ConnectABILITY Homepage

Community Engagement Speaker Series: TTC [online]

WHEN: March 12, 2025
TIME: 11:30am – 12:30pm

Community Living Toronto is happy to welcome the TTC to speak on various transit topics including: Wheel-Trans, Presto, and fares, as well as the TTC Travel Training program.

The TTC provides safe and reliable transportation options for persons with temporary and/or permanent disabilities.

This session will include a live Q&A

To register for this free webinar, please e-mail: tom.gaspar@cltoronto.ca

Contact Us: contactus@cltoronto.ca | 647-426-3220

See flyer for more details

A National Caregiving Strategy for Canada [webinar]

A National Caregiving Strategy for Canada

A National Caregiving Strategy for Canada, co-designed with thousands of caregivers, care providers, researchers and leaders across the aging, disability and healthcare communities across Canada, lays out bold recommendations for the federal government to transform caregiving systems, reduce financial and workplace burdens and establish caregiving as a cornerstone of Canada’s health and social policies.

Our five pillars:

  1. Improving supports, programs and services for caregivers with recommendations for a refundable tax credit and caregiver allowance to ease financial strain.
  2. Supporting caregivers in work and education with improved leave policies and benefits so that caregivers can take time off work and school when needed.
  3. Strengthening support for care recipients through simplified disability benefits and medical tax credits for essentials like groceries and rent.
  4. Building a sustainable paid care workforce with stronger protections and living wages for essential care workers.
  5. Calling on the federal government to lead by example with a national commitment to solving this crisis now and for the future.

Join us tomorrow to take a deep dive into the pillars of the Strategy and hear from caregivers and care providers who shaped its development.
 
When: February 19, 2025
Time: 1 to 2:30 p.m. ET

Family Support Network for Employment Workshop

Saturday, March 1st and Sunday, March 2nd, 2025

Focused on families in the Peel Region with a child with a developmental disability attending or heading to high school who would like to understand how to create an educational path to employment opportunities during the school years and after graduation.

Have the opportunity to Be Inspired, Learn, and Lead on Employment from

  • FSNE Ambassadors
  • Families like your own
  • Representatives from the high school and college levels of education
  • Business professionals
  • Members of support groups
  • and more!

“What is your dream for your child?”

For more information, reach out to us at: info@fsne.ca

See flyer for more details

P4P Webcast: Strengthening Your Family Network [online]

WHEN: February 26 at 7pm

For over 75 years, families in Ontario have come together to build better lives for their family members with a disability. Through the development of family networks, their efforts have shown the incredible value of family-to-family connections where shared experiences and mutual support foster strength and understanding.

Join us on February 26 at 7pm EST, for the Strengthening Your Family Network webcast, where leaders from existing Family Networks share their stories, strategies, and successes, demonstrating how collaboration among families continues to make a profound difference. 

What’s in it for you:

  • Valuable insights from Family Network leaders about how they strengthen, grow, and sustain their networks, deliver valuable resources and opportunities for family members, and bring innovation to the challenges they face.
  • Gain a better understanding of the Ontario Caregivers Organization’s Capacity-Building Grants for Family Support Networks and how some family networks are using the grants. 

A live Q&A will follow this presentation. Register using the link below – we look forward to having you there!

Sexual Health and Wellbeing for All Conference

WHEN: March 24, 2025 | 8:00am – 4:30pm
WHERE: Hamilton Conference Centre, 1 Summers Lane, Hamilton

Bethesda’s Adult Clinical Services is pleased to announce our upcoming conference, “Sexual Health and Wellbeing for All.” This engaging event is designed specifically for adults with lived experience of developmental disabilities, their families, caregivers, and all professionals working within Developmental Services. Join us for a valuable opportunity to explore important topics related to sexual health and wellbeing, and to foster a community of understanding and support. Please see the following link for more information and to register: https://bethesdaservices.com/sexual-health-and-wellbeing-for-all

CEUs will be available for those attending the morning keynote session with Nicholas A. Maio-Aether, MAMFT, MSPSY, LBA, CSC, IBA, BCBA for BCBA/CPBAO’s.

Lets Make Art

Learn about utilizing your creativity as a form of self-care

This workshop is for parents and siblings of people living with developmental disabilities and for service providers in the field.

Join us for a 3-day interactive, multi-disciplinary art workshop experience and learn how to relieve stress through the arts.

Dates: March 5, March 6, March 7
Time: 5pm to 7pm
Location: Room 224 – 40 Orchard View Boulevard Toronto
Cost: FREE

Register for your spot by emailing to rayderamos@gmail.com.

Spots are limited so register now to secure you spot.

Art materials will be provided on site. If you have any questions please contact Raymond at rayderamos@gmail.com

Facilitated by Raymond De Ramos, Expressive Arts Therapist In Training

See flyer for more details

Respecting Rights Coffee and Advocacy February Meeting

Respecting Rights is hosting another virtual Coffee and Advocacy Meeting for anyone who lives in Toronto and identifies as having an intellectual or developmental disability.

Date: Friday February 21st 2025
Time: 2:00pm
Where: On Zoom

We will be talking about the first standard of the AODA: Information and Communication Standard. We will also have an ARCH lawyer and law student join us at this meeting!

Please email Jessica at jessica.field@arch.clcj.ca to register

See flyer for more details

Life After Highschool [virtual workshop]

WHEN: Wednesday, February 12, 2025 | 7:00-8:15PM 

Start thinking about your next steps for supported employment and continued learning 

Free virtual workshop facilitated by Holland Bloorview & ConnectABILITY.ca 

This workshop is geared for: 

  • Families and youth/young adults between the ages of 16-26 
  • Youth who are on diverse high school pathways including: students taking non-credit courses, on a certificate stream or in a special education program 

Join us to discuss and explore: 

  • Accessing employment supports and resources 
  • Other learning options and programs 
  • Related online community resources 
  • Hearing from staff, families and partners 

WHEN: Wednesday, February 12, 2025 | 7:00-8:15PM 

See flyer for more information

Valen-Friends [online]

For people who are 18+ interested in making friends, learning about relationships, and having fun.

WHEN: Friday, FEBRUARY 14th 
TIME: 3:00 – 5:00 PM 
WHERE: Online 

 FUN FOR EVERYONE 

  • Road to Relationship presentation 
  • Games and Quizes 
  • Music and Videos 
  • And lots of great conversations! 

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!! 

a ZOOM link will be sent before the meeting. 

CONTACT : lingerwalters@gmail.com

See flyer for more details