Searching for Developmental Disabilities

If an individual has a disability and requires accommodation to participate in a municipal program, assistance may be available through program adaptation, support from a trained volunteer or staff person, or through some other kind of accommodation.

A group of adults with developmental disabilities whose goal is to explore their own personal possibilities in the community. Led by members, with the help of staff, every individual creates their plan to achieve future goals. Through discovering and using their own gifts, they move forward by breaking large life dreams into smaller steps. Most of all, individuals learn to find their strengths and to use them to connect and be involved in the community.

Supports people under the age of 18 with a developmental and/or physical disability who are residents of Ontario and live at home. It is an individualized program focusing on personal growth and development as well as family relief and support. Once funding is approved families have two options:
1. To self-administer their funding through the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS).
2. To have Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region (EAFWR) assist in administering their contract.

Passport Funding, through the Ministry of Community and Social Services, supports adults with a developmental disability to participate in their community. Passport recipients receive funding for activities and respite, encouraging them to seek out their personal goals, and reach their full potential. Individuals may be involved in further education, employment-related development, volunteer activities, participation in community and enhancement of social, independent living and personal management skills.

Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region is an approved Transfer Payment Agency with the Passport Office. Support Coordinators are trained and knowledgeable professionals who can help access all the options Passport funding has to offer. The following are options that Extend-A-Family can offer:

1. One-to-one Direct Support Person - Direct Support is focused on the participant, to find and do things in the community. Recruit and screen Direct Support People to match participants' interest, goals and availability.
2. Administration Support - Assistance with planning, tracking, and reimbursement of expenses. Extend-A-Family pays approved vendors or independent contractors directly.
3. Community Groups - Groups are comprised of 3 to 4 adults with similar schedules and interests. As groups begin connecting to places and people in community, the hope is that these groups will eventually meet together without paid support.
4. Weekend Social Club - Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region is privileged to continue offering the Weekend Social Club (WSC). Founded by the Kitchener Waterloo Association for Community Living, WSC's goal is to inspire active participation in the community. WSC offers recreational opportunities for adults with a developmental disability where a variety of community events and interests are explored. Events and activities range from attending sporting events, nature hiking, visiting historical places etc.
5. Community Day Supports - Working Adults Learning Empowering Skills (WALES) Group is led by group members, with the support of staff and peers. Every person creates their plan based on their goals and dreams, and WALES will support the participant in achieving.

Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region was founded in 1981 by parents of children with developmental disabilities, as a way to build friendship and nurture community in Waterloo Region.

Human service organization that honours the rights of youth 13+, adults, seniors self-identifying with any disability (physical, developmental/intellectual, psychosocial, mental health, addiction, chronic pain or FASD), social isolation and/or barriers to inclusion to live a full and meaningful life as a valued member ​​and contributing citizens of their communities, supported by their families and a network of caring relationships.

Offer Person Directed Life Planning & Facilitation for:

• Participation in inclusive community-based activities and interest groups
  
• Transitioning to High School or Post Secondary Education
  
• Increasing personal Independence and adopting an Adult Lifestyle
  
• Friendship and romantic relationship building
  
• Meaningful community contribution through employment & volunteering
  
• Creative options for a place to call home
  
• Development of an unpaid network of supportive relationships.

​Future Planning Legal & Financial Workshops

BE-Friends Volunteer Matching Program

BE-Connected Virtual Hangout

The purpose of the Youth and Teen Groups is to provide respite for caregivers and provide meaningful recreational activities and skill building opportunities for participants.

The Health and Wellness Programme is designed to target youth, adults, and seniors with physical disabilities, and to reduce the risk factors of health issues.

A community information resource service on computer literacy and assisted or adaptive technology for adults with physical disabilities.

Services for people with disabilities

• Information and resource centre
  
• Committed to providing an environment that supports self-determination for people with physical disabilities, based upon the principles of choice, equality, co-operation and mutual respect
  
• Social, recreational and educational programmes and services
  
• Health and Wellness programmes
  
• Computer and assistive device training
  
• Internet access
  

LEG Up! is a learning and skill-building program for adults that provides education and training which will open doors to obtaining valuable experiences including employment, community inclusion, volunteerism, and independent living. Classes are taught by qualified instructors and learning occurs in small groups in person, online or a combination of the two (hybrid).

Christian Horizons Supported Vacations is a fee for service program, offering supported summer vacation and camp programs, as well as, supported excursions year round.

Services for persons with disabilities

Individual Support Services​: opportunities for:

• in-home respite
• out-of-home respite
• transportation
• school-to-work transitional supports

Supported Independent Living

• for a person who chooses to live independently or with a roommate
• level of support is determined on an individual basis
• can range from several hours per day to a few hours each week

Community Participation Supports / Employment Supports

• encouragement to pursue employment
• volunteer
• leisure and recreation opportunities
• life skill development
• community involvement
• vocational and recreational activities
• options explored on an individual basis
• supports available to enable the person to participate in activities

Family Home Services

• for persons who prefer a family-like setting
• person shares the family home with a family, similar to foster care
• the matching of individuals with families ensures compatibility
• long-term arrangement
• staff frequently meets with the family home provider and the individual to offer support and guidance

Community Residences

• provides a quality residential setting for adults and children who require assistance in daily living
• three to six individuals live in shared accommodations and usually receive 24-hours/day support

A support plan that will reflect the unique needs of each person, including opportunities for skill development and is a community-based focus, accessing a variety of recreational and leisure facilities.

Support group for parents/caregivers of children with ADHD

Provides a wide variety of full or half-time activities for Sunbeam residents as well as eligible community-based adults living at home.

Autism Ontario is a charitable organization with a history of over 46 years representing the thousands of people on the autism spectrum and their families across Ontario. Made up of knowledgeable parents, professionals, and autistic self-advocates who can speak to the key issues that impact those with autism and their families, Autism Ontario is the province's leading source of information and referral on autism, and one of the largest collective voices representing the autism community.

Waterloo is part of the Central West Region of Autism Ontario and the work of this Region includes:

• Increasing public awareness about autism and the day-to-day issues faced by individuals with autism, their families and the professionals with whom they interact
  
• Providing information and education, supporting research and advocating for programs and services
  
• Organizing meetings, events, and programs that take place in various locations across the Waterloo region
  

Services for people with developmental disabilities and their families include:

• supported independent living
• community participation supports
• LifeShare / Host Family support
• passport & personal funding programs
• group living with 24 hour supervision

Residences in Oakville:

• three 24 hour supervised group living locations - two are wheelchair accessible
• one supported and partially supervised independent living program operates in two separate locations
• day program offering recreational, sensory and community activities

Residences in rural Halton:

• three 24-hour group living locations, with an emphasis on specialized treatment, in the Milton and Acton areas

Provides recreation facilities, programs and consultation services for Cambridge residents

Provides recreation facilities, programs and consultation services for Cambridge residents

Provides recreation facilities, programs and consultation services for Cambridge residents

Provides recreation facilities, programs and consultation services for Cambridge residents

Provides recreation facilities, programs and consultation services for Cambridge residents

Leisure buddies are volunteers who work one to one or with small groups doing a variety of activities (e.g., coffee, sports events, games, etc.).