Searching for Sport For People With Disabilites

Jewish community centre and hub in culturally sensitive environment; programs for children, youth, adults, and families; community-based Inclusion Services; visit website for program schedule

• fitness and health programs, including swimming, personal training and classes
• recreation and art programs
• health and mental health workshops
• trips and tours
• child care and preschool, see separate listing

COVID19 -- for COVID service updates, call or visit website


Support and friendship programs for individuals with special needs and their families and caregivers

Friends@Home pairs teenage volunteers with children and youth with special needs for weekly home visits

Recreation

• Mom's Night Out
• Sunday Circle -- respite for caregivers while children, youth and young adults with special needs enjoy inclusive recreation program
• buddy baseball
• education and awareness
• Jewish holiday events

Community centre includes fitness and recreation, nursery school and licensed child care, day camp and after school programs, and arthritis education program

Cultural, social, education and recreation programs

• health and fitness
• open registration social clubs
• hobby groups
• performing and nonperforming arts
• seniors club
• holiday events

Fitness, recreation and social programs for singles, families, persons with physical and developmental disabilities

• Multiple Sclerosis Support and Fitness Group
• Stroke Recovery Group
• Parkinson's Support Group

COVID19

• visit website for list of current changes and closures including visiting policies
• expanded virtual programming

Pediatric rehabilitation and complex continuing care hospital

Inpatient Services

• brain injury rehabilitation
• specialized orthopedic and developmental rehabilitation (SODR)
• complex continuing care

Outpatient Services

• augmentative and alternative communication; writing aids service
• autism diagnosis and treatment services
• brain injury rehabilitation, concussion centre
• cleft lip and palate/craniofacial service
• clinical seating
• creative arts and music therapy
• dental clinic - by referral by physician or dentist only
• Get Up and Go - pediatric pain service
• feeding
• orthotics, prosthetics and myoelectrics
• respite
• snoezelen rooms for inpatients and the community
• spina bifida and spinal cord services
• swim programs
• therapeutic recreation and life skills
• youth engagement and employment programs

Early Learning and Development

• infant and child development consultation and early intervention
• consultative support to childcare centres on programming, occupational therapy and school transitions
• 2 nursery schools -- see separate entries

Adult Services

• orthotics
• prosthetics and myoelectrics
• swim programs

Programs, services, support and assistance for Canadians living with a disability * most services and programs administered by provincial Easter Seals * includes:

• assistive and adaptive technology - financial assistance and direct programs to ensure Canadians with disability have access to essential technology
• education and training - includes employment training and services, scholarships and bursaries and life skills programs
• sport, recreation and leisure programs - includes activities such as sledge hockey, wheelchair basketball, swimming and more
• rehabilitative and occupational therapy
• residential and respite programs - available in Vancouver, Edmonton and Montreal
• summer camps - 14 specialized camps across Canada for children
  

Disability Travel Card - Program for people with a permanent disability which offers a discounted ticket for their support person when traveling with Via Rail Canada, and Coach Canada

Access 2 Program - Program for people with a permanent disability which offers free admission for their support person to movie theatres, cultural attractions and recreation facilities

Community Hub programming for parents and children and youth through traditional media and the use of technology

Programs include:

• accessible technology training
• advocacy resources
• child and youth programming
• peer support sessions
• cultural specific programming and resources
• recreational activities
• sports activities

Services and Programs:

• Canadian National Institute for the Blind - Come To Work

Advocates and promotes respect, acceptance, inclusion and human dignity for people with intellectual disabilities through sports

Sports training recreational and competitive programs * basketball, bocce, bowling, curling, floor hockey, golf, powerlifting, rhythmic gymnastics, skating (speed and figure), skiing (nordic and alpine), snowshoeing, soccer, softball, swimming, track and field * coach training * volunteer instruction * competition on local, provincial, national and international basis

COVID-19 -- check website for information and updates on how facilities and programs may be affected by current public health situation; proof of vaccination and capacity limits have been lifted but face mask requirement remains in place for most services


Inclusion programs for those with special needs

• sledge hockey instructional program to build skills and team work; sledges provided, regular hockey gear required
• volt hockey, accessible hockey played using specially designed sport chair; for those with limited upper body mobility
• wheelchair basketball
• swimming and aquatics
• camps and special events
• opportunity to try any inclusion sport program before registering

Hockey for individuals with a developmental disability

Divided by skill level not age or gender

Cultural, social, education and recreation programs for all ages and abilities

• Jewish Life Programs
• referrals and support
• adult cultural arts

Preschool and childcare -- day camp and school's out PD day and after school programs

Health and fitness programs

• group exercise, personal training
• swimming, massage and nutrition
• salt-water pool and full aquatics program

Therapeutic and specialized fitness programs -- wellness and cultural activities, daytime cultural programs

Programs for persons with physical and developmental disabilities

• assessment and programs to improve functional mobility, fall prevention, daily life activities (e.g. navigating apartment, accessing neighbourhood)
• friendly phone calls

Athletic and Recreational programs for all age groups

Partners for Access and Identification (PAID) project -- assistance in obtaining vital identification

Disabilities programs -- swim and social programs, including volunteer assistants for youth and adults with physical or developmental disabilities

Seniors program -- weekly social and recreational activities

Urban agriculture

• community garden, greenhouse, composting, workshops
• nutrition program and community kitchen
• food access program
• rental space for public use
• seasonal income tax clinic
• special events and festivals
• rental markets for vendors
• entrepreneurship programs

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

Programs include:

• recreation, arts, sports and fitness activities for all ages
• caregiver and child programs
• after school programs
• summer and school break camps
• adapted programs for people with disabilities and special needs
• adapted swimming pools
• Parks, gardens and beaches programs
• help with establishing community gardens
• golf courses and sports facilities on a user pay basis

