Across the country, people with developmental disabilities struggle to live in their communities, facing many barriers to getting needed support.
United Way Greater Toronto believes every person deserves opportunity, access, and connection to building a good life, which is why UWGT funds agencies with developmental disability programs.
A developmental disability is a broad term that describes conditions affecting the physical, intellectual, or emotional development. Around 550,000 people in Ontario live with a developmental disability.
With an estimated 80% of Ontario residents with disabilities reporting that they feel isolated, United Way Greater Toronto funds agencies that provide community-based programs and initiatives.
Community Living is a non-profit association that has been operating for over 70 years, advocating for people with an intellectual disability and their families. Through positive change through public policy and advocacy, the agency creates public awareness and networking opportunities.
One of the programs offered through United Way’s grant is their Community Support Program. “Individuals don’t know where to go a lot of the time, or they’re confused,” said Ritu Singarayer, Director for Community Living’s York South branch. “They really struggle navigating support and services.”
“One of the unique parts about this program is that there is no waitlist,” said Singarayer.
Support teams connect individuals looking for help with respite options, family initiatives, educational and self-help workshops, and many other options. The program’s coordinators act as an access point for people with intellectual disabilities and their families.
“They might be looking to access programming, access resources,” said Singarayer. “They might need to know about different fundings that are happening in the community.”
Coordinators will look at what the individual has in place for their disability and then ask what the individual needs in addition to what they already have.
The team at the Centre for Independent Living gathering for a team event. (Credit: Centre for Independent Living)
Organizations are funded through UWGT’s Community Program Grant, which provides three year funding.
“Our top funding is Anchor funding, which is for five years,” said Jyoti Shukla, Manager of Community Investments at United Way Greater Toronto. Anchor funding often continues if the agency continues to meet United Way’s standards.
Grants at UWGT go through a rigorous process, with three levels at play. Agency grants first go for approval from a staff member in charge of reviewing a portfolio of agencies.
Staff recommendations then head to Senior Leadership, and the final level is United Way’s management advisory group.
The grant goes through the community sector approval as well as a voice from the corporate sector and other related sectors. Once an agency has passed all three levels, United Way’s board has final approval on the agency grant.
People with a developmental disability should not have to feel alone in their community, which is why UWGT is helping in any way they can.
This story was produced as part of a partnership between Centennial College journalism students and United Way Greater Toronto.
