Organize DS

11/17/2021

Three years ago, the provincial government revamped the Ontario Autism Program and created a new needs-based program. So far, only 600 participants are enrolled in the new program and more than 50,000 others are on the waiting list.

I have the same foreboding feeling about the province’s recently announced plan to reform Developmental Services (DS).

Three years after a revamp to the Ontario Autism Program was promised to improve access, families say they're losing faith in the province, and share stories of how long wait lists and limited funding for a needs-based program are affecting them.

11/05/2021

Developmental Service agencies across Ontario continue to eliminate Day Programs. The latest casualty is Community Living Oshawa/Clarington. Please add your voice to the effort to protect this valuable service.

Caregivers of adults with developmental disabilities, community members, and developmental services workers are concerned and angered by the abrupt closure of day programs by Community Living Oshawa/Clarington.

10/29/2021

The provincial government has announced an extension of "Pandemic Pay" - the $3 / hour temporary wage increase for eligible workers providing home and community care, long-term care, and personal direct support services to those who need assistance with the activities of daily living.

Although intended to acknowledge the value of this work and although needed in order to retain the necessary workers in these fields, doesn't it actually highlight underfunding and low wages in previously ignored and undervalued work?

Ontario Extending Temporary Wage Enhancement for Personal Support Workers | Ontario Newsroom

10/18/2021

The provincial government is developing a plan to reform Developmental Services (DS). Remember the reform of programs and supports for people with Autism? It resulted in a province-wide outcry from families amid mass confusion.

The DS plan has lots of words about improved services but not much about improved funding or working conditions for the workers who provide these crucially important services. Without real and necessary investments, how will services actually improve?

Learn how the ministry is working with its partners on a long-term vision for developmental services where people with developmental disabilities fully belong in their communities and are supported to live the lives they choose. See the easy read version of the Developmental Services reform plan.

10/12/2021

How many "We're still frontline heroes" signs can you find in Kitchener-Waterloo? 🤔

They're out there and here's what they look like.

Thanks so much to all the KW residents who agreed to have these lawn signs posted this month to honour and acknowledge the tremendous work of KW-Habilitation employees who support adults with disabilities.

10/10/2021

This Thanksgiving weekend, neighbours of the residences supported by Kitchener-Waterloo Habilitation workers are helping us show some gratitude for these workers who are still frontline heroes.

Much thanks to the neighbours of these 20+ residences for honouring the valuable work of Developmental Support Workers!

With these workers' support, adults with disabilities live in communities where they participate in meaningful ways.

10/08/2021

We love hearing from you!

We hope our new page "Organize_DS" provides space to honour the valuable work of Developmental Support (DS) workers. Some DS workers are unionized, some are not.

We hope this page provides space to pull together all DS Workers and advocates across Ontario to create more organized support for expanding & improving these crucial services for people with disabilities.

Welcome to our new page and thanks very much for your patience and input while we continue to develop it.