Searching for Disability Associations

Community services for people with ALS and their families and friends

• holds local fundraising events for ALS
• annual Barrie Walk for ALS is held second Saturday in June , see website for details and registration information

Provides an opportunity for partially sighted people or those with sight loss or blindness to meet with others in the community who are living with similar experience.

Offers support, education, public awareness and an opportunity to meet others who have Lupus

• runs an online support group of Lupus Ontario
• holds Walk for Lupus as an annual fundraising, call for details

Support organization for parents whose child or teen has been diagnosed with cancer

• provide parents with knowledge of library and other community resources, a quarterly newsletter, social events for the whole family and networking with other organizations
• provide telephone and email support, hospital and home visits and monthly parent support group meetings
• during support group meetings for parents an expressive art program is available for children
• offers school support program/school advisory services
• monthly teen social group
• offers weekly art therapy program
• bereavement support
• Emergency parent relief fund (gift cards) available to families who are struggling financially
• provides family care packages at diagnosis with gift cards and parking passes for Hospital for Sick Children
• provides Christmas baskets for families whose child is on active treatment

Christmas Care Program
Care packages for families affected by cancer and dealing with cancer treatments during the holidays

• donations of baked goods, homemade or store bought, toys, grocery store gift cards, movie passes etc are accepted
• see Facebook page for more details and drop-off locations, Christmas Care Program

Sick kids parking passes program: provides a limited number of passes for parking at Sick Kids to families whose children are currently on treatment

COVID-19 Update
Young Adult Day Program not currently being held, check website for updates

Regular Service
Provides support and information to families with a Down syndrome member and assists families to access needed services families in need.

• hold events and parties such as summer picnic, bowling party, Wee Ups and Downs play dates
• services include a library and bursaries
• hold fundraising events
• subsidized programs for various ages including speech, music, dance, yoga and sign language
• offer a Young Adults Day Program for those 21 and over who have Down syndrome

Dedicated to helping children, youth and young adults with physical disabilities achieve their full individual potential and future independence through:

• financial assistance
• summer camps
• advocacy
• public and consumer education

Local volunteer organize and deliver a variety of fundraising programs.

Appropriate referrals to this agency include individuals with scoliosis, neuromuscular/skeletal disorders (spina bifida, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy).

COVID-19 Update

• April 2022 - Pool Exercises have resumed
• Chair exercises and speech therapy program tentatively starting Sep 2022, call for more information

Regular Service
Support group providing encouragement and programs to those who have suffered a stroke

• weekly meetings offer chair exercises, pool program and social programs
• Speech Therapy program (stroke communication group) available
• occasional outings and social events organized

Supportive Counselling offered on a 1:1 basis to help people address concerns related to living with a diagnosis of dementia or supporting someone with a diagnosis.

Provides communication and hearing health support services to enable people with a hearing loss carry out daily living activities independently, safely, and with reduced communication difficulties

Services include:
Home Visits

• provide information or counselling on understanding hearing loss and managing difficult listening situations including the use, care and maintenance of hearing aids and other listening systems
• help selecting and using specialized communication equipment, e.g. telephones, alarm clocks, television accessories
• provide referrals to other community services

Accessibility Consulting Services

• services to help businesses identify current communication barriers, including:
  • facility and technology assessments
  • education and training workshop to meet accessibility needs and comply with all aspects of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA)

Education and Training

• for consumers, family, caregivers and general public
• in-service training to home-support providers, presentations/community displays

Provides professional counselling services to culturally deaf and hard of hearing individuals ages 16 and older, who are living with mental health issues or other serious challenges

Offers free counselling, education and advocacy to assist with:

• depression, anxiety or bipolar issues
• present or past trauma
• grief and loss
• life transitions
• parenting and family challenges
• relationship struggles
• personal development
• sexuality
• deaf identity
• substance use
• domestic violence

FREE emotional and social support to anyone whose life has been impacted by cancer, services include:

• professionally facilitated Support Groups
• short-term counselling (including grief counselling) for both adults and children
• health and wellness activities
• social events
• specialized workshops
• community referrals, and more

Gilda's Club Simcoe Muskoka is a mask-friendly facility

COVID-19 Response

• all face to face support group meetings are suspended, some groups are holding virtual meetings
• call 1-800-565-300 for more information

Regular Service
For more information about this group, contact Parkinson Canada.

Peer support groups, education, and training for family members, service providers, and caregivers * sessions may include information such as advanced directives and safety issues

Supports for people with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, and their caregivers * social worker * caregiver support * education

Services and Programs:

• Support Groups for Individuals or Families Caring for a Senior

Family health care services delivered by nurse practitioners and team of health care professionals

Services are by pre-booked appointments only and are for registered patients only; no walk-in services

Clinic Services

• chronic disease management (such as diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure),
• prenatal care, healthy baby and pediatrics, Infant/Child CPR
• diagnosis and treatment of acute illnesses, infections and injuries
• cancer screening
• laboratory services
• immunizations
• palliative care
• counselling
• nutrition and health promotion, Summer Cooking Camp
• physiotherapy
• pharmacist

Smoking Cessation

• individual assessment, counselling and coaching to quit smoking
• prescriptions for nicotine replacement therapies and cessation medications
• motivational interventions
• referral to community resources
• referral to Smoking Treatment for Ontario Patients (STOP) Program, which includes free nicotine replacements and counselling (advance registration required)

Diabetes Conversations -- group program includes four weekly sessions

Healthy You Program -- 10 week program includes practical information on healthy eating, physical activity and emotional health; includes tools to help maintain healthy lifestyle

Mindful Eating Group

Healthy Kidneys Program

The group meets for mutual support, as well as to learn more about living well with Parkinson's disease. If you are unable to attend in person, you can join virtually by Zoom. Call or email for more information.

For more information about the group, or to be connected with the current local volunteer contact for the support group, please contact Parkinson Canada at 1-800-565-3000 or info@parkinson.ca.

Anglican Church offering:

• Sunday service 10 am in person and on Facebook Live
• Sunday school
• Bible study
• Second Hand Thrift Shop for gently used clothing and other items
• Morning prayer
• Knitters fellowship group with outreach projects
• Vacation Bible School

Visit website or call for program information

The North Simcoe Parkinson Support Group meets for: mutual support, as well as to learn more about living with Parkinson's disease. For more information about the group or to be connected with the current local volunteer contact for the support group, please contact Parkinson Canada.

Provides information on Down Syndrome (DS) and organizes meetings, social events and workshops to promote integration in all areas of community life

• information for parents of new born children with Down Syndrome
• opportunities for improvement of skills to member with DS, including speech and occupational therapy for younger, school aged children
• music therapy for all ages
• programs to reinforce gross motor skills, strength and confidence
• opportunities for members to share mutual concerns, resource ideas and best practices
• information evenings

Certified specialists to assist in building the skills needed to live safely and independently with vision loss. This may include:

• learn safe methods of pouring a cup of coffee, preparing a meal and using household appliances
• discover simple techniques for labelling medications, identifying money, using the phone and organizing household items
• learn how to use large-print, braille and audio products, and adaptive technology as a part of day-to-day life
• find community programs, financial subsidies and other helpful resources available in your local area

After Stroke Program for stroke survivors and caregivers

• exercise
• education
• community programs
• connect with peers, exchange information and resources
• learn new skills
• build a social network for support