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Services and Supports Available in the Community

Community doesn’t mean isolation—it means being part of the world in a way that works for you. For students with intellectual, developmental, psychological, and/or physical disabilities, the community pathway offers a flexible and supportive option that encourages connection, independence, and personal growth. 

Many of the students in this pathway, particularly those with intellectual disabilities, can remain in secondary school until June of the year that you turn 21, giving you more time to build skills and explore opportunities. However, without thoughtful planning, the transition after graduation can feel uncertain—especially when it comes to finding meaningful social experiences and community engagement. 

That’s why early exploration and person-centred planning are so important. By learning about available programs and working with your support team—school staff, community service providers, and caregivers—you can help create a smooth transition and lay the foundation for a vibrant and purposeful adult life.

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Here are some ways that students in the community pathway can contribute and connect:

Work or Volunteer in the Community
  • Join a supported employment program 
  • Volunteer with a local organization, animal shelter, library, or school

Learn in the Community
  • Take life skills courses or adapted programs through local agencies
  • Considering modified post-secondary education and/or life-long learning programs available in the community

Access the Community

Accessing travel training or support to help you learn to take the bus, subway, or other transportation safely and independently.

Live in the Community

Exploring options for supported living, such as staying in your family home, living in a group or supported living environment, or living independently.

Health Care in the Community
  • Identifying key mental health services available to support your psychological wellbeing
  • Connecting with required medical practitioners to support your physical wellbeing

Funding Available in the Community
  • Identifying financial supports available to meet your basic living needs 
  • Ensuring financial and legal protections (as needed)

Making a holistic plan that includes all aspects of your life ensures that your physical, mental, psychological, and social needs will be addressed throughout the transition and beyond. We will discuss each of these areas in more detail in the next section, with information on relevant community programs available.

Developmental Services Ontario (DSO)

Developmental Services Ontario is a key resource for individuals with Intellectual Disabilities transitioning to adulthood. Developmental Services Ontario (DSO) is the access point for adult developmental services funded by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS) in Ontario. Once you have registered with your area DSO, they will determine the kinds of services and supports you need, access relevant MCCSS-funded services you need (when a spot is available), and provide information on disability-related supports available in your community. When you turn 16, contact your area DSO to see if you are eligible for services. By starting the application process early, you may be able to avoid service delays when you turn 18.

Developmental Services Ontario (DSO)

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Resources and Supports

Recreational Programs

Recreation or arts programs are fun and engaging ways to connect with others and take part in your community. Some programs are province-wide, while others may be more specific to your area. Asking your support staff, whether at school or through a community disability service, will be helpful to identify specific programs available in your community. 

Common programs are: 

In addition to the links above, contact your local Developmental Services Ontario and/or Community Living agencies to explore available recreation programs in your community.

Employment and Volunteering

Many people with intellectual disabilities enjoy participating in their community through employment or volunteering. School staff and your local community employment agency will be a big support in exploring volunteer or employment opportunities in your community. 

Additionally, programs such as Ready, Willing and Able connect and support employers, persons with an intellectual disability and/or on the autism spectrum and local, provincial and national community employment agencies. 

Additionally, the Canadian Association for Supported Employment (CASE) provides information on agencies providing supported employment, as well as information on their MentorAbility program mentoring program. Employment supports may additionally be available in your community through the Ontario Disability Support Program and the March of Dimes. 

If employment is a goal, discussing regionally available employment supports with educational/guidance staff and developmental services providers will be important to ensure that you understand the services/supports available in your community.

Learning and Education

Recreation or arts programs are fun and engaging ways to connect with others and take part in your community. Some programs are province-wide, while others may be more specific to your area. Asking your support staff, whether at school or through a community disability service, will be helpful to identify specific programs available in your community. 

Common programs are: 

In addition to the links above, contact your local Developmental Services Ontario and/or Community Living agencies to explore available recreation programs in your community.

