Centre for Independent Living in Toronto

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Centre for Independent Living in Toronto
Formation1984
HeadquartersToronto
Executive Director
Wendy Porch
Websitehttps://www.cilt.ca/

The Centre for Independent Living in Toronto (CILT) is a not for profit organization that supports people with disabilities and addictions.[1] In 1993, CILT advocated to the Government of Ontario for financial support. The aim was to provide support to people with disabilities to pay for their own home care.[2] By 2012, their advocacy succeeded and they were given responsibility for administering such a system.[3] In the early 21st century CILT advocated against ableism and for better support for people with disabilities and improved access to COVID-19 vaccines.[4][5]

History and activities[edit]

CILT was founded in 1984.[1]

In 1993, CILT Executive Director Vic Willey advocated that governments provide funding needed for home care services to people with disabilities.[2]

In 2012, CILT started managing a $1.7 million per annum government-funded program called the Self-Managed Attendance Program. The program initiated a new way of support people with disabilities by giving them the funds needed to hire home care.[3]

CILT hosts the Parenting with a Disability Network.[6][7]

In 2019, CILT co-sponsored a campaign to draw attention to the way in which people with disabilities are excluded from common activities.[8][4]

In 2021, CILT's executive director became the inaugural chair of the Toronto Accessibility Task Force on COVID-19.[5]

CILT's paper "CILT: Empowerment and Independent Living" is cited in Dustin Gale's 2018 book Working Towards Equity Disability Rights Activism and Employment in Late Twentieth-century Canada.[9]

People[edit]

  • Wendy Porch, executive director[10][4]
  • Ian Parker, senior adviser[11]
  • Sandra Carpenter, former executive director[1]
  • Ing Wong-Ward, former associate director[12][13]
  • Vic Willey, former executive director[2]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Ferenc, Leslie (2013-11-27). "Giving parents with disabilities the right abilities: United Way". The Toronto Star. ISSN 0319-0781. Retrieved 2021-12-13.
  2. ^ a b c Lord, John; Peggy, Hutchinson (2007). Pathways to Inclusion - Building a New Story with People and Communities. Captus Press. p. 113. ISBN 9781553221654.
  3. ^ a b Aubrecht, Katie; Kelly, Christine; Rice, Carla (2020). The Aging–Disability Nexus. UBC Press. pp. 97–99. ISBN 9780774863704.
  4. ^ a b c Gupta, Rahul (2019-05-01). "Toronto accessibility campaign calls for removal of barriers". Toronto.com. Retrieved 2021-12-13.
  5. ^ a b Sarrouh, Maria (2021-07-08). "New program helps people with autism overcome barriers in accessing COVID-19 vaccines". The Toronto Star. ISSN 0319-0781. Retrieved 2021-12-13.
  6. ^ "Why parents with disabilities often become advocates for themselves — and their kids". CBC. 29 March 2019.
  7. ^ Brosnahan, Maureen (2 May 2012). "Parents with disabilities want support, not stigma". CBC.
  8. ^ Rody, Bree (May 1, 2019). "Spotted! An ad that puts you on the outside". Media of Canada. Retrieved 2021-12-13.
  9. ^ Galer, Dustin (2018). Working Towards Equity Disability Rights Activism and Employment in Late Twentieth-century Canada. University of Toronto Press. p. 244. ISBN 9781487521301.
  10. ^ Kennedy, Brendan (2021-05-01). "People with disabilities face confusion and other barriers to getting COVID-19 vaccines. A task force is". The Toronto Star. ISSN 0319-0781. Retrieved 2021-12-13.
  11. ^ Spurr, Ben (2016-11-21). "Bike lanes eyed as loading zones for those aiding the disabled". The Toronto Star. ISSN 0319-0781. Retrieved 2021-12-13.
  12. ^ "'A mighty force has left us': CBC journalist and disabilities advocate Ing Wong-Ward dead at 46". CBC. 6 July 2019.
  13. ^ Lee-Shanok, Philip (9 Dec 2016). "'More and more people' looking for barrier-free homes, Toronto real estate agent says". CBC.

External links[edit]