Searching for Assistive Devices

Program to assist with purchase, repair and maintainence of a wide variety of mobility or assistive equipment

• manual and power wheelchairs, scooters, walkers
• home and bathroom aids, floor patient lifts
• basic aids for daily living
• may also have contact information or resources to assist in locating additional funding sources

Information and referral to health, housing, and parental support

Individuals and families may be eligible for:

• emergency food kits
• affordable food box filled with fresh produce (monthly)
• baby food, emergency supply of baby food, diapers
• adult diapers (once per month)
• clothing
• Ontario Works - drop-in and case management
• after school programs for children (5-13 years)
• homework club
• wee welcome program that connects expecting or new mothers with programs, resources and parenting support
• adult programs available
  

Outpatient specialist clinics * diagnoses and treatments for various medical conditions

Adult Wheelchair and Seating Program - Seating clinic to help improve comfort, posture, and the ability to perform daily activities with specialized seating or mobility devices * therapists assess and prescribe wheelchairs and related seating equipment to adults with complex seating needs * therapists are registered authorizers with the Assistive Devices Program

PossAbilities - Assistive Technologies - Assessments, recommendations, training and information related to accessibility

The Fitness Centre at Parkwood Institute - Adapted exercise and wellness program for individuals with limited mobility to engage in regular physical activity and promote re-integration into community fitness * promotes self-directed exercise, but offers assistance from a Fitness Instructor, Therapeutic Recreational Specialist, and a team of volunteers, when needed * variety of equipment and services including adapted cardiovascular and strength training equipment, easy to transfer plinths/mats, seated aerobics, adapted yoga, functional electrical stimulation cycling in the upper and lower body

Wound Care - Interdisciplinary clinic that provides consultation for the management of vascular insufficiency (venous, arterial and mixed), and neuropathic, diabetic and decubitus ulcers

Free dental care to low income families who have no dental insurance * services include examinations, x-rays, cleanings, basic fillings

All patients must be screened by one of the following agencies who will then put the patient's name on the list for treatment:

Youth Opportunities Unlimited
Contact: Jeff White
519-432-1112 ext 288

The Glen Cairn Community Resource Centre
Contact: Stanislav Rajic
519-668-2745

Crouch Neighbourhood Resource Centre
Contact: Megan Kesich
519-642-7630

South London Neighbourhood Resource Centre
Contact: Gerri Catherwood
519-649-1248

Family Centre Westminster
Contact: Lena Haider
519-649-1248

Northwest London Resource Centre
Contact: Amani Radhaa
519-471-8444

Direct services, advocacy and public education to help children and youth with physical disabilities and their families * resource links on website

Direct Financial Assistance - For prescribed equipment (can serve to top up Assistive Devices Program (ADP) support and other funders) such as wheelchairs, braces and communication devices (prior approval required)

Incontinence Supplies Grant Program - For children and youth 3-18 years of age with chronic disabilities (physical or developmental) that result in irreversible incontinence or retention problems lasting longer than six months requiring the use of incontinence supplies * the program is fully funded by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care

Camping - Summer camp programs for children and families at two accessible camps across Ontario * Camp Merrywood (Perth) and Camp Woodeden (London)

Offers basic financial assistance to eligible community residents requiring basic needs and shelter

Monthly allowance based on family size, housing costs and income * monthly drug benefit card

Other services include:

• Community Start-Up Benefit - Help with housing or moving costs * covers costs related to starting a job or work placement
• Employment Start-Up Benefit - Covers costs related to starting a job or work placement
• Families with Children - Newborn child allowance, back to school allowance for dependent children, child care start-up costs, basic dental care for children
• Employment Assistance - Clients 18-65 years must participate in employment assistance activities unless they are living with a serious disability or illness or caring for preschool children
• Community Participation - Volunteer placements
• Job Search Programs - Based on skills, experience and circumstances
• Employment Placement - Job matching service
• Basic Education - Basic adult upgrading, high school upgrading, literacy and basic skills
• Job Skills Training - Development of skills for specific jobs, on-the-job training
• Supports to Self-Employment - Referrals to self-employment programs
• Discretionary Benefits - May include dentures, emergency dental services, eyeglasses, special diet allowance, health care supplies, medical transportation funds, prosthetic devices, funerals and burials