• Toronto Island ferry - 416-392-8193
• Picnic permit required for groups of 25 or more 416-392-8188

COVID19 -- Consult website for service updates during COVID


Offers ski and snowboard instruction to children and youth with disabilities

Administrative office is located in Etobicoke but lessons are conducted at several ski hills all over Ontario

Offers people with disabilities an opportunity to ski and snowboard with support of trained volunteers and adaptive equipment

• programs located across Ontario
• Learn to Race Program - for those who are more independent and have a need for speed
• volunteers constantly needed to help support on the ski hill, with program administration and on Board of Directors

Programs held at:

• Sault Ste Marie (Searchmont), Haliburton (Sir Sam's), Barrie (The Heights), Barrie (Snow Valley), Caledon (CSC), and Oshawa, (Brimacombe)
• Learn to Race Program is offered at Craigleith Ski Club in Collingwood.

Organization providing wheelchair dance programs including subsidized social ballroom and latin dance classes

Wheelchair Dance Programs

• subsidized social ballroom and Latin dance classes
• performance and competition opportunities
• wheelchair dance socials, outings, and fundraisers
• group classes held in fully accessible facilities including rehabiliation facilities, community centres, long-term care facilities, and physiotherapy clinics

General interest community programs

• social, education, cultural and recreation programs for all ages, including fitness, health and lifestyles
• information and referral

Child and Family programs

• EarlyON Child and Family Centre
• education and support to parents and care providers
• caregiver and child drop-in, parent relief
• toy lending library
• parenting resource library
• integrated licensed nursery school program for children with disabilities
• preschool programs
• licensed community nursery school (September to June)

Active and Able Network -- for persons with disabilities

• drop-in program. trips
• social and recreation activities
• health and wellness program
• information and referral
• advocacy

Youth programs --

• peer 2 peer program
• youth employment skills strategy program
• access to computers, Internet, fax, photocopier
• workshops and presentations
• leadership programs
• recreational arts programs
• advocacy
• after school program
• youth summer program
• youth advisory council
• community involvement
• community affirming mentorship program -- safe and supportive space for 2SLGBTQIA identifying youth

Seniors program -- health and fitness

• drop-ins, trips
• social and recreation activities
• outreach
• information and referral
• cooking and nutrition

Fitness and wellness -- health and fitness

• multiple classes for various fitness levels
• land and aquatic classes

Family-friendly sports, fitness and life skills facility for people of all ages and abilities

• integrated programming including group fitness classes, personal training, children's and seniors' programs, recreational use
• indoor track, sports courts, cardio/weight room, aquatics centre
• spring, summer, PA day and holiday camps: integrated full-day camps for people 4-20 years
• sport training and facility rentals
• CPR/first aid/AED trained staff

Programs and Services

• membership, financial subsidies
• leadership skills and training, certifications
• awareness and outreach programs
• adapted physical education classes for community groups and school boards
• volunteer and cooperative educational opportunities

Sports Teams www.varietyvillage.ca/sports/sports-teams/

• grassroots to International level
• Flames - Integrated Competitive Swim Team
• Sunshine Swim Team (part of Special Olympics Ontario and Swim Ontario)
• Taekwondo, Track & Field, VOLT Hockey, Wheelchair Basketball, Weightlifting

LINKS and Milestones

• day programs for adults 20 years or older with a disability
• sports, recreation
• life skills
• job training

Events and Initiatives - see upcoming events, varietyontario.ca/local-events

• year-round community events
• fundraising and third-party initiatives
• corporate volunteering experiences

Variety Village is the flagship project of Variety - the Children's Charity (Ontario)

Provides older adults (55+) in Ontario with an opportunity to:

• increase their social interaction with others,
• increase their physical and mental well-being,
• maintain and enhance their psychological and physiological well-being through participation in recreational activities and sports.

Goals

• enhance the opportunity for seniors to expand and develop their social interaction,
• provide an environment that stimulates physical activity,
• provide an environment conducive to mental development,
• increase participation in recreational activities, and
• facilitate more cooperation and communication between older adult groups within the Province of Ontario.

Objectives

• ensure that activities are conducive to an environment for social interaction;
• have appropriate recreational and sports activities so that the older adult is able to meet new people and establish new relationships;
• encourage social activities in the form of banquets, luncheons, dinners, dances and more that will stimulate social interaction;
• establish an environment that reflects current trends in sport, fitness, and cultural and artistic activities;
• promote any innovative physical activity for the older adult through appropriate administrative governing bodies in fitness and sport;
• promote improved fitness levels;
• promote activities that reflect the current needs of the older adult in relation to their mental well-being;
• demonstrate that older adults can remain active;
• encourage increased participation on an ongoing basis; and
• promote active living among older adults in Ontario.

Active living, sports and recreational opportunities

COVID19 -- Program suspended - may start in September 2022

Adapted swim program for children with special needs, to encourage safety as well as fun

• each child is assisted by a volunteer on a one-to-one basis
• 15 minute instruction time at each class, followed by practise and play time in the water

Ice hockey league for children and adults with developmental challenges

This local branch of Special Olympics Ontario provides sports activities for athletes with intellectual disabilities in the area. Activities include a variety of indoor and outdoor sports including bowling, basketball, soccer, softball, and bocce. Active Start and Fundamentals are offered for ages 2-6 and 7-12.

New sports may be added depending on volunteer availability.

Athletes participate at local, district, provincial, national and world levels.

Community Hub for all ages and abilities to engage in social, health and cultural programs

• 125,000 sq ft facility, three full basketball courts, 200 meter, five-lane track
• fully equipped and universally accessible cardio/fitness and weight rooms
• opportunities for physical activities for people of all ages and abilities
• arts, life skills and research opportunities to enhance the quality of life for everyone