Resources

List of resources for caregivers of children with disabilities in and around Toronto.

 

Looking for a SUMMER CAMP in Ontario? Check out this website for help finding the right camp for your child: www.ontariocampsassociation.ca 

Sports & Rec Programs For Kids With Disabilities — Ontario


DANCE & GYMNASTICS:

Artistic Dance Scene
Adaptive dance class—elements from jazz, ballet, acro. Fun, safe, happy environment where kids with disabilities can dance!
www.artisticdancescene.ca
905-845-7272

Burlington BGs Gymnastics
Instructor led gymnastics and trampoline classes for children with a developmental disability.
www.burlingtonbgsgymnastics.com 
905-634-0310

Dance Elite Milton
Dance Ability is Dance Elite’s newest dance program for children of all abilities.
www.danceelite.ca
905-878-5736

Marie Ann Longlade School of Dance Mississauga
Creative movement dance class designed for kids with special needs. Taught by fully certified early childhood educator.
www.marieannlongladeschoolofdance.com
905-276-7471

The Dance PAC Mississauga
Love to Dance program for children 6 and up with cognitive and/or physical exceptionalities.
www.thedancepacinc.com
905-542-2307

Kid’s Super Gym Mississauga
A structured gymnastics program designed to introduce, establish and build fundamental gymnastics skills including strength conditioning, co-ordination, balance, flexibility and agility.
www.kids-supergym.com
905-607-5437

Schlegel’s Gymnastics Centre Oakville
Focused on fun, fitness adn the fundamentals of gymnastics in a non-competitive environment.
www.schlegelsgym.com
905-842-3537



AQUATICS:

City of Mississauga — Children with special needs swim lessons. Participants must be accompanied by caregiver over the age of 14.
www.activemississauga.ca
905-615-4100

City of Oakville — Aquadapt Program: 1:1 swimming lessons.
www.oakville.ca
905-815-2000

Lynne Patch Aquatics Mississauga — Private, semi-private & inclusive swimming lessons for children with special needs.
www.swimlpa.com
905-897-7946

Making Waves Hamilton — 1:1 swimming instruction for children with special needs (downtown YMCA)
www.makingwaveshamilton.org
1-888-530-5618 x 102

Making Waves Swim School Brampton and Milton — Integrated, low ratio (3:1) swimming lessons in warm water pool offered across all three locations. Salt water pool in West Brampton.
www.mwss.ca
905-455-7946 (Brampton) 905-878-9747 (Milton)

Ron Edwards Family YMCA Burlington — L’il Sharks Program: In-water teaching to develop and improve swim skills for children with special needs age 3+.
www.ymcahbb.ca
905-632-5000

Mississauga Synchronized Swimming Association — Unique Athletes Recreational Program: for females with special needs. Swimmer level 5 is recommended.
www.msaa.ca
416-410-1433

SPORTS & FITNESS:

Airborne Trampoline Centre Mississauga — Offers a variety of choices to fit the needs a wide range of individuals and groups.
www.airbornetrampoline.ca
905-828-2412

Sportball (multiple locations) — Adapted Sportball program provides an array of skill building opportunities for participants with additional needs.
www.sportball.ca
905-842-4473
(Image via sportball.ca)

Brampton Hockey — Learn how to stop, shoot, pass, score and play games with other special needs athletes.
www.bramptonyouthhockey.com
905-453-3243

BODiWORKS Centre for Specialized Wellness Mississauga — Adapted gym program for children ages 3-18. Cooperative and safe atmosphere with 1:1 instruction.
www.healthinfreedom.net
905-608-9314 ext 221

Cooksville Crusaders Mississauga — Hockey team consisting of players with intellectual disabilities.
www.cooksvillecrusaders.com
905-822-6076

Cruisers Sports for the Physically Disabled (Multiple locations) —  Non-profit organization providing sports & rec opportunities to people with physical disabilities.
www.cruisers-sports.com
905-790-6732

Dash Sports Oakville — Multi-sport program for children ages 3-7 which introduces them to 8 different sports.
www.dashsports.ca
905-849-8837

SkateABLE—adaptive ice skating program in Kitchener. 
www.skateable.ca

The Golden Horseshoe Disabled Sports Association (Oakville, Burlington) — Training and competition for youth with physical disabilities. Sports include: track & field, boccia, swimming, wheelchair basketball.
www.ghdsa.org

Karate for Change (Multiple locations) — Non contact karate program, focusing on physical fitness & discipline, for children with special needs.
www.karateforchange.com
416-668-6914

Mississauga Canoe Club — PaddleALL is an inclusive paddling program designed to make the fun and personal growth of canoeing and kayaking accessible to individuals with physical, emotional and learning challenges. Ages 12+.
www.mississaugacanoeclub.com
647-823-8833

