Advocacy, Education & Awareness

Community Living Ontario develops policy solutions and advocates for changes that increase the community participation, inclusion and belonging of people labelled as having an intellectual disability. For insight on our policy positions and priorities for our advocacy work, please see the recent posts and resources below.

We work alongside people who have intellectual disabilities and their families as well as government to shape public policy that is practical and progressive. We bring a collective voice to the developmental services sector. Community Living Ontario advocates for the full inclusion of people who have intellectual disabilities in all communities.

If you are looking to learn more, reach out to Shawn Pegg, Director of Social Policy & Strategic Initiatives below.

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Innovations in Housing for People Who Have an Intellectual Disability

The shortage of affordable, accessible housing is one of the key barriers to community inclusion in Ontario. To address this problem, people with disabilities, their families, and the agencies that support them need to take a leading role in the creation of small-scale, individualized, community-based housing. This new report from Community Living Ontario provides brief snapshots of nine examples of housing that supports independence and choice among people who have an intellectual disability. It is our hope that the document will contribute to greater awareness of what is possible, and to growth in people’s ability to live a life of their choosing.
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Increasing the Supply of Small-Scale, Individualized, Communiy-Based Housing for People Who Have Intellectual Disabilities

With federal and provincial governments investing billions of dollars in affordable housing, now is a perfect moment to make a collective push to increase the availability of small scale, community-based housing for people who have intellectual disabilities in Ontario.

Community Living Ontario is releasing a strategy and advocacy guide for self-advocates, family members, developmental service organizations, and other supporters. The guide offers many suggestions about what advocates can do to fill the huge gap in our communities, by increasing the supply of housing that supports health and quality of life.

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Building a Full Life + a Home of One’s Own in the Community 

Building a Full Life + a Home of One’s Own in the Community is a report from Community Living Ontario that offers recommendations on individualized funding, housing, and community inclusion for people who have an intellectual disability. The report provides detailed guidance and insights, and will hopefully serve as a platform for meaningful discussion as the province moves forward with developmental service reform.
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Direct Funding for Developmental Services in Ontario: A Path Forward

Ontario’s new strategy for developmental services includes a commitment to allow people to receive funding directly and manage their own supports. This document offers recommendations on how we can finally make direct funding a reality in our province.
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The Myth of Economies of Scale in Developmental Services

It is commonly believed that large residential facilities for people who have intellectual disabilities are less expensive to operate than more individualized models. However, this policy snapshot shows that, even for people with high support needs, large congregated settings are in fact more costly than small group homes or supported independent living.  
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Five Ideas about Housing for People Who Have Intellectual Disabilities 

People who have intellectual disabilities are increasingly demanding more choice and control in where they live. This document offers five key areas for change as we work to build the supply of housing in Ontario.
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Long-Term Care Is not a Solution for Younger Adults with Disabilities

Nearly 10% of long-term care residents are people with disabilities under age 65. To reduce our dependence on long-term care facilities, we need clear policy and programs that prioritize a concerted push for small-scale housing options bolstered by natural supports, which will reduce pressure on existing systems.
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Separating Housing from Disability Supports: An Idea Whose Time Has Come?

It is common for people who have intellectual disabilities to access housing and other needed supports from a single service provider. This paper argues that separating housing from supports would boost system flexibility and increase people’s ability to access the services they need.
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Recent Posts

Nov / 2022

Key Changes Announced in the 2022 Ontario Fall Economic Update

Oct / 2022

Op-ed: When Is a 5% Increase not a 5% Increase?

Sep / 2022

Letter to the Editor: A Response to Recent Update Friday Story on Melly’s Market + Café