Centre for Independent Living in Toronto - CILT Inc.

09/02/2026

🚨 Canada is rewriting its National Housing Strategy right now.

We're calling on the federal government to align the new National Housing Strategy with the commitments made under our country's own right-to-housing law, so we can:

- Save lives by reducing homelessness,
- Reduce government expense on shelters, hospitals, and prisons,
- Create a system that supports people through financial hardship,
- Prevent individuals and families from losing their homes
- Ensure that safe, affordable, and accessible housing is available

We may not get another opportunity like this for a decade. The federal government must embed human rights into our national housing policy. Let’s make sure it does.

👉 Send a letter today: https://housingrights.ca/make-the-new-national-housing-strategy-follow-the-law/

09/02/2026

Thank you to everyone who applied for the CILT Awards! We got plenty of applications across all streams and recipients will be announced later this month.

CILT is privileged to recognize disabled people for their outstanding contributions in promoting and embodying the Independent Living philosophy.

08/31/2026

JUST 2 DAYS remain before our September 1st deadline for submissions for 3 of our annual awards!

The Helen Henderson Literary Award: https://tinyurl.com/4ybeaer7
This award is granted to an individual who has produced an outstanding piece of writing related to raising public awareness of a disability issue or barrier.

The Vic Willi Legacy Award for Youth: https://tinyurl.com/4y4j4dc8
This award is presented annually as part of CILT’s commitment to honouring Vic Willi and supporting the development of young disabled leaders in Canada.

The Sandra Carpenter Award for Artists: https://tinyurl.com/2yhmrxxr
This award recognizes and celebrates a disabled artist whose work reflects creativity, originality, and a commitment to the values of Independent Living.

Please consider applying it you fit any of the criteria, and/or circulate our notice to disabled writers, artists or youth leaders whose work you feel is worthy of being celebrated! 🎨 📗📣

08/26/2026

Just a few more days to apply as the CILT Awards submissions close on September 1, 2026. Submit your application now or share this with someone that might be interested!

08/21/2026

At yesterday's "Have Your Say: Help Shape Disability Inclusion in Toronto 2026 Election," CILT & GTA Disability Coalition partners engaged about 60 disabled and Deaf voters, their allies and supporters.

Participants built knowledge on platform priorities that matter to them- whether on disability poverty, inaccessible housing or barrier-free transit! They then joined minds in breakout rooms to shape election action calls they’re qualified to tell candidates seeking their vote, to include on their platforms!

Thank You Shouts to our partners and event presenters, especially Social Planning Toronto and TTCriders.ca, for raising awareness of policy and advocacy solutions grounded in human rights. Many thanks also to Toronto Elections for sharing hands on information on accessible voting processes and new changes.

Next week, we will be sharing on our socials, a YouTube link to the event recording and links to the presentation decks. Watch for those!

City For All

This event was supported through generous funding from United Way Greater Toronto City of Toronto and Independent Living Canada / Vie autonome Canada

ALT Description of photo 1: A Zoom screen. At top of screen are 4 video tiles showing heads of people. Below this is a PowerPoint Slide with a photo of a group of about 12 TTCriders reps standing on a sidewalk, most holding protest signs showing support for transit. Across the screen bottom is the red TTCriders banner with TTCriders logo, TTCriders.ca and www.ttcriders.ca

08/21/2026

Direct Funding allowed Marilyn’s husband to return to work as her attendants spoke her language and understood her unique situation.

“I can express myself clearly, maybe just through one or two words, and they would understand.”

For more information about Direct Funding and how you can take control of your life, check out the CILT website or link in: https://cilt.ca/programs-and-services/direct-funding/

08/20/2026

CILT is accepting applications to join the Board of Directors until September 4! Help CILT to empower people with disabilities to live independently and take control of their own lives.

