Community Supports & Resources

• 211 – a three-digit phone number and website that provides information and referral to community and social services in Ontario. Certified Information and Referral Specialists are caring, understanding and knowledgeable, and pride themselves on their ability to connect you with the services you need
• Community Living Ontario – a non-profit, provincial association that advocates for people who have an intellectual disability to be fully included in all aspects of community life
• Durham Behaviour Management Services – consultation for parents and professionals regarding positive behavioural supports for children age 2 to 12; also provides toileting resources
• Durham Immigration Portal – a one-stop, community-based immigration resource designed to welcome and support new Canadians in Durham Region
• Lake Ridge Community Support Services – Applied Behaviour Analysis services for individuals living in Durham Region with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder or Intellectual Disability
• Resources for Exceptional Children and Youth – Durham Region – offering a range of services for children and youth age 0 to 18 years of age with a variety of needs, including an on-site child care centre, case management services and assistance to families facing complex challenges
• Rose of Durham – a day program that offers services and supports to young parents and their babies, including counselling, prenatal classes and workshops
• Women’s Multicultural Resource & Counselling Centre of Durham (WMRCC) – an agency dealing with issues of violence against multicultural women, immigrant and refugee women in the Durham Region. The organization’s aim is to provide culturally sensitive services to women, youth and children from diverse backgrounds.

• Diagnosis Resources

Grandview Kids is only able to accept a very limited amount of donated adapted toys. We are not able to accept items such as:

• wheelchairs
• seating
• walkers
• standers
• bath equipment
• adapted strollers
• etc.

If you have equipment that you think another family could use, we encourage you to create your own flyer (include a picture and description of the equipment with your contact information) and post it on our “parent information” bulletin board in the waiting room at our Oshawa – Main site or Ajax site. Other options for equipment you no longer need:

• For the Needy – Not the Greedy – They supply a wide variety of medical equipment and assistive devices to individuals or organizations in need, when resources are available. The organization has been able to donate wheelchairs, walkers, operating tables, syringes, food supplements, infrared wheelchair for a blind person, alcohol swabs, etc.
• Canadian Red Cross – Children’s Medical Equipment Recycling & Loan Service (CMERLS) > as of December 2012, the Durham Region branch is currently only accepting adaptive equipment for adults.
• Freecycle Durham Region – all items posted online are “recycled” for free.
• Kijiji – local online classified ads.
• Zach’s List – online paediatric equipment exchange source. Click the link to request to join the ZachsList Pediatric Equipment Exchange closed Facebook Group

*Please note that Grandview Kids does not endorse these organizations.

• Financial Assistance

• Advancing Access to Affordable Recreation in Durham Region – Contact information for municipal and not for profit organizations that may provide financial assistance for registered recreation services and programs for low income residents in Durham Region.
• Jumpstart Program – a registered charity of Canadian Tire providing funding for recreation opportunities for financially disadvantaged kids.
• Ontario Federation for Cerebral Palsy (OFCP) Activity Funding Program – available to individuals with cerebral palsy in the province of Ontario who are members of the OFCP.
• Their Opportunity – Their Opportunity exists to support under serviced families with the means to enroll their children into local sports and recreation programs, and hosting a unique Giveback Program where children receiving funding are required to “pay it forward” within their community. 

From the Ontario Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services:

• Autism Services and Supports
• Financial Help
• Programs and Services for Children and Youth with Special Needs
• Government Funding

• Dental Professionals Tool Kit – guide designed by Autism Speaks for dental professionals to help reduce children’s anxiety levels and increase compliance. The Tool Kit provides general and specific information that may help dental professionals better serve the needs of children with special needs.
• Eye See…Eye Learn® – provides comprehensive eye exams by local Doctors of Optometry to junior kindergarten students in Durham Region. The eye exams are covered under OHIP when you show your child’s health card so there is no out-of-pocket cost for the eye exam. If the child requires a pair of glasses, they will receive a free pair donated by Nikon Lenswear, OGI and your participating Doctor of Optometry. Apply by June 30.
• Healthy Smiles Ontario – a program for children 17 and under who do not have access to any form of dental coverage; if eligible, your children will receive regular dental services at no cost to you
• Medical Decision Aid – families often struggle with making the decision of whether medication use is right for their child; this guide published by Autism Speaks is designed to help parents clarify their values and goals and then talk with their healthcare provider about the options, benefits, and possible downsides of medications. This tool kit can be used at any point in the decision-making process, including the re-evaluation of medications your child is now taking.

