Searching for Physical Disabilities

Referrals to local services to provide maintenance services such as snow removal, lawn maintenance, fall clean up, spring clean-up, eavestrough cleaning and exterior window cleaning * program provides adaptation services within the home once a free in-home safety assessment is completed * minor handyman repairs can be provide if materials are provided

Tenancy Risk Reduction Program - Hoarding and decluttering * email trrs@chats.on.ca

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

Services and supports for individuals who are Deaf and hard of hearing

• general support counselling
• mental health/wellness counselling
• sign language interpreting
• hearing care counselling program for 55+
• hearing healthcare/audiology services
• communication devices program
• video conferencing services
• employment services for job seekers
• sign language classes for individuals and businesses

Emergency Interpreter Service, 24 hours, 1-866-518-0000, TTY 1-877-215-9530, urgent@chs.ca, SMS or text 416-712-6637

Deaf-Blind Intervening Services 1-866-518-0000, TTY 1-877-215-9530, Allan Wareham awareham@chs.ca

Maximizes functionality of all people regardless of age and ability, and provides opportunities for people with disabilities by bridging gap between funding and services

Programs and Services

• attendant care funding
• orthotics and prosthetics
• physiotherapy and suit therapy
• provides information on modifications for home accessibility
• estate planning workshops
• martial arts

Income Supports:

Health benefits -- prescription drugs, dental care, vision care

• medical supplies, including diabetic and surgical supplies
• transportation to medical treatment if cost exceeds $15 per month
• Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Nutritional Allowance
• Extended Health Benefit may be available to clients who are no longer eligible for ODSP income support

Disability-related benefits -- assistive devices including mobility devices, vision and hearing aids, prosthetics

• batteries for mobility devices and hearing aids
• guide dogs
• Special Diet Allowance may be available

Employment incentives and benefits -- Employment and Training Start-Up Benefit

• child care costs
• Work-related benefit
• Transitional health benefit
• Employment Transition Benefit

Transition Child Benefit -- for those not receiving the Ontario Child Benefit or the Canada Child Benefit

Employment Supports -- job preparation, job search, starting a business

Interactive Voice Response (IVR) 1-800-808-2268, Mon-Sun 24 hrs-- automated information and payment details, file status * service not available to TTY users

Welfare Fraud Hotline 1-800-394-7867, welfare.fraud.css@ontario.ca -- to report suspected cases of social assistance fraud

Provides an array of services to people who are Deaf, hard of hearing, non-verbal and deafblind that are customized to each individual's unique needs, method of communication, and goals to enrich their life.

• intervenor and other specialized services
• community-based residences
• supports development of life and vocational skills
• recreational opportunities

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

If you have low vision, learning to use the sight you have left can be life-changing. Our certified specialists can:

• provide a functional vision assessment designed for people with low vision
• explain eye diseases and how they affect vision in an easy-to-understand way
• teach techniques for maximizing eyesight, like how to use lighting and contrast
• give one-on-one instruction on helpful sight-enhancing devices, like specialty magnifiers

Vision loss rehabilitation therapy helps people with all levels of vision loss to develop or restore key daily living skills, helping enhance their independence, safety and mobility * Ophthalmologists, optometrists and other health care professionals may refer you for this therapy as a part of your overall care plan * vision loss rehabilitation therapy is provided by certified specialists, who will work with you to create a personalized rehabilitation plan to meet your needs and goals

Supports for people living with vision loss * rehabilitation therapy for people with vision loss

• low vision services
• essential skills for daily living
• travel and mobility instruction
• services for children and families
• assistive technology services

Services and Programs:

• Consumer Products
• Independent Living Skills
• Low Vision Assessment
• Orientation and Mobility
• Registration and Referral

If you have low vision, learning to use the sight you have left can be life-changing. Our certified specialists can:

• provide a functional vision assessment designed for people with low vision
• explain eye diseases and how they affect vision in an easy-to-understand way
• teach techniques for maximizing eyesight, like how to use lighting and contrast

Give one-on-one instruction on helpful sight-enhancing devices, like specialty magnifiers

COVID19 -- All public health procedures are followed including daily screening of clients


Programs and services for differently abled children

• pre-school play program, school readiness programs
• direct instruction tutoring
• social skills from JK up to 20 plus
• play, behaviour, IBI and verbal-behaviour therapies
• autism and behaviour consultancy
• TEAM - Together Everyone Acquired More Program - parent guidance/support
• March break and summer camps
• workshops, parties and events

