What other resources are available to me?
While you are waiting for your ministry-funded services to become available, you may also want to research other local community resources, programs and activities. Try connecting with your local recreation centre, private recreation providers, seniors’ centres and non-profit organizations that offer a variety of programs and activities for adults with special needs and seniors. Many of these programs are geared to meet the interests and abilities of all participants.
Where to look for a program?
Below are some ways to find a recreation program that may meet your needs:
• Look up activities happening at local municipal parks, community and non-profit organizations.
• Find adult continuing education classes and recreation guides.
• Talk to friends and family about what activities are available in your community.
• Search for information fairs and special events in your community.
• If you’re a senior, contact your local senior centre.
• Call 211 Helpline Ontario or visit 211ontario.ca
Ask yourself these questions to see if the program is right for you.
• What kind of supports will I need to be successful?
• What are some of the activities I have done in the past and enjoyed?
• What have I always wanted to do?
• What are my recreation goals? Before you sign up for the program, ask the program coordinator these questions to see if the program suits your needs.
• What is the program’s philosophy?
• How does the program ensure the safety and security of its participants?
Tips
• Programs fill up quickly so start your search early!
• Attend the program orientation or request to meet the instructor.
• Prepare yourself for the start of the program (buy equipment, supplies, etc.).
• How am I going to get there? (look up transit routes, find shared rides)
Here’s a list of some provincial organizations that may be able to help you connect with more local resources:
211 Ontario
Helps you find information about programs and services in your community.
Autism Ontario
Helps you find information about autism and the day-to-day issues faced by individuals with autism, their families, and the professionals with whom they interact.
Community Living Ontario
Helps you and your family to lead the way in advancing inclusion in your lives and community.
Connectability
Helps you find fee-for-service resources in your community.
Health811
Health811 can securely connect you to a registered nurse for free day or night. Simply call 811 and receive secure and confidential health advice. No health card required.
IF Library
The Individualized Funding Library is a website to help you learn how to find and use your Individualized Funding.
Karis Disability Services (formerly Christian Horizons)
Helps people with developmental disabilities accomplish their goals and thrive in communities.
MyCommunityHub
Allows you to register and pay for activities, classes, programs, workshops, respite and camps offered by developmental service agencies in Ontario.
Ontario Care Giver Organization
Provides free services and supports for caregivers across Ontario, including counselling, working groups, peer support, online support, and more.
Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
Provides you with financial assistance.
Ontario March of Dimes Strategic Employment Solutions
Provides you with employment opportunities.
Microboards Ontario
A Microboard is a group of committed family and friends who join with a person with a developmental disability to create a supportive not-for-profit corporation.
Ontario Health at Home
Coordinates in-home and community-based care for patients across Ontario.
P4P Planning Network
Provides free resources designed to empower you, your family and caregiver(s).
Respite Now
A free app that matches people looking for respite services with local respite workers.
Special Olympics Ontario
Helps you enrich your life through sport.
thehealthline.ca
Helps you find local health and community services.
Organizations that would like to be added to this list must be non-profit or government funded and serve or provide community resources to adults with developmental disabilities across Ontario. Contact us at info@dsontario.ca to get added to this list.
Your Area DSO Resources
Your DSO can help you define your initial goals when you complete your application package. This includes talking about resources that may be available in your community to support those next steps. You could also connect to recreation and senior centres, parks, churches, libraries, non-profit organizations, homes, and housing. Search for activities, information fairs, and special events in your community.
DSO Central West Region
Halton:
COAST (Crisis Outreach and Support Team)
Halton Region Physical Activities
Peel/Dufferin:
City of Mississauga Adapted Programs
City of Brampton Inclusion Programs
Waterloo:
City of Kitchener free and nearly free recreation
Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Waterloo Wellington
CMHA Self-Help and Peer Support Calendar
Health Caring KW Events Calendar (open to the community)
Waterloo Region Family Network
Open Spaces Program facilitated by Extend-A-Family
Buddy Choir - Bridges to Belonging Waterloo Region
Wellington:
Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Waterloo Wellington
Self-Help and Peer Support Calendar
Guelph Wellington Family Network
Community Resource Centre serves Centre Wellington, Wellington North, Minto and Mapleton
DSO Hamilton-Niagara Region
COAST (Crisis Outreach and Support Team)
Human Care Enhanced by Technology
Contact Hamilton Passport Funding Program
Family Services Toronto Passport ONE
DSO South West Region
Windsor/Essex:
Community Living Essex County on My Community Hub
Miracle League Baseball Amherstburg
Interabled Basketball with ABODE Respite
Oxford:
Community Living Tillsonburg- Events
Fusion Youth Centre Casual Drop-in Program
VON at Fusion Centre Senior Program 55+
Drop-in Activities in Woodstock
Drop-in Activities in Tillsonburg
Elgin:
ACCESS Drop-in – Elgin, Aylmer
DSO East Region
Your area DSO works with a variety of ministry-funded agencies across the province to help connect you to services and supports. To find out what agencies they partner with in your community please visit Funded services | DSO and click on your area.
Request to add a Resource to 'Your Area DSO Resources'
If you wish for a non-profit community-based program or service to be added as a resource on the section above, please submit the form below: