In 2005, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) was enacted to make Ontario completely accessible by 2025. The Act consists of five standards that require all organizations to identify, remove and prevent barriers for people with disabilities in key areas of daily living. Barriers keep people with disabilities from fully participating in activities that most of us take for granted. The Customer Service Standard is the first standard to come into effect under the AODA.

Starting this summer all new volunteers we will provided with a brief training that will explain what the Customer Service Standard is and what we have to do to comply with it. It will also provide some tips on how to effectively and respectfully assist the people we support.

At Community Living Toronto, we are lucky to have volunteers who are dedicated to removing or even eliminating barriers, including some misconceptions around disabilities, which prevent people we support from fully enjoying their communities. Learning more about the Act is just one more thing that will help us raise awareness around mandatory accessibility standards that will soon make Ontario the most respectful and accommodating place to live.

The training is also available to our long standing volunteers. Just contact you regional volunteer coordinator and they will gladly provide it to you in a format you prefer.

Volunteer led cooking class a huge success!

To highlight some of the amazing work that our volunteers have been doing over the summer, we’d like to share that our Summer Cooking Classes have been an absolute success! Teams of volunteers have worked both at the Victoria Park Hub and the North York Adult Development Program to offer interactive sessions to improve individuals’ cooking skills. Volunteers in these positions have made significant positive impact in the lives of participants by giving them yet another outlet to achieving greater independence and positivity in their everyday lives! We’d like to thank these volunteers for their great efforts in helping Community Living Toronto deliver yet another wonderful service to the people we support.

Volunteers needed for the upcoming fall monthly gatherings

Movie Nights – 4^th Tuesday Night, East End Games Nights – 2^nd Tuesday Night, Distillery District

To volunteer for the above programs or to find out more about volunteer opportunities, please contact a regional Coordinator of Volunteer Services.

Scarborough Region: Sarah Winter at          (647) 729-1633

Central Region: Yulia Prudova at                   (647) 729-1209

North York/Etobicoke Region: Sehrish Zehra at (647) 729-1162

Are you a caregiver for a person with an intellectual disability?  Join our network of caregivers and family members.  For further information, contact Sarah Winter @ 647-729-1633 or swinter@cltoronto.ca