Searching for Disability Associations

Support and information to cancer patients, families and caregivers * comprehensive information about cancer and cancer Available for community presentations

Peer Match

• Cancer patients matched with trained volunteers
• by phone, personal visit, group support

Wheels of Hope - Transportation Program

• Volunteer drivers provide transportation to treatment appointments
• subject to availability of volunteers

COVID19 -- case management, counselling, and food bank for clients by appointment only * most case management to be done over phone * youth programs are now virtual and Youth Outreach Coordinator is working remotely, email youth@aidsdurham.com * cancellation of support groups, events, interventions, workshops, fundraising events, training and social activities

Harm reduction services at the following locations and hours

• ​​Aids Committee of Durham Region - 115 Simcoe Street South, Oshawa - Monday-Friday 10 am-5 pm, Sun 10 am-3 pm
• The Back Door Mission - 66 Simcoe Street South, Oshawa - Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday 10 am-3pm
• Christian Faith Outreach Centre - 158 Harwood Ave. South, Ajax - Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 9 am-4 pm
• For information on our Harm Reduction services, please contact Kayla harmreduction@aidsdurham.com

Support and education to people living with, affected by or at risk of HIV/AIDS in Durham Region

• volunteer drivers available to drive to medical appointments
• food bank for clients
• financial assistance is possible through wellness fund for urgent medical needs

Education to individuals and community organizations

• HIV and AIDS virus transmission, diagnosis and treatment, safer sex and drug use
• creating safe environments for LGBTQ people
• creating anti-oppression and anti-racism culture

Harm reduction

• needle exchange
• Naloxone distribution

Drop-in centre which supports patients and their families dealing with cancer

• group and one-on-one support for patients, caregivers and family
• information series and seminars on a variety of cancer-related topics
• ongoing programs to help with anxiety and encourage mindfulness, such as guided meditations, yoga and yoga Nidra, the Healing Journey levels and more
• programs for children and teens
• Pediatric Cancer Family Support programs
• variety of programs dealing with survivorship including returning to work, next steps when treatment is over, and fear of recurrence
• grief support for those who have lost a loved one to cancer
• drop-in centre has a lending library, wig boutique and resources for patients and families
• share feelings with compassionate and understanding staff and volunteers

See Calendar for programs and events https://hearthplace.org/calendar/

Alliance of citizens that offers knowledge and tools

• mutual support networks
• public awareness of family disability issues
• educational and other information-sharing initiatives
• coalition with like-minded groups and organizations
• research

COVID19 - Activities by telephone or online

Helps survivors of prostate cancer, as well as those concerned about this disease or newly diagnosed, who are working on decisions about therapy choices, and their families / caregivers

• support, information and counselling
• four public meetings each year feature speakers with special knowledge in related medical fields
• four member group discussion forums
• social event in December,once pandemic restrictions are lifted
• provides information within Durham Region to foster awareness of prostate cancer, with emphasis on early detection as key to survival, along with advice for most effective survival techniques.

After Stroke Program

• peer-led stroke survivor support group
• caregiver support, education and community programs
• social and fun gatherings with peers supporting peers

Advocates for the needs of people living with the effects of brain injury

• support groups meet regularly
• support to family members and caregivers
• resource library with articles and books on brain injuries and related issues
• community supports coordination on an outreach basis
• BIAD Happenings, drop-in activity day service program
• Youth Engagement Services and recreational group

Services and educational programs to promote self-reliance and cultural awareness within the Deaf, deafened, and hard-of-hearing community

American Sign Language (ASL) Instruction

• American Sign Language classes are offered
• there is a fee for this service

Literacy and Basic Skills - Deaf Adult Upgrading Program

• upgrade math, English, reading, writing and computer skills
• classes are taught in American Sign Language

Community Support Services

• assistance with telephone calls, filling out forms, reading correspondence, making appointments, etc

