Resources

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

 

Sports & Rec Programs For Kids With Disabilities — Ontario

DANCE

Bust A Move Dance (BAMD)
Toronto and GTA
danceabilitymovement.com

Dance Ability
Milton, Mississauga, Alliston, Ancaster, Bradford, Richmond Hill
danceabilitymovement.com

 

GYMNASTICS:

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

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



AQUATICS:

Goldfish Swim School —Not adaptive specifically but the facilities and program are well suited for children with a variety of disabilities. goldfishswimschool.com

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

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)

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

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

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

Looking for a SUMMER CAMP in Ontario?

Check out this website for help finding the right camp for your child: www.ontariocampsassociation.ca 

 

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-car

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

The Ontario Cleft Lip and Palate Craniofacial Dental Program — This program provides financial assistance for the specialized dental needs of children with cleft lip/palate, craniofacial anomaly or other severe dental dysfunction. The program will reimburse 75% of dental treatment costs remaining after private dental insurance. http://www.health.gov.on.ca

EDUCATION: 

Schools: Choosing A Special Needs School 

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

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

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