Community Participation Supports and Passport

What are community participation supports?

If an adult with a developmental disability wants to become more involved in their community, their Developmental Services Ontario agency can help by putting them in touch with community participation supports. These supports can be delivered one-on-one or in groups and include things like

• enjoying social, fun or spiritual activities: playing sports, getting involved with a house of worship, trying a hobby or community activity, meeting with other adults who have similar needs and interests as part of a group program in the community;
• developing self-help skills: getting help with things like learning to brush teeth, get dressed, ride the bus and go shopping in order to become more independent;
• continuing to learn after high school: taking a course, volunteering, using public libraries or participating in activities at a community centre;
• volunteering or preparing for a job: practising work-related tasks or skills to succeed at work or as a volunteer.

What is Passport? Funding for Community Participation Supports

• People can also apply for direct funding for community participation supports. This option gives people funding to pay for activities that encourage personal development―helping participants be the best they can be. This can include supports that ease the transition from school to life as an adult in the community,
• help them develop independence,
• build social, emotional and community-participation skills,
• encourage learning and personal development.

People can choose their own activities and use direct funding to pay for them directly, or they can use the money to pay community agencies that provide community participation supports.

Changes to Special Services at Home for Adults

Starting April 1, 2012, Special Services At Home for adults is being "merged" with the Passport program. Direct funding for adults with a developmental disability is available through Passport. SSAH no longer serves adults with a developmental disability; it is now a program for children only. For more information on these changes, please click here.