Jean Vanier, the Canadian humanitarian who founded L’Arche, a network of communities for people with intellectual disabilities, has been awarded the 2015 Templeton Prize in recognition for his advocacy work and his reflections on the importance of helping the vulnerable.  Read more…

 

Volunteer tax clinics are available to assist with tax returns and offered in a number of languages. ..http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/ndvdls/vlntr/clncs/brampton-on-eng.html

 

CAMH Dual Diagnosis Services Peel, Peel Crisis Capacity Network and Brampton Caledon Community Living presents Family Support Group and Sensibility Group for individuals with a dual diagnosis.  See attached flyer for registration information.

 

Dual Diagnosis Family Support Group Flyer

Ministry. Postponement of Employment Related Benefits – Feb 10 15

 

Cineplex Launching Special Screenings for People with Autism

 

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/cineplex-launching-special-screenings-for-people-with-autism-1.2950044​

The Auditor General of Ontario released her report yesterday which included an audit of residential services for people with a disability funded by the Ministry of Community and Social Services.  The audit identifies the significant challenges confronting the Ministry and offers recommendations to address shortfalls.   Read more…Auditor General’s Report 2014. Residential Services

 

 

If you get benefits from the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), you may get a notice that your disability status is being reviewed.

These reviews have always been part of the ODSP system. This is because ODSP is a program that provides support to people with disabilities even if their disability is not permanent.

For many years, however, the Ministry of Community and Social Services did not do medical reviews due to lack of resources. Many people who should have had a medical review have not had one done.

The Ministry received funding this year that will significantly increase the number of medical reviews being done. This means many more people on ODSP will be getting medical review notices in the mail.

Medical Reviews Fact Sheet (click here) talks about what medical reviews are, how they are done, and what you should do if you get a notice.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Message from the Secretary General of the United Nations

Rick Hansen: To Persons with Disabilities Perception is Everything

 

The Income Security Advocacy Centre (www.incomesecurity.org) and the ODSP Action Coalition (www.odspaction.ca) are hosting an information webinar about changes to ODSP employment benefits.  The date and time of the webinar is December 11, 2014 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.  To register go to:https://cc.readytalk.com/r/jp3gqscitgg2&eom .

The provincial government will be eliminating the Employment Training and Start-Up Benefit, the Employment Transition Benefit and Work Related Benefit.

The webinar will discuss concerns about these changes.

In a meeting with developmental service sector representatives on November 3, 2014, senior bureaucrats with the Ministry of Community Social Services apparently stated that the government’s 2014 budget announcement of $810M for the developmental services sector over three years actually represents $372M.   Developmental service providers and families are expressing concern and confusion given that Ministerial media releases keep repeating the $810M figure. Ministry representatives say that the $810M figure is comprised of annual and fiscal dollars but the actual amount of new money being invested in the sector is $372M.