To learn more about people with intellectual disabilities from a social policy perspective, we highly recommend the Canadian Association for Community Living (CACL).

At the provincial level, see Community Living Ontario. As affiliate members of this federation, we make frequent use of their analysis of policy and announcements from the Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services (MCSS). MCSS is responsible for the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) which provides income support and also offers employment support to people with disabilities.

MCSS establishes the policies and provides most of the funding in the sector known as Developmental Services (Community Living Hanover) receives funding from MCSS in support of certain housing, employment, and community participation activities). Below are links to the Act and Regulation legislation that govern Developmental Services.

• About the Services and Supports to Promote the Social Inclusion of Persons with Developmental Disabilities Act, 2008
• A guide to the Regulation on Quality Assurance Measures

If you are hoping for government-funded supports and services for a person with intellectual disabilities in the Hanover area sooner or later all roads will lead to Developmental Services Ontario South West Region (DSOSWR). Before CL Hanover can provide any MCSS-funded support or service to you, the DSOSWR process must be completed.

Dealing with all of these acronyms and bureaucracies can be exhausting and overwhelming, and getting help from a service provider like CL Hanover to navigate them is often only a part of what individuals and families need.

The Accessibility for Ontarians Accessibility Act of 2005 lays the framework for the development of province-wide mandatory standards on accessibility in all areas of daily life. Issues of enforcement aside, just like the UNCRPD it elaborates useful principles for education and advocacy.

Sadly, the information we gather in Canada about people with intellectual disabilities is very basic and currently outdated by some 15 years. The 2011 World Health Organization World Report On Disability offers some relevant information and insights that are highly applicable to Canada