-English interpretation will be provided if need is confirmed by January 27th.  Zoom auto-captions will be turned on. There will be a 5-10 minute break scheduled into each session depending on sessions. Handouts will be provided in accessible formats with text descriptions of any images. 

Please let us know about any access supports we can provide when you register.  

This program is for parents with disabilities in Ontario. 

Meta – Internet Safety Course

What You’ll Learn:

  • What is the Internet – Understand what the internet is and why people use it 
  • Staying Safe on Social Media – Understand online boundaries and consent
  • Cyberbullying –  Learn how to respond if you or someone else is bullied online 
  • Recognizing Scams and Suspicious Messages – Learn how to spot suspicious emails, texts, and links. 

Program Details

WHEN: The group runs every Tuesday Feb 24 2026 to Tuesday March 31, 2026
Time: 10:00am-12:00pm
Cost: $120
Location: 401 Champagne Drive, North York M3J 2C6 (Training Room)

Register by email or phone

(416) 736-0199 ex. 322 
efronczak@metacentre.ca 

See flyer for more details

Sexual Health and Wellbeing for All Conference

Sexual Health and Wellbeing for All Conference

Removing the stigmas and barriers around sexuality and support for adults with developmental disabilities.

From Love on the Spectrum, meet our Keynote Speaker, Dani Bowman!

Dani Bowman is an autistic animator, entrepreneur, and educator, founder of DaniMation.US, and a cast member on Netflix’s Love on the Spectrum U.S. She holds a BFA in Animation, an MBA in Global Strategy & Leadership.

Date: February 11, 2026 8:30am-4:30pm
Registration opens at 8:00am
Breakfast and Lunch included
Location: Club Roma – 125 Vansickle Rd. St. Catharines, ON

Free Parking!

See flyer for more details

Winter Resource Workshop Series with Options Children

The Options Children’s team is delighted to announce our winter and spring workshop schedule. Please find attached flyers for Camps RegistrationFinancial SupportsBecause You Need a Break Too, and Service Coordination Consultation.  

We will be offering Autism and AccessOAP again as well as a new group, watch for news about those in the coming weeks.

If you have any questions please feel free to reach out or visit Family Service Toronto’s website for details https://familyservicetoronto.org/our-services/workshops-groups-and-events/