Who We Are

Community Living Ontario (CLO) is a family-based provincial association assisting people who have an intellectual disability and their families to lead the way in advancing inclusion in their own lives and in their communities. Founded in 1953, our work is rooted in a strong network of individuals, families, friends, member organizations and community partners.

Together, we envision a society where people who have an intellectual disability belong, have equal rights, respect and acceptance, a sense of self-worth and opportunities for growth. We believe that the gifts, uniqueness and innate value of each person should be celebrated, supported and acknowledged as essential to the completeness of the whole community.

Community Living Ontario
1 Valleybrook Drive, Suite 201, Toronto, ON M3B 2S7
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For all media inquiries, please contact:
Lisa Tabachnick | Director of Marketing, Communication and Development
416-447-4348 ext. 229 lisa@communitylivingontario.ca

Our Work at a Glance

We’ve provided commentary and created resources for a diverse array of issues related to the developmental services sector, disability rights, and everything else affecting Ontarians who have an intellectual disability. Our recent efforts have included campaigning against medical assistance in dying, fighting for long-term care reform, and making disability supports a federal election issue. As provincial leaders in our sector, we believe that Community Living Ontario’s voice is important to include in these conversations.

For a more in-depth look at some of our past work, as well as current projects and future plans, we invite you to take a look at these resources:

Community Living Ontario is also an active member of Inclusion Canada, and regularly communicates with equivalent provincial and territorial associations. We also have an influence at the global level thanks to our affiliation with Inclusion International.

Meet our Leaders

Board President—Jennie Chanda:

Jennie has a background that includes nursing, teaching, and entrepreneurship.

As a Professor at Fanshawe College, she has taught in the DSW and 55W programmes and coordinated and taught the PSW programme. Through Fanshawe, Jennie has also taught several courses at Six Nations Reserve.

As a family member of a child with disabilities, advocacy and community involvement have been of the utmost importance. Jennie truly believes that advancing inclusion, creating a sense of belonging, and being an integral part of the community through advocacy, needs to be ongoing in order for us all to celebrate the community that Community Living Ontario envisions.

Chief Executive Officer—Chris Beesley:

Chris Beesley began his role as Chief Executive Officer and Board Secretary of Community Living Ontario in June of 2013. His commitment to the Community Living movement began in 1994 with the birth of his son, Mitchell, who was born with an intellectual disability.

Chris served on various committees with Community Living Toronto, his local association, and served on their Board for nine years. Before coming to Community Living Ontario, he was the Executive Director of an adult literacy network organization serving Toronto and York Regions, and he is currently on the board of Community Literacy of Ontario.

He lives in Toronto with his wife, Lori, his son, Mitchell, and daughter, Erin.