2017 Policy Forum - Ensuring the Legal Right to Supported Decision Making

Too often our current laws strip people of their rights to make decisions, handing decision-making powers of many, including people who have an intellectual disability, to guardians and substitute decision-makers.

In early March, the Law Commission of Ontario will release the final report into its comprehensive review of Ontario's legal framework for guardianship and decision-making. This is a critically important report for people who have disabilities and others who are at risk of having their legal capacity to make decisions questioned and curtailed. The report will address law reform issues that Community Living Ontario and other advocates have been exploring for almost 30 years.

Community Living Ontario, in collaboration with the Ryerson School of Disability Studies, is hosting this forum to explore the content of the Law Commission's report and consider if it will promote the evolution of a legal framework for supported decision making in Ontario.

We invite you to come and participate in this important forum which will explore the following questions:

• What law reform measures is the Law Commission recommending to government?
• Are the recommendations likely to enhance the rights of people to retain their legal capacity to make decisions and receive the support they need to guide decisions made about their life?
• Are the Law Commission's recommendations consistent with Canada's obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities?
• How should the disability community react to the report and how will we continue to work collectively to advance the reforms that we have called for over the past three decades?

When and where

Monday, March 27th, 2017, 9:30 AM 3:30 PM
Ryerson University, Jorgenson Hall (Room POD 250), 380 Victoria Street, Toronto

Who should attend?

The event is open to anyone interested in being part of this policy/law reform discussion. We welcome members of Community Living Ontario, students and faculty of Ryerson University and all others who support community inclusion, including people who have a disability, family members, volunteers, service providers, policy makers, etc.

Cost and registration

To ensure that cost is not a barrier to participation, the event is free but registration is required. To register, click here. We ask those who are able, to pay a voluntary registration fee of $40 to help cover expenses.

The room is wheelchair accessible and there are accessible washrooms close by in the building. The registration form will tell you how to let us know if there is any specific accommodation that your require to participate in this event including any dietary restrictions. Please let us know about any accommodation requirements 2-3 weeks in advance of the event.

If you have any questions or would like to inform us of any accomodations you might require to participate in this forum, please contact Terri Meshwork at the Community Living Ontario Office: 416-447-4348 ext. 228 or terri@communitylivingontario.ca.