Getting Around and Using Transit

Learning to navigate your community and use public transportation is a significant skill for people with intellectual or other significant disabilities to participate in their community. Services and supports differ by region, but most offer programs such as: 

  • Many public transportation providers offer free transit or travel training for people with disabilities e.g. Wheeltrans Travel Training in Toronto. For other regions, search for your local public transportation provider to learn more. Further, public transit providers offer a number of accessibility features, including low-floor buses, elevators in stations, priority seating, and audio/visual stop announcements, that make travel more inclusive and manageable. 
  • People with disabilities who travel with a support person may be able to apply for a Support Person Assistance Card. This allows the support person to travel for free. Contact your local public provider for local travel or Easter Seals for travel by Via Rail or Coach Canada. 
  • Some transportation services offer hidden disability programs, such as the Sunflower program. Transportation services enrolled in this program can provide, on request, a sunflower pin to wear. This helps employees and others know that you might require a bit more support, time, or a helping hand when out in public. 
  • Para-transit or specialized transit services are available in most communities for people who are unable to use conventional public transit due to a disability. These services typically offer door-to-door or curb-to-curb transportation and may require an application or eligibility assessment. Voluntary driver or community transportation programs are offered by some non-profits or municipalities for individuals who are not eligible for para-transit or need occasional support getting to appointments or activities. 
  • Apps and technology like Google Maps, Transit App, or specialized apps like MagnusCards help with route planning and navigating transit systems. 
  • For those living in rural communities, where public transit is not an option, Passport funding (discussed further below) can help offset the cost of mileage for support workers or the cost of a taxi for Passport admissible trips.

Living in the Community

Some people may choose to remain living in their family home, and some may wish to move on to supported, semi-independent, or independent housing. This is a complex decision, involving a number of factors including your level of independence with activities of daily living (such as engaging in hygiene tasks, cooking, cleaning, and managing your own medications and finances), your family situation, and your personal goals, as well as current waitlists and availability of programming in your community. You can use the DSO Housing Toolkit to start exploring housing options that align with you and your family’s goals. You may also choose to work with a DSO housing navigator to discuss options available in your specific community.

Living at Home

Remaining in the family home can offer a familiar and supportive environment that helps ease the transition into adulthood. As you start to take on adult roles, responsibilities, and challenges, your support needs will likely change and both you and your caregivers may find yourselves adjusting to new roles and routines. This shift can be an opportunity to strengthen relationships, foster independence, and explore new ways of living together that reflect your evolving needs and goals. Given this challenge, there are family support groups available to support family members with this change. Respite services additionally continue to be available to caregivers of adults with intellectual disabilities to allow everyone with periods to rest and recharge.

Supported Housing

In supported housing, a person lives in either a home placement (see Family Home for a description) with a family who can provide a caring, stable environment on a full-time basis, or Group Home, which is a home composed of multiple persons as well as staff to provide their care. These supported living arrangements often mimic the level of support available to people prior to the transition to adulthood but can afford the person with a disability a sense of autonomy and opportunities for new relationships.

Supported Independent Living

For people requiring less support with day-to-day activities of daily living, some communities have opportunities for Supported Independent Living (SIL). SIL allows a person to live in their own space but with staff available in the same building or close by to provide support with tasks, such as shopping, budgeting, and housekeeping, as needed. Wait times for SIL can be long. As such, it is important to explore this option early and to have a plan in place should a spot in a SIL placement not be readily available.

Independent Living

For people generally able to live independently but who require access to support, as needed, for more complex situations, independent living may be appropriate. In some cases, people may qualify for the Adult Protective Service Worker (APSW) program which supports adults with a developmental disability who are living on their own. The goal of the program is to help you live as independently, safely and securely as possible in your community by helping you find and maintain social and housing services, health and dental care, and counselling for emotional support.

Supporting your Health

The shift from child- to adult-oriented care often brings new challenges: pediatric supports tend to end between the ages of 16 and 18 and you therefore may need to transition to adult-oriented practitioners and services. Building these relationships early helps ensure continuity of care, promotes preventive health, and supports advocacy around issues such as communication needs, behaviour, and medication management. Families and caregivers can work closely with Developmental Services Ontario (DSO) (discussed below) to navigate this process — DSO is the central access point for provincially-funded adult developmental services in Ontario, including specialized clinical and community supports. You can additionally contact Health Care Connect to find family doctors and nurse practitioners in your community who are accepting new patients.

