Youth Mental Health

Community Living Ontario is dedicated to helping those with an intellectual disability live a fully integrated life within the community. The words "community living" reflect the growing understanding that the right to live a fully integrated life within a community -- to live, to go to school, to work, to enjoy recreation and leisure and to be active in retirement -- belongs to all. Our local associations provide direct services and support to individuals and their families so that people may plan their future as productive, fully participating citizens in the community. Community Living Ontario supports this activity by linking local associations and their members with the resources and information they need, and by offering training and consultation in the areas of family support, education, employment, human rights, community participation, advocacy and self-planning. Community Living Ontario also works to shape public policy by developing position papers on current issues, by analyzing and responding to legislation, and by advocating for change through public education and awareness campaigns. In addition, Community Living undertakes pilot projects that demonstrate Community Living at work. These range from "Building Inclusive Schools," a three-year project to help school districts adopt inclusive education, to "Opening New Doors," a project designed to help communities welcome people out of institutions. Community Living Ontario is also a member of the Canadian Association for Community Living, which in turn is an active participant in the international movement in support of people with intellectual disabilities.