Resources in Canada
Organizations
- Access Dome
Access Dome is "a Global Community dedicated to individuals seeking or offering products, services, information, and participation in ensuring that the Web is accessible to people with disabilities." AccessDome is a wholly owned subsidiary of IQNetCom Corp.
- Access Guide Canada
The mission of Access Guide Canada (AGC) is to bring together listings on accessible resources in Canada. Users are encouraged to add their own favorite accessible locations. Access Guide Canada is a project of the Canadian Abilities Foundation and is part of the organization's website, EnableLink.
- Access to Travel (Transport Canada)
Access to Travel provides information on accessible transportation and travel across Canada with the aim of making traveling an easier and more enjoyable experience for people with disabilities. The development of this Web site was spearheaded by Transport Canada in cooperation with other Canadian government departments, provincial governments and not-for-profit associations.
- Accessible Canadian Adventures
Accessible Canadian Adventures (ACA) designs, coordinates and arranges hunting, fishing and wildlife photography adventures specifically for sportsmen and women with disabilities.
- AccessRamps.ca
AccessRamps.ca is one of a group of informational websites based in south-central Ontario, Canada. The site provides fact sheets on wheelchair ramps in general and specific information on a variety of wheelchair ramps from several manufacturers. The products on this web site can, for the most part be purchased at SpinLife.com. The fact sheets were written by Dave Stewart, who worked in the home health care business after 1985 in several capacities including delivery, service, inside sales and outside sales. The product page information is based on the manufacturers literature, edited to fit the formatting of the web site.
- Active Living Alliance
This site is a database of information regarding ways to have a healthy and active life with a Disability.
- Adaptive Technology Resource Centre
The Adaptive Technology Resource Centre advances information technology that is accessible to all; through research, development, education, proactive design consultation and direct service.
- Aging, Rehabilitation & Geriatric Care Research Centre, Lawson Health Research Institute
- ALS Society of Canada
The ALS Society of Canada supports research towards a cure for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS); supports provincial ALS societies in their provision of quality care for persons living with ALS; and builds public awareness of ALS and its impact. The ALS Society's publication, The Northern Neuron, is available on the organization's web site, or a hard copy may be requested from the ALS Society.
- Amputee and Disability Resource Directory for Canadian Amputees
This site offers an amputee and disability resource directory for Canada, including links to the Amputee Phantom Pain Support Group, amputee humor and stories, news and more for the active or new amputee.
- Amputee Web Site
This site "is designed primarily to help out amputees on a peer to peer basis." There also are resources for "friends and families of amputees, doctors, prosthetists, teachers, PE instructors, physical therapists or anyone wanting to know more about amputation." The site works with the Amputee listserve hosted by St. John's Unversity in New York.
- Assistive Technology Links
This Canadian site offers information about assistive technologies and programs and services related to technical accommodations.
- Augmentative Communication Community Partnerships - Canada (ACCPC)
Augmentative Communication Community Partnerships - Canada (ACCPC) is a Canada-wide non-profit organization that supports people who have communication disabilities and who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Projects have focused on prevention of sexual abuse, early literacy, safety issues, and access to the legal system.
- Blind Sailing Association of Canada
The mission of the Blind Sailing Association of Canada is to enable persons who are blind or vision impaired to participate in integrated community sailing. Instruction is provided by Canadian Yachting Association instructors or experienced sailors. Blind sailors gain experience in recreational sailing with the assistance of sighted volunteers.
- Bloorview Kids Rehab ( Formerly Bloorview MacMillan Children's Centre Rehabilitation Engineering Department)
Bloorview Kids Rehab assesses and treats children born with disabilities and special needs and those who acquire disabilities through serious illness or accidents. Children with complex disabilities access services at Bloorview on an inpatient or ambulatory basis according to their needs. Bloorview helps clients transition to adult services when they turn eighteen. Bloorview offers inpatient, outpatient and day patient services in three main program groupings – Child Development, Community, and Rehab and Complex Continuing Care.
- Braille Jymico, Inc.
Braille Jymico is a Canadian company that produces a variety of braille material including scientific braille (Nemeth code), tactile graphics, and musical braille. The site is in English and French.
- British Columbia Mobility Opportunities Society (BCMOS)
BCMOS is an independent non-profit society dedicated to enriching the lives of people with significant physical disabilities through wilderness recreation activities. Excursions range from day hikes to challenging treks. In 2007, BCMOS added a new gliding program and, in conjunction with Mountain Equipment Co-op, a series of challenging two-day hikes with overnight camping called Access Adventure.
- Canadian Centre on Disability Studies
This site lists information on current disability studies and research, education, and information distribution.
- Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work
A site that relays several employment aids to those with disabilities. There are contacts that help you find employment opportunities and accommodations regarding jobs.