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Accessing Funding

Adulthood brings new opportunities—and new costs. Many of the living, social, and recreational programs highlighted in this section operate on a fee-for-service basis. The good news is that there are funding supports available for persons with intellectual or significant disabilities, and you may be eligible. With the right information and planning, these resources can help make meaningful experiences and supports more accessible.

The Disability Tax Credit

The Disability Tax Credit (DTC) is a non-refundable tax credit that helps people with disabilities, or their supporting family member, reduce the amount of income tax they may have to pay. By reducing the amount of income tax you may have to pay, the DTC aims to offset some of the extra costs related to the disability. You can apply for this benefit at any time.

The Canada Disability Benefit

The Canada Disability Benefit provides direct financial support to people with disabilities who are between 18 and 64 years old (applications can be submitted at 17.5 years). Designed to provide monthly financial support to low-income Canadians with disabilities, the program is administered through Service Canada.

Passport Funding

Passport is a program that helps adults 18 years or older with a developmental disability to participate in their communities and live as independently as possible. It also helps caregivers of an adult with a developmental disability take a break from their caregiving responsibilities. This financial support is available through your Developmental Services Office (DSO).

Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)

The Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) can provide financial support and other services to eligible individuals. For people with developmental or other severe disabilities, as part of their transition to life after high school, they should begin their ODSP application at 17.5 years old, so that it can be completed before they turn 18.

Supported financial assistance

Some individuals in the community pathway may find it difficult to independently manage their own finances without oversight and support. Information on supported financial assistance is available through IF Library and supportive decision-making can be accessed through Community Living.

Rights and Responsibilities

In Ontario, adults with disabilities have the same rights as everyone else. They can make their own choices, agree to or refuse care, and keep their personal information private. The law says adults can make their own decisions unless it is clearly shown that they cannot for a specific reason.

Legal Rights

Fair Treatment: Adults with developmental disabilities must be treated fairly. They cannot be discriminated against when looking for a job, a place to live, or when using services. 

Accessibility: Ontario has laws that help make places, services, and information easier for people with disabilities to use. 

Full Participation: People have the right to live in their communities, take part in activities, and get the help they need for daily living. 

Safety: If someone is being hurt, neglected, or taken advantage of, they can call services like ReportON or the police for help.

Consent (Saying Yes or No to Decisions)

Ability to Decide: Adults are assumed to be able to make their own choices. A person is able to decide if they understand the important information and what might happen because of the decision. 

Different Decisions, Different Abilities: Someone may be able to make simple choices—like what to wear or eat—but may need help with more complex decisions—like money or medical issues. 

Informed Consent: Before giving treatment or sharing information, doctors or workers must explain things in a way the person can understand. This may include simple words, pictures, or gestures. 

Supported Decision-Making: People can ask family, friends, or others they trust to help them think through decisions. But the final choice is still theirs. 

Substitute Decision-Maker (SDM): If a trained evaluator decides a person cannot make a certain choice, another person (an SDM) will make the decision. The SDM must follow the person’s wishes or choose what is best for them.

Privacy

Keeping Information Safe: Personal and health information is protected by law. 

Control Over Information: People have the right to know what information is collected about them, why it is collected, and who sees it. They must give permission before their information is shared. 

Looking at Records: People can see their own files and ask for corrections if something is wrong. 

Privacy During Care: Everyone has the right to privacy when getting medical treatment or personal care.

Responsibilities

Take Part in Decisions: People should participate in discussions about their accommodation and care plans to the best of their ability. 

Share Their Needs: They should tell or otherwise communicate to others what supports or accommodations they need. 

Work with Helpers: People should co-operate with workers or evaluators who need information to give proper support. 

Respect Others: Everyone should respect the rights and dignity of the people around them.

Your Next Steps

Now that we have explored the programs, supports, and resources available for adults in the community pathway, as well as your rights and responsibilities, we need to start planning your transition, ensuring that you have the skills needed to successfully achieve your transition goals. 

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