Check out the website for more information on how to apply or the link in bio: https://cilt.ca/join-cilts-board-of-directors-seeking-committed-individuals-to-champion-independent-living-principles-for-people-with-disabilities-2/

08/20/2026

It's 90 minutes from our virtual HAVE YOUR SAY election forum in partnership with the GTA Disability Coalition! There's still time to register if you're interested and able to attend!
1PM -3PM on Zoom. Link to register:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/ao2xB-OhR725o7yKq_LMww?fbclid=IwY2xjawTn-XJwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMUNrcVVPS2FISDdEYjN5MFhzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEejJOesqpuPzeNJkLhfOG45zPgBg_tflgD8B9h4326TunInbzPWN8XeWgOJZo_aem_grMCI377kVQlVa__nB_6hg #/registration

Centre for Independent Living in Toronto - CILT Inc. and GTA Disability Coalition Present

Have Your Say: Shape Disability Inclusion in City of Toronto’s 2026 Election

When: Thursday August 20, 1:00pm – 3:00pm EST
Where: Online (Zoom)

Featuring presentations by:
Social Planning Toronto, TTCriders, and Toronto Elections

By bringing together partners who are engaged in the City of Toronto’s 2026 election, our event will provide a non-partisan platform for disability community members, allies, and organizations to participate in the City of Toronto 2026 election through an intersectional disability and accessibility lens.

This event will review the city election process including accessible voting options, how to find local candidates, and issues that matter most to cross-disability communities during this election cycle. Attendees will engage in discussions about speaking points and questions for candidates as well as share ideas about how to utilize the City for All platform.

This is a registered event and spaces are limited. Please sign up using this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/ao2xB-OhR725o7yKq_LMww

Access: ASL-English interpretation, CART and a live notetaker will be available. There will be designated support during the event and follow up resources will be provided in accessible formats.

If you require assistance signing up, please contact Robin Simmons at [email protected]

For more info about our work, please visit GTADC.ca and CILT.ca.

08/18/2026

Just 2 DAYS from our HAVE YOUR SAY election forum.
Join and help shape candidate platform priorities that include disabled and Deaf folks.
We're still taking registrations! Sign up through link in notice below.👇🏾

GTA Disability Coalition Social Planning Toronto TTCriders.ca

Centre for Independent Living in Toronto - CILT Inc. and GTA Disability Coalition Present

Have Your Say: Shape Disability Inclusion in City of Toronto’s 2026 Election

When: Thursday August 20, 1:00pm – 3:00pm EST
Where: Online (Zoom)

Featuring presentations by:
Social Planning Toronto, TTCriders, and Toronto Elections

By bringing together partners who are engaged in the City of Toronto’s 2026 election, our event will provide a non-partisan platform for disability community members, allies, and organizations to participate in the City of Toronto 2026 election through an intersectional disability and accessibility lens.

This event will review the city election process including accessible voting options, how to find local candidates, and issues that matter most to cross-disability communities during this election cycle. Attendees will engage in discussions about speaking points and questions for candidates as well as share ideas about how to utilize the City for All platform.

This is a registered event and spaces are limited. Please sign up using this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/ao2xB-OhR725o7yKq_LMww

Access: ASL-English interpretation, CART and a live notetaker will be available. There will be designated support during the event and follow up resources will be provided in accessible formats.

If you require assistance signing up, please contact Robin Simmons at [email protected]

For more info about our work, please visit GTADC.ca and CILT.ca.

08/18/2026

LET IT BE OVER.
"It’s time to wind down the collection of pandemic benefits from Canada’s poorest and most marginalized residents."

John Stapleton and MacGregor Goodman
Published on August 18, 2026
Maytree.com

Canada’s pandemic benefits were designed for speed, not precision. That was appropriate in a crisis, but it also meant that many people applied in good faith, based on unclear guidance and changing eligibility rules. Years later, the federal government is still pursuing repayment from many of those same people, even when they have little or no ability to pay.

https://maytree.com/publications/let-it-be-over/?mc_cid=f4ed7c1912&mc_eid=c920deee18

It’s time to wind down the collection of pandemic benefits from Canada’s poorest and most marginalized residents Canada’s pandemic benefits were designed for speed, not precision. That was appropriate in a crisis, but it also meant that many people applied in good faith, based on unclear guida...