In-home support to assist persons with routine household activities and instrumental activities of daily living, such as light housekeeping (of personal living space), household management tasks, shopping and meal preparation * assessment, service planning and care coordination is also provided * the program focus is strengths based-supporting persons to complete tasks independently and assisting with tasks they cannot perform

Service is provided by a trained Home Support Worker with special knowledge in working with older adults

82 Bed residence with 24 hour support and supervision for vulnerable adults with physical or cognitive impairments.

Supports and amenities include:

• Transportation and support for medical and dental appointments
• Family Physician visit on site weekly
• Certified PSW on site
• Registered Nurse(RN) for medical needs & medication
• Activity and/or outing daily accompanied by the Quality Of Life Coordinator
• CAMH on-site weekly for the Exercise Program and/or Arts and Crafts

Resources include traditional reading materials, e-books and e-resources.

Other programs and services include:

• Seed Library: Borrow seeds using your library card. At the end of the growing season you may choose to save some of your seeds and return them to the library.
• Kitchen Library: Lending collection of kitchen gadgets, tools and appliances to borrow on your library card.
• Children's Programs: Summer Reading Program, Story Time and Ontario Early Years for pre-school children
• Adult Lifelong Learning Programs
• meeting room space is available for use by community groups and for private rental when the library is closed

For a complete list of programs offered, visit Essa Public Library

Full service hearing centre. House calls available for a fee.

Hearing services include:

• hearing tests
• hearing aid sales and fittings
• FREE hearing aid trials
• custom and invisible hearing aids
• hearing aid repairs
• hearing aid rental
• wax removal
• direct billing to WSIB, DVA, ODSP, ADP, Greenshield

Supports parents and advocates. Members inform one another of current and future developments relating to CLASS and their participants. Hosts guest speakers.

Family Resource Worker (FRW) develops:

• plans with the family to identify the strengths and needs of the child/youth
• assists in obtaining the necessary and available supports for family and their child based upon the family's goals
• helps with transitions such as school or adult services
• provides information regarding alternative funding sources applications
• assists with information regarding school related issues
• assists family and child's community advocacy outreach by providing information services, education and consultation with other program and service providers
• Families in Alliston, Collingwood, Midland, Orillia and surrounding areas can access Family Resource Services through the local office or through the main office 705-733-3227 Ext 2335
• Families in Barrie, Innisfil and Bradford areas can access these services through Simcoe Community Services, Family Services Program at 705-726-9082
• All referrals must include a confirmation of diagnosis from a medical professional

Taxi service

• airport shuttle and package delivery services, wheelchair accessible vans available
• Barrie's Taxi Cabs for Cancer campaign occurs October in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and November in support of Movember - one dollar for every Cab for Cancer taxi ride is donated to the Simcoe Muskoka Regional Cancer Centre at Royal Victoria Hospital

A multidisciplinary team of child-centred providers, who cater to the needs of children of all abilities. Service include:

Clinical Services

• Speech & Language Pathology (SLP)
• Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA)
• Parent Coaching / Training

Sells specialty sized bras, custom bras, breast prosthesis and more.

Private senior in-home care services

• offer specialized Alzheimer's, post-stroke, Parkinson's and dementia respite and live-in home care
• provide non-medical home care, services include:
  • Healthy meal prep
  • Exercise
  • Companionship
  • Light housekeeping
  • Personal Support Worker
  • Respite care services
  • Hospital to home care
  • Transportation for medical appointments and running errands
  • Cognitive Therapeutics - Mind Fit Program to exercise the brain

Community Support Services: supports individuals with intellectual disabilities of all ages and their families in accessing resources and opportunities in their community including:

• individualized guidance and support: immediate assistance (no w/l)
• education and self help workshops/groups
• respite options: March Break and Summer Camps for Children, Youth, and Adults in Stouffville, Markham, Richmond Hill and Vaughan * weeknight and weekend programs are offered on an as needed basis
• parent operated programs: led and driven by parents and participants to create program options with the support and guidance of CLYS Coordinators

The Community Support staff offer services in a variety of languages including:
Cantonese; Mandarin; Hindi; Punjabi; Urdu and Tamil. Contacts:

Winny Ho (Cantonese, Mandarin) at 905-884-9110, ext 382
who@communitylivingyorksouth.ca
Crystie Lau (Cantonese, Mandarin) at 905-884-9110 ext 267
clau@@communitylivingyorksouth.ca
Puja Jit (Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu) at 905-884-9110 ext 640
pjit@communitylivingyorksouth.ca
Athavi Kugathasan (Tamil) at 905-884-9110 ext 703
akugathasan@communitylivingyorksouth.ca