Programs may vary by city or municipality and may be available to non-Ontario Works recipients upon income assessment

Financial assistance when facing a child's chronic or terminal illness

• funds for treatment, assistive devices, and specialized equipment not funded by OHIP or by family's private insurance
• funds for travel to and from hospitals or medical facilities
• accommodation expenses when receiving treatment more than 200 km away from their primary residence
• subsidies for daily living expenses when primary caregivers are unable to work because they are caring for their child

Through organized food drives we provide hampers for the annual Christmas relief program * through private financial donations assist individuals experiencing difficult times and others encountering unexpected expenses throughout the year, such as rent arrears, utility assistance, some medical / dental costs

Huron County Food Bank Distribution Centre sources, purchases and receives donations of foods from area producers, businesses and wholesalers and redistributes them to food bank and food-aid agencies in Huron County and Perth County (Stratford & St. Marys). Financial and product donations are welcome.

Provide incontinence products for food bank clients in Perth and Huron Counties (including Stratford and St Marys) as well as the HCFBDC Mobile Food Bank program to meet a basic need. Available monthly through mobile program and bi-weekly at the food banks.

2022/2023 Mobile Food Bank (MFB) dates - all are weather dependent:

BRUSSELS - Behind The Barn, delivery made between 9:30 am and 11:00 am. Dates - October 20, 2022, November 24, 2022, December 15, 2022, January 19, 2023, February 23, 2023, March 23, 2023, April 20, 2023, May 25, 2023, and June 22, 2023.

LUCKNOW - Walter Street Housing at 10:30 am, across from the Legion 11 am to 12 noon. Dates - October 18, 2022, November 22, 2022, December 13, 2022, January 17, 2023, February 21, 2023, March 21, 2023, April 18, 2023, May 23, 2023, and June 20, 2023.

HURON PARK - ONE STOP at the former school location, Columbia & Empress Streets, delivery made between 10:30 am and 12 noon. Dates - October 21, 2022, November 25, 2022, December 16, 2022, January 20, 2023, February 24, 2023, March 24, 2023, April 21, 2023, May 26, 2023, and June 23, 2023.

VANASTRA - at the Vanastra CR Church Parking Lot, delivery made between 10:30 am and 12 noon. Dates - October 19, 2022, November 23, 2022, December 14, 2022, January 18, 2023, February 22, 2023, March 22, 2023, April 19, 2023, May 24, 2023, and June 21, 2023.

BLYTH - at the United Church Parking Lot, delivery made between 11:30 am and 1:00 pm. Dates - October 20, 2022, November 24, 2022, December 15, 2022, January 19, 2023, February 23, 2023, March 23, 2023, April 20, 2023, May 25, 2023, and June 22, 2023.

HCFBDC began a more focused approach to provide fresh wholesome foods (milk, eggs, meat, fresh fruit & vegetables) as a result of the Tracking, Assessing & Improving the Distribution of Food Aid in Rural Huron County study which was completed in 2018. In addition to the seasonal donations of fresh produce, HCFBDC sources fresh produce throughout the year. In addition to supporting our food-aid agency clients, HCFBDC operates a Mobile Food Bank service in 4 communities (Brussels, Huron Park, Lucknow and Vanastra) as these areas were also identified in the study as areas considered to be food deserts.

