Besides spotlighting students who meet mentors through Student Links, People You Should Know features people in the community who have interesting stories to share. In this edition we will be getting to know polymath Nicole Flynn. A polymath is someone who is knowledgeable about a number of subjects. Tell us about yourself. I am a photographer, conservationist, writer, business owner, … Read More
Student Links: Young Artist Blossoms into Confident Quilter
Shania Brown is an artist based out of Kingston, Ontario, whose passion for art shines through in all her unique creations. Looking to expand her artistic skills, Shania spoke to Student Links about finding a mentor who might teach her more about textiles. Shania was introduced to Annette Willis, a local quilter and the owner of chasing lightning bugs studio … Read More
Student Links: Aspiring Woodworker Polishes His Skills
Simon Lafleur is an explorer at heart. From collecting rocks, enjoying a variety of music, and DJing, to modelling and taking part in sports, he is always open to new experiences. It’s this curiosity that led him to pursue a Student Links mentorship with Bill Wright, a woodworker from Nepean, Ontario. Woodworking has been one of Bill’s passions for over … Read More
Student Links: Driving the Road to Independence
As a young child, Mitchell “Mitch” Heyd would spend countless hours with his beloved toy cars, taking them for a spin along roads drawn onto cardboard. Now, as a young adult, Mitch is still forging his own road ahead and still passionate about automobiles—only now he gets to work with the real thing, excelling beyond his childhood dreams. Mitch had … Read More
Equality Fails Students
by Nicole Flynn Students are being failed by equality! Students who are marginalized because of their identities, such as being Indigenous, or a person of colour, or identifying as LGBTQI2+, or having a disability, have been given “equal” resources by our educational system. But equality actually robs these students of a proper education. Why? Because equality provides the same … Read More
If Inclusion Means Everyone, Why Not Me?
This report identifies barriers that students labelled with intellectual disabilities and their parents and guardians face in Ontario’s public school system and sets out some key insights into their experiences. The authors identified various factors that influence the quality of a student’s education. DOWNLOAD IN ENGLISH DOWNLOAD IN FRENCH
Inclusive Education Webinar Highlights
On January 26th, Community Living Ontario and the Youth Advisory Committee held an Inclusive Education Webinar that focused on the educational experiences of people with different abilities. VIEW HIGHLIGHTS FROM COMMUNITY LIVING ONTARIO’S INCLUSIVE EDUCATION WEBINAR
Direct Funding In-Depth: Learning from New York State’s Self-Directed Services
New York State’s Self-Directed Services is a program that provides funding directly to people and families, so they can manage and control their own disability-related supports. The program provides a helpful case study and offers several lessons for Ontario as we plan to make direct funding a reality in the province. READ THE ARTICLE
Learning from Direct funding in Alberta and British Columbia
Alberta and British Columbia have long-standing and well-developed direct funding programs for people who have an intellectual or developmental disability. As Ontario develops its own stream of direct funding, it is important to learn from the experience of other jurisdictions. READ THE ARTICLE
Community Living Ontario’s Recommendations for Direct Funding for People Who Have Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Many stakeholders in Ontario have advocated for direct funding – where people manage and pay for their own supports rather than choosing options offered by a service agency – for several decades. Community Living Ontario supports the growth of direct funding because it has been shown to increase flexibility, control, and quality of life for people and families who choose … Read More