Project Search: offered to participants nearing or at the end of completing high school * program includes: in-class facilitation, on-site support, one to one supports regarding employment (ie. job coaching)Contact Ellie Siegel at 416-606-9058
esiegel@communitylivingyorksouth.ca

Fee For Service Options:
Marketplace: provides a selection of group educational courses, social activities and recreational opportunities for adults in collaboration with local municipalities and school boards
Contact: Cathy Johnston at 1-877-737-3475, ext 380
cjohnston@communitylivingyorksouth.ca

Learning Academy: offers an educationally-based curriculum, with a focus on the practice and improvement of various literacy skills and community based activities * It is offered in two locations: Vaughan and Richmond Hill
Contact: Cathy Johnston at 1-877-737-3475, ext 380
cjohnston@communitylivingyorksouth.ca

Residential and Day support:
The following services are available through Developmental Services Ontario (DSO) through the Regional Prioritization Process (https://www.dsontario.ca/):
Residential Services: Group Homes, Supported Independent Living, Community Participation Programs

Services and Programs:

• Markham
• Vaughan

Connects seniors with all the services available to them through a free one-stop shop format

• works with seniors and their families to create and implement a service plan to enhance their living condition
• specialists in navigating all areas of the complexities of life's changes from start to finish, including: Life/Navigational Coaching, Stress Management In-home Care / Assistance Transportation Options Medical Advocacy In-Home Medical Upgrades Grief Counselling Home Modifications / Repairs Downsizing Consultations Legal Advise Financial Advice and Assistance Real Estate Sales Home Staging Home Inspections

COVID-19 Response

• For updated information visit: Service during COVID-19
• Both the Downtown and Painswick locations of the Barrie Public Library are open for in-person visits with spaces and services updated to support the health, safety and comfort of all visitors
  • in-person service will include mandatory face coverings, physical distancing practices, strict cleaning protocols with ongoing sanitization of high traffic surfaces and the quarantining of returned materials
  • browse the aisles for books, movies and more or get help from staff, to quickly find what you need
  • access the digital library with a 60-minute session on the public computers or with your own device and free wi-fi
  • printing, scanning and photocopying as well as wireless and remote printing is available
  • in-library visits should be brief and no longer than an hour to ensure equitable access to our entire community
• Book an appointment for low contact Express Pickup of material
• Return slots are open 24/7 at both locations,, please note that returned material will be quarantined for at least 3 days before they are checked in
• there are no late fees for overdue items
• virtual programs
• To get up-to-date and accurate information regarding the COVID-19 outbreak and how you can reduce the spread of the virus access the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit

Regular Service
Provides informational, recreational and cultural resources for all ages

Resources/Services include:

• books, magazines, compact discs, newspapers, maps, DVDs, Electronic books, downloadable audiobooks, magazines and movies, and Internet access (including wireless)
• online databases on many topics available through the library website and from computers within the library
• multilingual materials
• computers with Office 2007 (Word, Excel, Powerpoint) and internet access are available for public use
• Brainfuse HelpNow online tutoring available with Library membership. Knowledgeable tutors provide help in a wide variety of subjects like math, science, social studies, English language arts, and Canadian and world history. Tutors are available every day from 2 pm-11 pm and can provide help in English and French from elementary to postsecondary
• group study room and a silent study room
• community meeting room available for rental, see separate record
• Talking Book Service, Large Print Book Collection and CELA materials available to library users who, due to a visual, physical, or learning disability, cannot use conventional print materials
• Library newsletter is available through the website in a version for the visually impaired
• specialized unit which magnifies print material for the visually impaired
• Visiting Library Service for individuals who cannot visit the library in person

Programs include:

• programs for children and teens including children's storytime programs, Teen Writers Group and Summer Reading Programs
• programs for adults including internet and email workshops, workshops to introduce specialized online resources, as well as information sessions on many topics from health to travel to business
• book clubs for adults, teens and children are offered September-June
• library tours, please book in advance

Information Barrie

• operates as a community information and referral service
• Information Barrie database of community organizations is available through the library website, see separate record

Annual Barrie Dragon Boat Festival

• held in August and involves Dragon boat races and land-based activities in support of this event
• the Festival is in support of Barrie Public Library plus other local charities

Ontario Library Week (formerly Ontario Public Library Week) is in October

Canadian Library Month is the month of October

Chief Executive Officer is Lauren Jessop, lauren.jessop@barrielibrary.ca