Children's Programs

• integrated recreation program for children, both deaf and hearing, including a number of children and family events, special holiday parties

Public Education Presentations

• provide speakers to visit service clubs, schools, businesses and other organizations to provide information about DDS and the Deaf community

Information and Referral Services

• staff are available to answer inquiries about current and upcoming programs and services, and makes referrals as required

Durham Deaf Club (DDC) and the Oshawa Deaf Senior Citizens (ODSC)

• clubs host social events for members of the Deaf community, and welcome hearing members wanting to become involved in the community

COVID19 - services offered virtually, office closed to public until further notice


Services, products and education that empower the Deaf and hard of hearing to overcome barriers to participation

Hearing Care Counselling Program for ages 55+ -program to develop, maintain, or augment sensory capacity to promote maximum independence

• assessment and support for seniors with hearing loss
• home consultation or virtual visits on coping with hearing loss, communication strategies, use, care and maintenance of hearing aids
• assistance with selecting specialized communication equipment including telephones, alerting devices, TV accessories, etc.
• education and training are also provided to caregivers and service providers such as retirement homes, long-term care homes, etc.

Hearing Help Classes - Sound Advice on Hearing Health Workshops - virtual workshops in a supportive group environment for hard of hearing adults and their significant others

• information on coping with hearing loss and improving communication skills in a variety of listening environments
• information on hearing loss, hearing aids, technical devices
• speech reading and other communication and coping strategies
• classes at various times throughout the year

Employment Services - work with employees and employers to put the right supports in place, employment consultants provide help with:

• career planning
• preparing for interviews
• accessing funds for work-related expenses, such as appropriate clothing or assistive devices, including hearing aids

Sign Language Interpreting Services

• facilitate clear two-way communication between Deaf and hearing people through sign language and spoken language
• interpreters provide communication in American Sign Language (ASL) - English, or la Langue des Signes Québécoise (LSQ) - French
• available on-site or through video remote technology
• interpreters can assist in a variety of settings including: at a job interview, at a medical appointment, in a business meeting, banking matters, reporting a crime, court proceedings, in crisis in a hospital, shelter and police station

Emergency services

• offered 24 hours/day, 7 days/week, 365 days/year
• emergencies may occur in hospital emergency rooms, after-hours medical clinics, crisis centres, shelters, police services, court settings, and child welfare cases

For emergency service email urgent@chs.ca, SMS/Text 416-712-6637, or call 1-866-518-0000

General Support Services - services to support Deaf and hard of hearing people 16 years and older

• guidance, advocacy, support and counselling to Deaf and hard of hearing individuals who need assistance managing everyday life events such as completing government forms, navigating systems, and coping with hearing loss
• includes help with renewing driver's license and health card, navigating government services, attend meetings where additional support is needed

CONNECT Mental Health Counselling - professional support for Deaf and hard of hearing individuals, 16 years and older, who are living with mental health issues or other serious challenges.

• counselling includes (but is not limited to) support in times of stress, marital, family or relationship problems, coping difficulties, addictions, mental health issues
• counsellors are aware of the specific issues and cultures of Deaf, deafened and hard of hearing people and can be a great support

Mutual aid group for ostomy patients and their families

• trained members visit ostomy patients in hospitals and at their homes upon request, with the consent of the physician
• group offers help and support for all 3 types of ostomies colostomy, ileostomy, urostomy

Ostomy Clinic first Thursday of each month at Durham Medical, 242 King St E, Oshawa, 10 am-5 pm, call for appointment 905-728-1112

Ostomy Clinic third Thursday of the month at The Medical Supply Store, 635 Kingston Rd, Pickering, 10 am-2 pm, call for appointment 905-839-6200

Offering virtual and phone appointments

Services available:

• Hepatitis C education and awareness
• Point of Care testing
• Hepatitis C testing and treatment
• clinical and treatment adherence counselling and supports
• case management and advocacy
• specialty liver tests (includes Fibroscans)
• outreach Services
• Naloxone and overdose prevention training-services
• harm reduction, increased awareness through prevention programming and harm reduction services