North Mississauga Soccer Club — Special Needs Soccer program created and designed to bring the opportunity to learn and play soccer to players with intellectual & physical disabilities.
www.nmsc.net
905-858-1227

Oakville Soccer Club — Breaking Barriers: Designed for participants between the ages of U6-U13 with intellectual and/or physical disabilities—facilitated by OSC’s Active Start certified staff and dedicated volunteers. Breaking Barriers will introduce participants to the fundamentals of physical literacy and the sport of soccer, engaging at their own pace while making new friends.
www.oakvillesoccer.ca/youth-hl/breaking-barriers
905-849-4436

Ontario Track 3 Ski Association (Multiple locations) — Volunteer non-profit organization that teachers children with disabilities to downhill ski and snowboard.
www.track3.org
416-233-3872

Parasport Ontario — Visit the online directory to find opportunities for athletes with a physical disability in your area.
www.parasportontario.ca
416-426-7187

Track 2000 Milton — Riders Ready BMX racing program for children with a physical disablity, ages 6-18.
www.mbmxracing.com
905-630-7400

Special Olympics Ontario (Multiple locations) — Providing year-round sports training and athletic competition for individuals with intellectual disabilities. SOO promotes opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and develop skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympic athletes and the community.
www.southcentral.specialolympicsontario.ca
289-521-0583

Buddy Bikes (Burlington) — This bike provides adaptive outdoor recreation and therapeutic activity to riders with cognitive or physical disabilities who may not be able to ride a bicycle safely on their ownBorrow our Buddy bike for a few hours or a few days, just like a library! 
www.rollinghorse.ca/Buddy-Bike

 

FUNDING ASSISTANCE:

Canadian Tire Jumpstart — Assistance for children & youth to participate in organized sports & rec.
jumpstart.canadiantire.ca
1-877-616-6600

KidSport Ontario — Helps youth participate in organized sport & physical activity.
www.kidsportontario.ca
1-866-641-7767

Easter Seals Ontario Camp & Rec Choices—Funding program provides funding for a recreational experience within Ontario (e.g. day camp, rec camp, swimming lessons, etc.) or family vacation within Ontario.
www.eastersealscamps.org
1-800-668-6252 ext 325

Easter Seals “Access 2 Cards”—The Access 2 card allows persons with a disability to receive either free admission or a significant discount for their support person at member movie theatres and attractions across Canada.
http://easterseals.ca/english/access-2-entertainment-card

Easter Seals “Disability Travel Card”— Intended for people with disabilities who require the assistance of a support person when traveling. The Card offers its holder discounts to the support person in attendance with them when traveling with participating partners Via Rail, Greyhound bus lines and Coach Canada.
http://easterseals.ca/english/disability-travel-card

Easter Seals Incontinence Supplies Grant Program:
http://www.easterseals.org/wp-content/downloads/Incontinence-Supplies-Grant-Application.pdf 

Easter Seals Financial Assistance Application :http://www.easterseals.org/wp-content/downloads/Financial-Assistance-Application-and-Guidelines-2016.pdf

President’s Choice Community Funding — Applicable to families whose children have been diagnosed with a range of disabilities including cerebral palsy, autism, muscular dystrophy, spina bifida and various developmental delays.
Applicants must meet the following criteria: Canadian Child (18 and under)
, Diagnosed physical or developmental disability, Household annual income $70,000 or less
www.presidentschoice.ca

Technology Access Centre—Serves children and adults with neurological, developmental and/or multiple disabilities. The mission of the Technology Access Clinic is to facilitate the communication of individuals who are not able to write due to a long-term physical disability and/or whose speech does not meet all of their communication needs.
www.mcmasterchildrenshospital.ca

Children’s Fitness Tax Credit — Children with disabilities (who receive the Disability Tax Credit) age 18 and under are eligible for an additional credit claim of $500, for a total of up to a $1000 Fitness Tax Credit Claim for 2015/2016. NOTE: Ontario proposes to end the CATC as of January 1, 2017, and will focus on developing other programs to encourage physical activity and healthy eating for Ontario’s children, including those in lower-income families.

Healthy Smiles Ontario – a free dental program that includes regular check-ups, preventive care, and treatment for children and youth 17 and under. www.health.gov.on.ca/en/pro/programs/dental

EDUCATION: 

Schools

 

ONLINE GAME/EDUCATIONAL SITES For Kids:

APPS:

USEFUL WEBSITES & BLOGS:

GENETIC DISORDER INFO:

SPEECH DELAYS—Online Resources:

 

 

BOOKS /~/ For Parents:

BOOKS /~/ For Kids: 

ARTICLES:

Dear New Special Needs Parent—You Are Not Alone

9 Ways You Can Help A Special Needs Parent

The Quest 

What one mother’s son has taught her about “having it all” 

Eight Truths About Special Needs Parenting

All images and text are copyright © 2016 Forever In Mom Genes