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Child Care Centre Forms * Breastfeeding Support * Healthy Babies Healthy Children Program * Food handler certification * Vaccine Order Forms * Special Events & Farmers' Market Forms

Southwestern Public Health offers free preventive dental clinics to:

* Children and Youth 0-17 Healthy Smiles Ontario Program , for more information on this program click here
* Seniors 65+ who have a dental card from the Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program, for more information on this program click here


At the dental clinic, a Registered Dental Hygienist provides:
- Dental Screening (looking for any issues with gums, teeth or other parts of the mouth
- Dental hygiene treatment (cleaning)
- Education on how to keep your mouth clean and healthy
- Possible referral to other dental treatment services

A comprehensive line of respiratory equipment and products, including:

• Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy equipment (for sleep apnea)
• suction equipment
• asthma and allergy products
• aerosol therapy compressors and nebulizers
• pediatric respiratory supplies
• tracheostomy supplies and accessories

Provides access to community care, links people to a wide range of community services and supports, care coordinators work with patients/clients in community and hospital settings to determine the right care and support they require, care is delivered to the client in various community settings including home, school, residential facility and at flex clinics

Services available to eligible clients may include:

• Nursing
• Nurse practitioner
• Physiotherapy and occupational therapy
• Nutritional Counselling/Dietetics
• Speech-Language therapy
• Social work
• Personal support
• Medical supplies and equipment
• Connecting to other community support services and agencies
• Mental Health and Addiction Nurses (MHAN)

Other specialized services may include:

• Access to assisted living and supportive housing
• Access to respite care and convalescent care (short-term stays and adult day programs)
• Access to long-term care homes, rehabilitation and complex continuing care beds
• School health support services to school aged children
• Community support for people living with cancer
• Hospice Palliative Care

Information and Referral - thehealthline.ca provides online access to health care information and services in Ontario, or call the referral phone service at 310-2222 (Local Health Integration Network, Home and Community Care) - in English or 310-2272 (CASC) - in French

Healthy Smiles Ontario is a government-funded dental program that provides free preventive, routine, and emergency dental services for eligible children and youth 17 years old and under from low-income households. Children and youth with existing dental insurance coverage are not automatically excluded from the program. Offers preventive dental services such as check-ups, cleaning, filling, x-rays, scaling, emergency dental care, dental sealants, and fluoride varnish to children and youth in Perth County who are identified through dental screening. Services are free for children and youth from families who cannot afford the cost of dental care. These services are available by appointment in Stratford and Listowel. If you have a dentist, contact their office to find out if they participate in Healthy Smiles Ontario. If you do not have a dentist, contact the Health Unit for help. For information and eligibility go HERE Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program (OSDCP) available. For information and eligibility go HERE

Accept donated medical, personal care, educational and sports related donations and prepare them to be distributed locally and internationally.

Emergency Assistance for those not on Ontario Works (OW) or Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) and have no access to other supports, have applied to EI but have not received payment. How to Apply online HERE or contact at 519-271-3773 Ext 200. Rates based on OW entitlements and are issued temporarily for 16-48 days through an expedited process

Ontario Works - Basic Financial Assistance may be available to assist with cost of basic needs like food, clothing and shelter as well as health benefits and employment assistance. Eligibility is assessed by reviewing family size, income, assets and housing cost. At this time applications for financial assistance and participation agreements can be completed over the phone and verified through third party checks. More information about OW along with rates of assistance can be found HERE How to Apply online HERE or contact at 1-888-999-1142 (including those who have previously been in receipt of OW and need to re-apply)

Financial Assistance - Monthly allowance based on family size, housing costs and income, monthly drug benefit card and other services including covering the costs related to starting a job or work placement

Employment Assistance - Clients 18-65 years must participate in employment assistance activities unless they are living with a serious disability or illness, or caring for preschool children

Community Participation - volunteer placements, job search programs based on individual's skills, experience and circumstances, employment placement - job matching service, basic education -- basic adult upgrading, high school upgrading, English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, literacy and basic skills, job skills training -- development of skills for specific jobs, on-the-job training, supports to self-employment and referrals to self-employment programs

Discretionary Benefits may include one-time health related items such as eye glasses, emergency dental treatment, prosthetics and health related supplies, Non-health related items such as essential appliances, utility arrears (in order to avoid disconnection, costs associated with funerals, burials and cremations. Programs may vary by City or Municipality

MyBenefits www.ontario.ca/mybenefits online access to report changes to or to get information about your Ontario Works file.