• AbilityOnline – a free, monitored and secure online community that welcomes kids, teens and young adults of all abiltiies. Find a friend or be a friend to someone just like you. Separate sections for different age groups and specialized tools help address additional transitional needs and challenges. Parents and professionals are welcome too.
• ConnectAbility – a website organized by age group and built for people with a developmental disability and their support networks
• Networking with parents/guardians of children with special needs

• BLOOM – Parenting Kids with Disabilities – Parenting a child with a disability presents unique challenges and rewards not often addressed in mainstream parenting literature. On the BLOOM blog, Louise Kinross, writer and editor of BLOOM for Holland Bloorview Kids Rehab in Toronto, sensitively selects and shares articles from parents and professionals in childhood disability treatment
• Today’s Parent – Special Needs Parenting – Anchel Krishna is from the Toronto area. Her daughter, Syona, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy just before her first birthday. Read each week as Anchel blogs about the everyday extraordinary: the regularity/commonalities moms and dads of special needs kids share with parents of “typically developing children,” and the exceptionalities that are truly part of each day.
• EarlyON Child and Family Centres – EarlyON Child and Family Centres provide opportunities for children from birth to six years of age to participate in play and inquiry-based programs and support parents and caregivers in their roles. These centres offer safe and welcoming environments open to all families across the Durham Region, with qualified professionals and quality programs. Families and caregivers will be able to find support, make personal connections and access a network of resources.

• Partners for Planning – a non-profit organization started by and for families with a relative with a disability. Providing support, seminars, and resources to help families create a good life and a safe, secure future for their loved ones.
• Planned Lifetime Networks is a resource from the Ontario Adult Autism Research and Support Network
• Planning for your child’s future

• Community Integration through Cooperative Education (CICE) – the modified CICE program at Durham College is designed for individuals with intellectual disabilities or significant learning challenges who can benefit from the opportunity to build confidence, gain independence and enjoy the college experience first-hand by learning at their own pace in programs such as Early Childhood Education, Hospitality Management and Fitness and Health Promotion.

• Empowered Kids Ontario (EKO)

Please click here to access the complete list of services in PDF format.

• Abilities Centre – located in Whitby: a fully accessible, state-of-the-art multi-purpose 125,000 square foot facility committed to the development of an inclusive and integrated environment for people of all ages and abilities; facility offers 3 full regulation basketball courts, 200-metre six-lane track, cardio/fitness, weight room, and sensory rooms; programs include sports, recreation, drama, music, art, and life skills
• All Abilities League – Oshawa Kicks Soccer Club – an inclusive, soccer-based program for children, youth and adults with physical and/or intellectual disabilities encouraging fun and fitness with engaging activities that promote independence and self-confidence enabling athletes to develop physically, socially, and personally within a fun, soccer-focused team environment.
• Challenge League Sports – special sports for unique players in Durham Region
• Durham Attack Recreational Volleyball – contact Lawrence Flynn at flynn_lawrence@hotmail.com for information about their free sitting volleyball drop-in program on Friday nights for age 10 and over
• Durham Rowing Club – located in Port Perry: adaptive rowing program; participants must be able to swim and follow instructions
• Ontario Wheelchair Sports Association – dedicated to the development and promotion of athlete-centred, amateur wheelchair sport programs
• ParaEquestrian Canada – information about para-equestrian including therapeutic riding, competitive para-dressage sport and more
• ParaSport Ontario – learn how to get involved in parasport as an athlete, coach, official, classifier, guide or club volunteer
• Therapeutic Recreation at Grandview Kids – a variety of programs and activities offered for children and youth up to age 19 with special needs; available at various times and locations throughout the year
• Ultimate Canadian Cheer – co-ed cheerleading team open to athletes of all ages; practices in Pickering, competitions throughout the GTA
• Variety Village – located in Scarborough: fitness facility dedicated to improving the quality of life of all people, regardless of their abilities; offers specialized programs and services without barriers, intimidation or other obstacles
• Wake Robin Farm – located in Uxbridge: offers para-equestrian and therapeutic horseback riding
• Wheelchair Tennis – interactive map listing contact information for wheelchair tennis programs in Canada; facilitated by Tennis Canada
• Whitby Yacht Club – sailing programs run from June to September and are fully adapted for any ability
• WindReach Farm – located in Ashburn: offers therapeutic horseback riding; the facility is designed to meet the needs of individuals with a variety of disabilities and includes fully wheelchair accessible pathways, trails, buildings, barns, stables; welcomes both the special needs and able-bodied communities

• RespiteServices.com
• Footprints 4 Autism
• Durham Association for Family Respite Services
• Choosing a respite worker

• Transitions from Starting School to Adulthood – resources from Easter Seals Ontario

• Disability Travel Cards from Easter Seals Ontario