by Gord Kyle When the community living movement began in the late 1940s, it was an association of parents united in the cause of finding strategies, tools, and services that would provide their sons and daughters the opportunity to live with and near family and take part in community life. These families organized into community groups and, in 1953, the … Read More
CLO to Act as Intervenor in Important Court Case Next Week
CONTEXT: ABOUT THE CASE In J.F.R v K.L.L., the Ontario Superior Court of Justice found that Massey Leach-Rathwell, a 24-year-old adult living with down syndrome, was a ‘child of the marriage’ as defined under the federal Divorce Act, as (in the court’s opinion) he remained in his parents’ charge and could not withdraw from it due to his disability. As … Read More
Celebrating Seventy Years of Community Living Part Ten: The Right to Make One’s Own Decisions
by Gord Kyle Note: The following article relies heavily on written materials and presentations by Audrey Cole. It was well known that Audrey Cole always kept an ear to the ground about things that might have an impact on her son Ian. Knowing this, it was not uncommon for people to send her information they thought she would find interesting. … Read More
PRESS RELEASE: Community Living Ontario Celebrates Award Winners Who Are Dedicated to Inclusion
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TORONTO, ON, October 17, 2023 — Community Living Ontario (CLO) has announced the recipients of its 2023 Inspiring Possibilities Awards. After several years hiatus, CLO revived these unique awards in 2023. Celebrating people, teams, and organizations making a positive difference in the lives of people with intellectual disabilities, the Inspiring Possibilities Awards are revered by self-advocates, families, support workers, … Read More
Celebrating Seventy Years of Community Living Part Nine: Anne Stafford Bursary
by Gord Kyle When Harvey McQuarrie died suddenly in December 1964, the movement was shocked. Harvey had been the provincial association’s president for only a few short months. He had taken the position with such high hopes of making a real change. They were exciting times. The association was in the process of helping the Canadian association raise funds for … Read More
Celebrating Seventy Years of Community Living Part Eight: Protecting Dignity
by Gord Kyle The opening phrase in Community Living Ontario’s goal statement is “that all people live in a state of dignity.” The inclusion of the concept of dignity as the foundational phrase in the goal of the association indicates its centrality in all the work that we do. Of course, recognition of the value of ensuring dignity is not … Read More
Celebrating Seventy Years of Community Living Part Seven: Parent Advocacy
When Mel turned 6, my mom worked hard to have him educated. She took him to an elementary school in East York where she was told that Mel could not attend. She wouldn’t take no for an answer and wouldn’t leave, until the principal agreed. However, he only agreed if she stayed in the class everyday. I’m sure he thought … Read More
PRESS RELEASE: Non-Profit Awards Program Honours Trailblazers Highlighting Inclusivity, Creativity and Ability in Ontario
For Immediate Release//Toronto, Ontario, July 20, 2023 Celebrating the people and organizations making a positive impact on the 100,000 people with intellectual disabilities and their families living in Ontario, Community Living Ontario’s (CLO) Inspiring Possibilities Awards are now open for nominations. Winners will have the opportunity to attend the awards ceremony in-person at CLO’s Inspiring Possibilities AGM & Conference, happening in Ottawa September 27-29. The awards will be presented by CBC personality and keynote speaker Ali Hassan. “Honouring trailblazers through our Inspiring Possibilities … Read More
Celebrating 70 Years of Community Living Part Six: A Place at the Table — Self-Advocacy
by Gord Kyle “We are the Association for the M——- R——-,” a board member exclaimed angrily, referring to the name of Community Living Ontario at the time. “We are not the Association of the M——- R——-.” Some others in the room nodded in confused agreement. It was a bewildering time for Community Living. Not everyone understood or agreed with the … Read More
Celebrating 70 Years of Community Living Part Five: Unraveling the Harm of Institutions
by Gord Kyle Note: In the last article in this series, we looked back at the work done by community living to close the government operated institutions. In this article we will look at the work we continue to do to unravel the harm that institutional systems and thinking have done and continue to do to people who have an … Read More