Temporary Care Program - there is financial assistance available for children under the care of a guardian or with no available parent

Emergency Homelessness - People and families in need of emergency housing during regular work hours should contact the Ontario Works office to speak with an Outreach worker. Outside of normal business hours, contact Shelterlink at 519-272-2294 or 1-888-829-7484

Home health equipment supplier including: enteral feeding, respiratory therapy, oxygen therapy, CPAP/APAP/BiPAP, bathroom safety, rental equipment, work and sport bracing, compression hose, incontinence, activity/daily living therapy, ostomy, wheelchairs, walkers and scooters, stair lifts, deck lifts and ramping systems, medical surgical supplies, and safety equipment. Registered ADP vendor Locations in Stratford, Cambridge, Guelph, Orangeville, Durham, Owen Sound and Collingwood

Service club supports local, national and international organizations through local fundraising. May be able to consider individuals' requests for assistance with purchase of eye glasses by sending a letter to the club.

Hearing aids and assistive devices sales and service, hearing tests, screening, fittings

• Assistive Devices Program (ADP) registered vendor
• WSIB, DVA, and ODSP provider

Emergency program that can assist families and individuals living with low incomes in Huron County.

Assistance may include but not be limited to: Emergency heat, water, sewage, rental arrears, dental. Eyeglasses, baby supplies, limited assistance with cost of prosthetic Items, other health care items. Limited financial assistance may be available in other exceptional circumstances.

Ontario Works provides income support to assist with the cost of basic needs like food, clothing and shelter as well as health benefits for people in temporary financial need. Emergency Assistance is also available to people who are in crisis or in an emergency situation such as people who have lost their homes, are leaving an abusive relationship and/or are worried about their safety. There are two options to apply for Ontario Works: online HERE or contact at 519-482-8505 or 1-888-371-5718 and press 0 for reception (including those who have previously been in receipt of OW and need to re-apply)

More information about OW along with rates of assistance can be found HERE

Ontario Works, often called OW, is a program for people in Ontario who are in temporary financial need.

OW can provide money and/or help find a job. Financial need is determined by an Assessment of Eligibility by Ontario Works including review of income, liquid assets and living expenses. Support varies depending upon housing costs and family size.

Assistance may also be provided for:

• drug and dental coverage
• eyeglasses
• hearing aids
• employment start-up benefits
• job search help including resumes and interview skills, independent job searches, training or skills development
• Temporary Care Program - there is financial assistance available for children under the care of a guardian

Healthy Smiles Ontario is a government-funded dental program that provides free preventive, routine, and emergency dental services for eligible children and youth 17 years old and under from low-income households. Children and youth with existing dental insurance coverage are not automatically excluded from the program. Offers preventive dental services such as check-ups, cleaning, filling, x-rays, scaling, emergency dental care, dental sealants, and fluoride varnish to children and youth in Perth County who are identified through dental screening. Services are free for children and youth from families who cannot afford the cost of dental care. These services are available by appointment in Stratford and Listowel. If you have a dentist, contact their office to find out if they participate in Healthy Smiles Ontario. If you do not have a dentist, contact the Health Unit for help. For information and eligibility go HERE Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program (OSDCP) available. For information and eligibility go HERE

COVID19 Delivery and curbside pickup available.

ADP certified. Sales and Rentals of home medical supplies and equipment including: Mobility Devices - ADP certified - walkers, scooters, wheelchairs, canes and accessories, Nordic Walkers CPAP/Respiratory - machines, equipment, parts replacement. Registered Respiratory Therapist on site available by appointment Home Care Aids - bathroom safety, lift chairs, transfer devices, health and wellness Therapeutic Aids - blood pressure and blood glucose monitors, foot care, compression stockings, wound and fracture care, post surgery recovery kits, back support, braces, light therapy, asthma and allergy.