- Canadian Health Network
The Canadian Health Network is "a national, non-profit, bilingual web-based health information service. CHN's goal is to help Canadians find the information they're looking for on how to stay healthy and prevent disease. This network of health information providers includes the Public Health Agency of Canada, Health Canada and national and provincial/territorial non-profit organizations, as well as universities, hospitals, libraries and community organizations." The 'Living with Disabilities' section includes information on Types of Disabilities, Rights & Advocacy, Independent Living, Parenting, and Fitness and Recreation.
- Canadian Hearing Society
Founded in 1940, the Canadian Hearing Society (CHS) offers a complete roster of essential services, including sign language interpreting; one-on-one language development for children who are deaf or hard of hearing using play as the medium of learning; employment consulting; sign language instruction; speech reading training; hearing testing; hearing aids; counselling; and a complete range of communication devices that assist and augment communication, including TTYs (text telephones), visual smoke detectors, baby monitors, signalling devices and alarm clocks.
- Canadian Wheelchair Sports Association
The Canadian Wheelchair Sports Association (CWSA) is a national sport organization representing wheelchair athletes. It is an incorporated, not-for-profit, organization recognized by Sport Canada whose mission is to promote excellence and develop opportunities for Canadians in wheelchair sport.
- Cantor Access, Inc.
Cantor Access helps make workplaces, schools, and services accessible to those with disabilities.
- Centre for Independent Living in Toronto, Inc.
The Centre's site has many links to aid people with disabilities in their quest for independent living. CILT is dedicated to the betterment of living in Toronto. This site has links on funding, employment, IL skills training, referrals, parenting, peer support, resources, books, and other helpful links.
- Cerebral Palsy International Sport and Recreation Association
The Cerebral Palsy International Sports and Recreation Association (CPISRA) was founded in 1978 to support athletes with cerebral palsy and related neurological conditions, and give them an opportunity to participate in sports. CPISRA is founding member of the International Paralympic Committee, and it governs two sports in the Paralympic program - 7-a-side football (a version of soccer adapted for athletes with disabilities) and boccia.
- CNIB
CNIB is a national voluntary agency providing services to blind and visually impaired individuals across Canada in personal and social adjustments. It acts as a consultant and resource agency to the helping professions, government departments and private industry. CNIB also provides library services; career development and employment services; counselling and referral; rehabilitation teaching; orientation and mobility training; and vision rehabilitation. The site is in English and French.
- Common Look and Feel for the Internet
The Treasury Board of Canada developed the CLF standards to ensure that Web sites supported by the Canadian government are usable and accessible. The site provides resources and information to assist Canadian federal government departments and agencies with the implementation of the CLF Standards.
- ConnecTra
ConnecTra assists job-ready individuals in British Columbia in the pursuit of employment and volunteer opportunities.
- Disability Cool
This site is somewhat dated (last updated in 1998); however, it still contains general content of various aspects of living with a disability.
- Disabled Independent Gardeners Association (DIGA)
DIGA was created in 1987 to enable gardeners to share their passion for plants and flowers with people with disabilities.
- Disabled Peoples' International
"A major goal of Disabled Peoples' International is the full participation of all disabled people in the mainstream of life, particularly those in developing countries, who make up the vast majority of the world's 500 million disabled people."
- Disabled Sailing Association of British Columbia (DSA)
The Disabled Sailing Association of British Columbia provides opportunities for recreational and competitive sailing for individuals with significant disabilities, as well as instruction for first-time sailors. The core program is outfitted for a variety of disabilities and sailing skill levels. With the Sip n' Puff control system and the Martin 16 sailboat available through DSA even high quadriplegics with no movement below the neck can sail. Currently DSA has over 250 participants and 70 volunteers.
- Disabled Women's Network Ontario
A volunteer organization dedicated to obtain the equal rights of women with disabilities. They work through public education, coalition building, lobbying, advocacy, and resource development and information and communication technology.
- Easter Seals New Brunswick (formerly New Brunswick Easter Seal March of Dimes - CRCD)
Easter Seals New Brunswick programs and services include referrals, advocacy, equipment loans and recycling, equipment repair services, assistive technology assessment services, a software preview center, a single-switch toy library, library and information services, the Canadian Health Network (an online health information service), and Camp Rotary (an annual camp for children with disabilities).
- Hanen Centre
"A recognized innovator in family-focused early language intervention programs and learning resources for parents and professionals around the world."
- Hearing Aids 101
Hearing Aids 101 is an independent Web site designed to help consumers learn about the wide variety of hearing aids and related products on the market today.
- HearingCenterOnline.com
Sponsored by Audiotech, a hearing healthcare firm, HearingCenterOnline.com provides information on products for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. The site also has a variety of other resources including a links page and a listing of books and videos.
- Inclusion Press
A small independent press striving to produce readable, accessible, user-friendly books and resources about full inclusion in school, work, and community.
