WHEN: April 15 from 7pm – 9pm
WHERE: Lipa Green Centre, Tamari Hall 4600 Bathurst ST.

Featuring: Nancy Purcell & Jennifer Daly
A mother–daughter financial planning team who are also raising children with disabilities

With guest expert:  Geoffrey Zaldin  President, Special Needs Financial Inc.

Followed by 4  professionally facilitated breakout groups.

$10 admission  @ door; handouts, refreshments, limited number of free books; Safe and Secure,

networking with like-minded caregivers

RSVP  mandatory  susie.jdisabilitynetwork@gmail.com

To reserve a spot or for further information. susie.jdisabilitynetwork@gmail.com 

Are you new to Wheel-Trans or thinking about applying? Join us for a 2-part workshop series about the application process and your rights as a Wheel-Trans user. The first workshop is called “Wheel-Trans 101”, and the second workshop is called “Wheel-Trans: Know Your Rights”.

When: Wednesday April 22nd 1:00-3:00PM
Wednesday April 29th 1:00-3:00PM.

Access Supports: ASL-English interpretation and CART Captioning will be provided.

If you require any access accommodations, please let us know in the Access Accommodation section of the registration by April 16th 2026.

Register in advance for these events at (you can come to both or just one):

Workshop Descriptions:

Wheel-Trans and Family of Service (FOS) 101 on Wednesday April 22nd:

This workshop is designed for those who are new to using Wheel-Trans and have questions about their eligibility and the application process, what the Family of Services (FOS) model is, how to challenge their eligibility category, and other Wheel-Trans issues. The workshop goes in-depth on how to apply for Wheel-Trans and how to appeal conditional eligibility, with the goal of empowering participants and making overly complex, bureaucratic procedures feel more approachable.

Wheel-Trans: Know Your Rights on Wednesday April 29th

This workshop is part of TTCriders’ Know Your Transit Rights project, which aims to empower riders and help them understand their legal rights while using the TTC. This workshop is designed for Wheel-Trans users who are interested in understanding the rights they have before, during, and after Wheel-Trans trips and how to exercise these rights. The workshop covers topics such as the responsibilities of Wheel-Trans operators, how to make sure your trip is as accessible for you as possible, the Code of Conduct policy, traveling with support persons and animals, and appealing your eligibility category or suspension of service.

If you need assistance with registering:

Please e-mail robin.simmons@cilt.ca or call 416-599-2458 ext. 293. Please note, you will not be able to join the session without registering first. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meetings. 

See flyer for more details

Talking about money is one of the hardest parts of planning for the future. Whether you’re a facilitator or a family member supporting someone with a disability, knowing how to navigate these conversations can be invaluable. 

The Planning and Facilitation Collaborative (PFC), a P4P initiative, is offering a FREE virtual forum designed to support and empower facilitators and families to approach financial discussions with greater ease and confidence. 

Join the PFC on April 1st at 7:00 p.m. EDT for the Breaking Down Barriers forum, as they bring together a panel of experts and family voices to share real experiences and insights, and explore how having better money conversations can lead to stronger planning and greater peace of mind.

Key topics will include:

• Exploring our relationship with money and why having conversations about finances is so challenging.
• Understanding the importance of including siblings in conversations about money and planning.
• Tangible tools for improving financial dialogue to help your family move forward.
• Balancing family dynamics, and the diverse and often competing needs of multiple children, including a child with a disability.

Panelists:

• Natasha Knox, Founder, Financial Planner, Alaphia Financial Wellness
• Jill Teeple, Executive Director, Partners for Planning
• Jesse Auguste, family member, sibling with lived experience
• Nicole Callander, family member with lived experience

Register today using the link below – we look forward to having you there!

This event is open to everyone (including those who are not members of the PFC)! If you know someone who would benefit from this event, please share the registration link with them!

The PFC is a national online community that Partners for Planning launched in 2023 for people who care about building capacity to offer quality, value-based future planning and facilitation supports to people with developmental disabilities and their families. With access to a growing library of courses and resources, members can network, share knowledge and experiences, and learn from one another through conversations, educational opportunities, and special events.

