People with disabilities have the right to make their own decisions about issues that affect their lives. However, there are many circumstances in which this right is challenged. Individuals may be found to lack capacity to manage their own money and property, make their own decisions about medical treatment (or other personal care matters), bring forward a legal action, or retain and instruct a lawyer. There are different legal processes to challenge findings of incapacity and many of these processes can be complex.

Many people are surprised to learn that when a child with a disability reaches the age of majority(18), their parents are no longer their legal guardians. So how can parents protect the legal rights of their adult children? Is adult guardianship a viable alternative? What is the state of supported care in Ontario?

WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU:

• An understanding of the law in Ontario as it pertains to a person with a developmental disability
• Legal instruments families have at their disposal
• Current issues associated with legal capacity in Ontario

ABOUT THE SPEAKER: BRENDAN POORAN

Brendon D. Pooran is the principal lawyer at PooranLaw.  He is involved in all areas of the firm's practice and regularly provides advice to individuals, families, organizations and government in the areas of: wills & estates planning; disability law; and corporate law for not-for-profit and charitable organizations.

In addition to being a lawyer, Brendon teaches Critical Disability Law at York University, is the Past-President of Community Living York South and is a founding director of Plan Toronto (now Partners for Planning).  He is also a lawyer member on the Ontario Consent and Capacity Board and provides performance management solutions to organizations in the human services arena.

Brendon holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) degree from Queen`s University and a Bachelor of Laws Degree from Osgoode Hall Law School at York University.

To Register for this event please CLICK HERE

The Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) is a made-in-Canada, long-term savings vehicle designed specifically for individuals with disabilities.

What's in it for You:

• An understanding of the RDSP and potential government contributions
• Knowledge of the latest updates and changes to the RDSP
• Tips and advice on free resources that can be consulted for additional information

The webcast will run approximately 45 minutes with time for questions. Registrants will receive an email with a link to join the online webcast 24 hours before the event.

To register for the event please CLICK HERE

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.

Province Improving Services to Some of Ontario's Most Vulnerable

Ontario is investing in repairs, renovations and improved spaces for more people at residential properties that serve adults with developmental disabilities across the province.

The Honourable Dr. Helena Jaczek, Minister of Community and Social Serviceswas at Community Living North Halton today to announce that the agency will be receiving funding through the Multi-Year Residential Planning strategy. This funding will help Community Living North Halton house three new people, in addition to making important infrastructure upgrades to maximize the quality of life for residents. Upgrades include repairing and painting the building's exterior, upgrading its heating and cooling system, renovating bathrooms and replacing windows.

Ontario is making the largest infrastructure investment in hospitals, schools, public transit, roads and bridges in the province's history. To learn more about what's happening in your community, go to Ontario.ca/BuildON.

Quick Facts

• Ontario is investing $2 million in repairs and upgrades at residential properties across the province, including $215,000 in Community Living North Halton.
• This investment will create additional residential capacity for 51 people with developmental disabilities in agencies across Ontario.
• The Multi-Year Residential Planning strategy is part of the province's $810 million investment over three years in community and developmental services to support 1,400 new individuals.
• Approximately 18,000 people with a developmental disability receive residential supports in their community, while another 15,000 receive direct funding for services and supports.
• To date, more than 800 adults have transitioned to new residential supports - which is to provide accommodation, care and supervision to adults with a developmental disability - more than halfway towards our goal.
• In 2016-17, under the Partner Facility Renewal program, Ontario has also invested over $16.6 million in more than 175 community service agencies, including developmental service agencies, for approximately 860 projects across Ontario to repair, renovate or upgrade facilities.

Province to Eliminate 2014 Passport Waitlist One Year Ahead of Schedule

Ontario will eliminate the 2014 Passport waitlist by the end of next month -- one year ahead of schedule -- providing direct funding for 13,000 adults with developmental disabilities.

Passport is a government program that provides direct funding to adults with developmental disabilities so they can take part in community programs, develop work and daily life skills, hire a support worker and live independently.

As the number of eligible people for Passport funding continues to grow, addressing the waitlist is critical to ensuring that people with developmental disabilities across the province receive the supports they need as soon as possible.

Quick Facts

• Ontario is eliminating the 2014 Passport waitlist, providing 13,000 adults with developmental disabilities with direct funding by the end of the 2016-17 fiscal year.
• Since 2014, Ontario has been transforming and improving developmental services, through a landmark three-year $810 million investment.
• There are an estimated 70,000 adults with developmental disabilities in Ontario; close to 20,000 are supported through the Passport direct funding program.
• Ontario currently invests over $2 billion a year on developmental services.