Support, information and education for persons living with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, their care partners, families and the general public

• services are offered via phone, virtually and in-person at home or in the office
• First Link® program connects clients and families to support and services by accepting self-referrals and referrals from community partners, family physicians and nurse practitioners
• monthly support group meetings for care partners offered in-person and virtually
• dementia education and brain-health presentations and workshops
• training provided for residential facilities, community agencies, students and other community organizations
• resource centre with books, videos and information circulars
• MINT Memory Clinic
• social and recreation programs, including Young Onset Adult Day Program, Minds in Motion® and Brain Wave Cafés
• Dementia-Friendly Communities program provides customer service training for local businesses and others to reduce stigma

Stroke support program

• education, support and encouragement to stroke survivors and their caregivers with peer support focus
• includes Durham Young Stroke Support Group and Oshawa Stroke Support Group

Support group meetings and information about living with Parkinson's disease

Parent support association

• assists parents to meet their child's special needs
• social events for parents and families
• monthly meeting with guest speakers
• monthly eblast newsletter
• information and education for the public

Educational support programming, advocacy and services for individuals and their families living with epilepsy

• Living Well With Epilepsy
• Information and Education
• Thinking About Epilepsy
• A Grade 5 Program
• The Epilepsy Journey • By Seniors For Seniors
• Understanding Epilepsy • From Agency to Community
• Peer-to-peer Network
• Epilepsy At Work • Employment Support

Single service, inter-professional rehabilitation service

• specialized assessment in an outpatient setting for patients who have experienced a stroke, brain injury or other neurological challenges
• patients gain skills, information, receive support to achieve ordinary living

COVID19 - Program held virtually - online, by telephone, and email

Monthly, peer led, polio and post-polio support group meeting

• connect with peers
• exchange information and resources
• learn new skills
• build a social network for support

Programs for children and youth with special needs

• programs in child/youth mental health including support to Talking About Mental Illness (TAMI) Coalition
• learning events
• resource library with books and videos available to clients and the community

Early Learning Inclusion Consultants

• support inclusion and capacity building in early learning and care sector
• enhanced staffing support to licensed child care centres

Coordinated Service Planning

• supports individuals with multiple/complex needs up to 18 years of age and youth between 18 and 21 years of age if still in school
• supports include development and monitoring of service plan, service navigation, team meeting facilitation

FASD (Fetal alcohol Spectrum Disorder) Coordinator - see separate listing

Coordination Services for Children and Youth - see separate listing

​Ontario Autism Program - Urgent Response Services (URS)

• provides time limited, rapid service response for children and youth with Autism
• address a specific behaviour need with focus on preventing further escalation of risk of harm to self, others, and/or property

FASD Coordinators offer

• service navigation, information and service planning for children and youth with FASD or suspected FASD
• a caregiver support group twice per month as a forum for caregivers to discuss the impact of FASD on individual and family, share resources, and offer learning opportunities

FASD Task Group - group of individuals working in the health, social service and education sectors committed to increasing awareness and provide training for professionals in the area of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, FASD -- group on hiatus

Offers a variety of free support groups for people affected by Lupus. Visit website for a full list of groups available. Meetings provide an opportunity exchange of information and to hear speakers. Membership with Lupus Ontario includes regular newsletters and updates.

Support for persons with Myasthenia Gravis (MG) and their caregivers

• information on MG
• quarterly newsletter for members
• social media including Facebook
• education for MG patients, the general public and health care professionals

Support meetings

• four times a year as an educational and social gathering, usually including a speaker, and opportunity for those recently diagnosed to share their experiences
• in-person meetings as well videos, Facebook discussions, Zoom meetings and other social media meetings

Provide a safe, mutually supportive environment so that members can meet and share stories, coping strategies and referral to community resources