Media advisory - Developmental Services focus of all candidates forum on May 24

TORONTO, May 18, 2018 /CNW/ - The Developmental Services sector provides funding to 48,000 people who have an intellectual or developmental disability. Residential support options, daily living supports, as well as employment and community engagement opportunities account for much of the $2.3 billion allocated to the sector every year. Still, many of Ontario's most vulnerable citizens and their families are being left behind because they do not have the proper services and supports to make valued contributions and agencies have seen little increase to their base budgets in nearly ten years. The province of Ontario needs an action plan so that everyone can participate effectively in their community.

What: People who have an intellectual or developmental disability and families from the Greater Toronto Area, representatives from community agencies, and the public will gather in Toronto for a Provincial Election Forum on Developmental Services, where representatives from the four main political parties will discuss how best to address the gaps in funding, supports and services in the Developmental Services sector. The forum will be hosted by Community Living Toronto, Reena, and Community Living Ontario.

Who: Deb Matthews (Ontario Liberal Campaign Chair) and Amara Possian (NDP candidate - Don Valley West) have confirmed their participation in the forum. Representatives from the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party and the Green Party of Ontario have yet to confirm their participation.

When: Wednesday, May 24, 2018 at 7 p.m. EST. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Where: Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, 150 Kilgour Road, Toronto.

Media opportunities: The media is welcome to attend the forum and ask questions of the representatives following the discussion.

About Community Living Toronto:
Since 1948 Community Living Toronto has been a leader in developing community-based services and supports for people with an intellectual disability and their families. One of the largest organizations of its kind in Canada, Community Living Toronto provides services and support to over 4,000 people and their families across Toronto. Our mission is to foster inclusive communities by supporting the rights and choices of people with an intellectual disability. More information: www.cltoronto.ca.

About Reena:
Reena promotes dignity, individuality, independence, personal growth and community inclusion for people with developmental disabilities within a framework of Jewish culture and values. Reena was established in 1973 by parents of children with developmental disabilities as a practical alternative to institutions. Since that time Reena has grown to provide support for 1,000 individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. More information: www.reena.org.

About Community Living Ontario:
Community Living Ontario is a family-based association assisting people who have an intellectual disability and their families to lead the way in advancing inclusion in their lives and in their communities. We represent more than 12,000 people, families and over 100 member organizations across the province. More information: www.communitylivingontario.ca.

About Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital:
Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital creates a world of possibility by supporting children and youth living with disability, medical complexity, illness and injury. Holland Bloorview is a top 40 Canadian research hospital that is fully affiliated with the University of Toronto and serves 7,500 families annually. Providing both inpatient and outpatient services, Holland Bloorview is renowned for its expertise in partnering with clients and families to provide exceptional care. Holland Bloorview is the only organization to ever achieve 100 per cent in two successive quality surveys by Accreditation Canada. For more information or to donate, please visit hollandbloorview.ca or connect on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and the parent-blog BLOOM.

SOURCE Community Living Toronto

Matthew Poirier, Manager of Policy and Stakeholder Relations for Community Living Toronto, M: 416-319-7016, [email protected].