Community Living Ontario is a non-profit, provincial association that advocates for people who have an intellectual disability to be fully included in all aspects of community life.
The goal of Community Living Ontario is:
That all persons live in a state of dignity, share in all elements of living in the community, and have the opportunity to participate effectively.
Community Living Ontario envisions a society where people who have an intellectual disability belong and feel respected.
This means that people who have an intellectual disability:
live in neighbourhoods of choice
go to neighbourhood schools
work at real jobs for real pay
participate and contribute through volunteer, recreation and leisure activities
are valued citizens
As a provincial association Community Living Ontario:
has over 12,000 members across the province
represents 117 local Community Living associations across Ontario
Local Community Living associations offer services to people who have an intellectual disability. Local associations:
support children and/or adults to live, learn, work in the community
help communities welcome and include people
advocate for changes so that people have better community lives
Community Living Ontario was started in 1953. We began with families who wanted the right for their children who had an intellectual disability to attend neighbourhood schools.
Since then, the size and focus of this organization has increased considerably.
Our work has moved well beyond the right to an education. We now work with communities to include people who have an intellectual disability in all aspects of community life.
