Access to funding is essential for fostering opportunities and independence for individuals with developmental disabilities. Unfortunately, the provincial government is falling short in providing these vital resources, in Ontario.
**Severe Funding Shortfalls Impacting People with Developmental Disabilities**
Over 52,000 individuals are currently on waiting lists for critical supports and services due to significant funding shortfalls in the sector. Since 1993, the Ontario government has increased core funding to support agencies by less than 7%, while the cost of living has surged by over 60% in that same period. Developmental services agencies across the province, including those in Essex County, are expressing that the system is no longer sustainable.
These services are not luxuries; they are lifelines that assist people with developmental and intellectual disabilities in their daily activities. They enable individuals to live and work in their communities while providing much-needed support and respite for their families. Supportive services include teaching basic life skills, helping with medications and appointments, and assisting individuals in finding homes, jobs, and community activities, allowing them to truly belong.
The "Journey to Belonging: Choice and Inclusion," initiated under Minister Todd Smith in 2020, is a ten-year initiative aimed at empowering people with developmental disabilities to gain more control and opportunities in their lives. However, with over 52,000 individuals currently on waiting lists for supports and services, systemic change and significant increases in resources are necessary to achieve this goal.
“It hasn’t been funded properly,” states Community Living Ontario CEO Chris Beesley. “You can create a vision and be aspirational, but unless you provide the necessary resources, it's meaningless."
Community Living Essex County and the broader developmental services sector are urgently urging the Ontario government to take action. There are 52,000 individuals with intellectual disabilities who are waiting for the chance to belong—not to a service system, but to vibrant communities where they can contribute and be valued.
Karen Bolger, the Executive Director at Community Living Essex County, and Corey Dalgleish, the Director of Community Living Operations, joined me this week to shed light on the urgency of this matter.
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