The Centre for Independent Living in Toronto (CILT) is a
not for profit
A not-for-profit or non-for-profit organization (NFPO) is a legal entity that does not distribute surplus funds to its members and is formed to fulfill specific objectives.
While not-for-profit organizations and non-profit organizations (NP ...
organization that supports people with disabilities and addictions.
In 1993, CILT advocated to the
Government of Ontario
The Government of Ontario () is the body responsible for the administration of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Ontario. The term ''Government of Ontario'' refers specifically to the executive—political Minister ...
for financial support. The aim was to provide support to people with disabilities to pay for their own home care.
By 2012, their advocacy succeeded and they were given responsibility for administering such a system.
In the early 21st century CILT advocated against ableism and for better support for people with disabilities and improved access to COVID-19 vaccines.
History and activities
CILT was founded in 1984.
In 1993, CILT Executive Director Vic Willey advocated that governments provide funding needed for
home care
Homecare (home care, in-home care, care at home), also known as domiciliary care, personal care, community care, or social care, is health care or supportive care provided in the individual home where the patient or client is living, generally focu ...
services to people with disabilities.
In 2012, CILT started managing a $1.7 million per annum government-funded program called the ''Self-Managed Attendance Program''. The program initiated a new way of support people with disabilities by giving them the funds needed to hire home care.
CILT hosts the Parenting with a Disability Network.
In 2019, CILT co-sponsored a campaign to draw attention to the way in which people with disabilities are excluded from common activities.
In 2021, CILT's executive director became the inaugural chair of the
Toronto Accessibility Task Force on COVID-19.
CILT's paper "CILT: Empowerment and Independent Living" is cited in Dustin Gale's 2018 book ''Working Towards Equity Disability Rights Activism and Employment in Late Twentieth-century Canada.''
People
* Wendy Porch, executive director
*Ian Parker, senior adviser
*Sandra Carpenter, former executive director
*
Ing Wong-Ward, former associate director
*Vic Willey, former executive director
References
External links
Official website{{Disability navbox
1984 establishments in Ontario
Disability organizations based in Canada
Disability rights organizations
Organizations based in Toronto
Organizations established in 1984