a2 newcomers and intellectual disabilites

19482010

Intellectual Disability vs. Learning Disability

• Intellectual Disability: A person may learn new skills at a different rate. It is life long and can affect a person’s emotional, and daily living skills. For example Down Syndrome and Autism

• Learning Disability: A person learns and understands instructions in different ways; therefore the way a teacher teaches needs to be changed or modified to accommodate the person’s learning style.

Research Finding from Various Communities

• Confusion about the difference between mental health issues and intellectual disability

• Families may not acknowledge the presence of disability

• Children with disabilities may be excluded from social gatherings, hidden from the community

• Families may feel marriage prospects of children are compromised by the presence of a person with a disability in the family – points to widespread negative beliefs within the community

Research Finding from Various Communities

• Families may feel that they should take sole responsibility for the provision of care

• There is great value in “keeping face,” (i.e. maintaining strength of character and the position of one’s family) and great possible loss in “losing face” (i.e. seeming weak or bringing shame to one’s family).

• Two major barriers to newcomer families use of support services are (1) lack of knowledge about what services are available, and (2) lack of English language skills/shortage of information in their first language

• Some families may be more comfortable looking outside their ethnic community for help and support.

Community Living and the Developmental Services Sector

• http://www.communitylivingontario.ca/find

Outcome Statements

• Community Living Toronto will outreach to all communities in Toronto so all people who have an intellectual disability and their families will have equal knowledge and access to our services and supports.

• Community Living Toronto staff will have the skills, knowledge and resources to support individuals and families from the various backgrounds and cultures within the City of Toronto

• Children between 0 - 12 years of age who have special needs/extra support needs and live in the city of Toronto.

Early Childhood Services

• Identify a child’s strengths and needs through observation and assessment.

• Develop an Individual Program Plan• Provide teaching strategies for home and community

programs• Monitor and evaluate the IPP • Provide specialized support and consultation

For Children: We encourage the participation of For Children: We encourage the participation of all children in their communityall children in their community

Community Supports includes…

• Support with School issues• Access to funding• Respite Services• Community Connections• Access to professional supports

Community Supports includes

• Mom’s Support Groups• Pilot Parents• Sib Shops• Best Buddies

Additional Community Supports

• Behaviour Services• Foster Drop-In Centre• Home Management• Literacy• Membership• Volunteers

Person Directed Planning

Access to Services and Supports

• Community Living Toronto www.communitylivingtoronto.ca

Our Access numbers: 647-426-3219 (3220)• City Kids www.mothercraft.ca 416-920-6543• Developmental Services of Toronto www.dsto.com • Respite Services www.respiteservices.com • Ontario wide:

http://www.communitylivingontario.ca/find

Government Funding available to families

• Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities Program

• Special Services at Home • Ontario Disability Support Program: Income Supports• Passport Funding

www.mcss.gov.on.ca

United Way of Toronto Commitment to Community Hubs

• UWT’s Building Strong Neighbourhoods Strategy• Hubs are envisioned as a neighbourhood meeting

place with a broad range of services and supports• Community Service Hubs in 8 priority

neighbourhoods across the City• Respond to challenges of social isolation and

poverty, lack of social services and community space• $1 Million for Capital, plus $150,000 for annual

operational expenses

Anchor Organizations

• Community Living Toronto• Family Services Toronto• Better Living Health and Community Services• The Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture• Working Women Community Centre• East Toronto Chinese Baptist Church

Opportunities

• Anchor organizations• Hoteling and Part-time Organizations• Seniors and employment programs, language

classes, after school programs, affordable daycare, sports & recreation, newcomer supports

• Hub to include free computer access, community use of space, evening/weekend access, kitchen programs

• Preliminary Opening November 2010• Full Programs Open by the end of 2010

Welcome to the ConnectABILITY neighbourhood!

http://www.youtube.com/cltoronto www.communitylivingtoronto.ca