The Break Down Barriers virtual forum also marks the launch of a dedicated financial resources space within the PFC. If you’re in the field of planning and facilitation and looking for an opportunity to connect and collaborate with other professionals and like-minded individuals, consider becoming a member of the PFC. Members gain ongoing access to events like this, networking opportunities, and tools to support your work! To learn more, visit https://www.planningforagoodlife.ca/

The 2026 Developmental Services (DS) Information Fair is scheduled for April 22, 2026, from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm at Parkview Manor in North York. Co-presented by Lumenus and Community Living Toronto, the event focuses on supports for transitional youth (16+) and adults (18+) with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families.

Event Details

• Date & Time: Wednesday, April 22, 2026 | 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
• Location: Parkview Manor, 55 Barber Greene Rd., North York, ON
• Accessibility: The venue offers free parking and no entry fee for attendees.

Fair Highlights

The fair provides a platform to connect directly with various Toronto-based developmental services agencies. Key features include:

• Panel Discussions: Expert-led sessions regarding available supports.
• DSO and Passport Information: Dedicated guidance on Developmental Services Ontario (DSO) access and Passport funding for community participation.
• Agency Networking: Opportunities to explore fee-for-service programs.

Toronto’s Skyline to Shine Blue and Yellow: Ontario Marks World Down Syndrome Day 2026 with a Call to Action: “Together Against Loneliness” 

TORONTO, ON — March 21, 2026 — Tonight, the CN Tower—the crown jewel of the Toronto skyline—will be transformed into a towering “positive beacon” of blue and yellow. This powerful display marks World Down Syndrome Day, signaling Ontario’s unwavering commitment to inclusion, diversity, and the protection of human rights for all citizens. 

As one of the world’s most recognizable landmarks, the illumination of the CN Tower serves as a sky-high testament to the collective values of our province. By lighting the sky in the global colors of Down Syndrome Awareness, Ontario sends a clear message: even in the darkest times, our community remains a place of light, hope, and belonging. 

The Significance of 3/21 

The date March 21 (3/21) signifies the unique triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome, the genetic cause of Down syndrome. While the Ontario Down Syndrome Day Act was formally passed on June 9, 2016, the 2026 global theme, “Together Against Loneliness,” brings a renewed urgency to the day. It is a call to action to ensure every individual is meaningfully included and connected within our schools, workplaces, and neighborhoods. 

Leading the Way: The Down Syndrome Foundation 

At the forefront of this movement is the Down Syndrome Foundation, continuing to bridge the gap between awareness and action by providing life-changing resources and infrastructure to the community. 

Key initiatives driving this mission include: 

• HELP321.ca: A dedicated helpline providing immediate access to community-based resources, ensuring that no family or individual has to navigate their journey alone. 
• Skillsdevelopment.ca: A groundbreaking skilled trade training program in partnership with the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (SDF). This initiative empowers individuals with Down syndrome to gain tangible, high-demand skills for the modern workforce. 
• The DOWNSYNDROME App: A first-of-its-kind mobile platform providing direct access to HELP321 community services, real-time notifications of key events, and a suite of relevant resource tools. 

Subscribe to the App today: 

• Apple App Store: Down Syndrome CA 
• Google Play: Down Syndrome Foundation Canada 

Connect with the Movement 

Join the conversation and stay updated through our official Down Syndrome Canada channels: 

• Website: DownSyndrome.ca (also visit DownSyndromeFoundation.ca) 
• Website: Help321.ca 
• Website: SkillsDevelopment.ca 
• Instagram: @DownSyndromeCanada 
• Facebook: Down Syndrome Canada 
• LinkedIn: Down Syndrome Foundation Canada 

About the Down Syndrome Foundation 

The Down Syndrome Foundation is a national non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for individuals with Down syndrome. Through advocacy, resource development, and innovative programming, the Foundation works to ensure that every person has the opportunity to reach their full potential. 

For Media Inquiries: Media Relations Office Down Syndrome Foundation Canada 

Email: info@downsyndromefoundation.ca