People with developmental disabilities and agencies who support them are sending out what is being called “an urgent appeal” for help.
Agencies within the sector are noting that since 1993, core funding has increased to support agencies by less than seven per cent while cost of living has risen over 60 per cent.
An initiative entitled “Journey To Belonging: Choice and Inclusion,” was started under Minister Todd Smith in 2020. It is a ten-year initiative with the goal of supporting people with developmental disabilities to have more control and opportunity in their lives.
Community Living Ontario is among the agencies stating there is a waiting list with over 52,000 people on it seeking services and has started the #WaitingToBelong campaign. There is a call for “systemic change and major increases in resources” in order to fully realize the “Journey to Belonging” plan, those in the sector believe.
Materials sent out by the #WaitingToBelong campaign state “there are currently more than 52,000 adults waiting to access developmental services in Ontario. This means that about one in every three Ontario adults with a developmental disability are officially waiting to access a needed service or support.”
“It hasn’t been funded properly,” charged Community Living Ontario CEO Chris Beesley of the “Journey to Belonging” initiative. “You can create a vision and be aspirational but unless you put the resources behind it, it’s meaningless.”
Robert Walsh, CEO of Ontario Agencies Supporting Individuals with Special Needs (OASIS), added: “This chronic underfunding leaves agencies struggling to provide the critical services on which people with intellectual disabilities and their families depend. The gap forces families to shoulder more of the burden — financially, emotionally, and physically — just to meet basic needs. Is this the Ontario we want to live in, where families are left to bridge the growing divide between what’s needed and what’s funded?”
Closer to home, Community Living Essex County (CLEC) executive director Karen Bolger said it is a vital issue that needs to be addressed. While very appreciative of the three per cent increase given to the sector last year, ongoing funding commitments are needed to help bring down the waiting list.
“For the sector as a whole, it’s hugely urgent,” she said.
The #WaitingToBelong campaign is happening now, in advance of 2025 provincial budget consultations. She said they want the province and public to understand what is happening in the DS sector. Efforts have been made locally to streamline and fundraise, but dollars can only be stretched so far.
“We are not sitting around waiting for a handout,” said Bolger.
Without increased and consistent funding, the DS sector will have difficulty cutting into wait lists.
In Windsor-Essex alone, the waiting list was 1,029 in the first three quarters of 2024.
“That is huge,” she said.
For an agency like CLEC, the complexity of supports needed for people is growing as well as needs are expanding and evolving.
“Families are tired,” said Bolger. “They’ve been languishing on waitlists.”
People with developmental disabilities are ending up in long-term care or hospitals because families are being left with no options, she added.
“There’s just no need for it.”
Bolger said they are pleased Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) recipients have seen benefits are being increased tied to the inflation rate but they want to ensure there are no claw backs if a person is receiving Canada Disability Benefits as well. She added there are thousands not receiving a full allocation of what is known as “Passport” funding, even though they have been deemed eligible.
“Even (Passport) has a waiting list,” said Bolger.
Bolger agreed with a statement in a #WaitingToBelong press release that it is not a luxury, but a lifeline and the sector is trying to call attention to it.
Noting she meets with local MPPs, Bolger said they have been receptive to what CLEC and others in the DS sector are fighting for.
“(Essex MPP) Anthony Leardi is a huge advocate for our organization,” said Bolger. “I can call him up on anything. He has been really supportive of our agency for the last few years.”
Windsor-Tecumseh MPP Andrew Dowie has been similarly supportive, she noted, as has Windsor West MPP Lisa Gretzky.
Leardi stated that with the three per cent that has been put into the DS sector, many of those receiving ODSP receive increases in that benefit which is tied to inflation.
“In addition to the three per cent, their ODSP also went up five per cent,” he said.
Having ODSP increase with the rate of inflation is something the current government has committed to do, he indicated.
Pertaining to seven per cent increases in core funding since 1993, Leardi said Doug Ford was not premier in 1993, 2003 or 2013. He said the current government can’t be blamed for what happened in the past. Regarding the 52,000 waiting list number, Leardi questioned it saying people are getting services but might be waiting for other forms of support.
“Maybe there are those asking for more support, but support is there,” said Leardi.
Investment in the developmental services sector has substantially increased since the current PC government took office, he added.
“The Ford Government has increased funding by $3.5 billion into developmental services,” Leardi stated. “It’s an increase of $1.2 billion more than in 2017.
That’s a 52 per cent increase. In 2017, the budget was $2.3 billion for developmental services. We’re dedicating more resources – definitely more than the previous government – 52 per cent more.”
Leardi stated he backs the investments made in the DS sector “100 per cent.” He said agencies like Community Living offer caring, professional services to people with developmental disabilities.
“This is a sector we care about and I personally care about,” he said.
The Essex MPP said he will continue to work positively with agencies like CLEC and others in the sector and appreciates the interactions of people in the sector.
“It’s a very meaningful thing for the Government of Ontario to do,” he said.
Development services agencies start #WaitingtoBelong campaign
By Ron Giofu
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