- International Federation on Ageing
The IFA is a membership-based network of organizations, bodies and individuals with a mission to improve the quality of life for older people around the world through policy change, grassroots partnerships, and strengthening bridges between public and private sectors relating to ageing issues.
- International Society of Augmentative and Alternative Communication
The International Society for AAC works to improve the life of every child and adult with speech difficulties. ISAAC started in 1983 and has thousands of members in 50 countries with chapters in 14 countries.
- Learning Disabilities Association of Mississauga, Conference Committee
This organization seeks to provide leadership in learning disabilities advocacy, research, education, and services to advance full participation of people with learning disabilities in society.
- Liberated Learning Consortium
The Liberated Learning Consortium is a consortium of university and insdustry research centers dedicated to improving information accessibility through speech recognition technology. Its goals are (1) using speech recognition technology to automatically transcribe spoken language and display it as readable text, and (2) using speech recognition to produce accessible, multimedia transcripts.
- Lions Foundation of Canada
Lions Foundation of Canada trains dog guides for Canadians who are blind or visually impaired, are deaf or hard of hearing, or have medically and physically limiting disabilities. All programs are offered at no charge to the client, but future care and maintenance become the responsibility of the dog guide recipient.
- MobilityScooter Reviews
This site is maintained by Glenn Coleman, an Internet author and publisher, and offers comparisons of mobility scooters and ramps, as well as checklists for new scooter buyers, scooter users, and scooter users planning to travel by bus or air. The information is based upon the author's study and experience.
- National Federation of the Blind: Advocates for Equality
The National Federation of the Blind: Advocates for Equality is a Canadian consumer group of blind, partially sighted, and deaf-blind adults, parents of the aforementioned and other interested individuals, with a common goal to preserve and enhance the rights of such persons in Canada through public education, advocacy, and other initiatives.
- National Institute of Disability Management and Research
NIDMAR is a Canadian institute the focuses on the implementation of workplace-based reintegration programs which international research has proven is the most effective way of restoring and maintaining workers' abilities, while reducing the costs of disability for workers, employers, government and insurance carriers. The Institute's success is the result of collaborative initiatives undertaken by leaders in labor, business, government, education, insurance and rehabilitation.
- Ontario March of Dimes Directory for Accessibility
The Ontario March of Dimes Directory for Accessibility lists Ontario-based companies and organizations that provide services or assistance for people with disabilities. The Directory lists information on architects, contractors and consultants that create environments accessible for people with disabilities; assistive technology; communication devices; consultation and training resources; ergonomic consultation and assessment; employment accommodation and disability management in the workplace; employee assistance counseling; and more.
- Ontario Sailing Association - Able Sail
Sponsored by the Ontario Sailing Association, Able Sail provides training in accessible sailing, sponsors races, and has an accessible boat loan program. Its web site contains links to a wide range of resources to meet the information needs of people with disabilities who are interested in sailing.
- Opportunities for the Disabled Foundation
OFTDF is a Canadian voluntary member organization with a mission to unite communities, through public awareness campaigns, to support physically challenged Canadians, and poverty stricken individuals living with physical disabilities.
- Parenting with a Disability Network (Canada)
The Parenting with a Disability Network (PDN) is a peer support and information-sharing network for parents and prospective parents with a disability. The aim of the PDN is to help families develop unique solutions to parenting challenges by providing opportunities for education, information-sharing, networking and peer support. The PDN is operated by the Centre for Independent Living in Toronto.
- Prince Edward Island Council of the Disabled
The PEI Council of the Disabled was formed in 1974 by concerned people with disabilities. Its original mandate was to speak out on issues such as housing, education, employment, transportation, human rights and access to support services, all of which it continues to address today. The Mission Statement of the Council of the Disabled is "to improve the status of persons with disabilities through full participation and inclusion in society".
- Remote-Ability
This site offers information on unique assistive products, concentrating on wheelchairs and mobility products.
- Rick Hansen Institute
The Rick Hansen Institute was created to help find a cure for paralysis and improve the health and quality of life of people with spinal cord injuries. The Institute is a founding member of a consortium of some of the world's most prominent private spinal cord injury research funders.
- Sam Sullivan Disability Foundation
"The Disability Foundation exists to help people with significant disabilities living in the community achieve quality of life. It was created through the initiative of quadriplegic Sam Sullivan to meet the challenges created when people with significant disabilities move out of institutions into the community." The foundation helps people of all disabilities and situations in Vancouver and British Columbia.
- SNOW - Special Needs Ontario Window
SNOW is an education service of the Adaptive Technology Resource Centre, providing online information about assistive technology and special education.
- Speaking Differently
Speaking Differently is an organization for persons with disabilities who communicate using augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) methods, their families, friends and those who work with them.
- Spinal Cord Injury Peer Information Library on Technology
SCI PILOT consists of the stories of individuals with quadriplegia who have incorporated assistive devices into their own lives. Each story is based on an in-depth interview. The articles on this site offer advice and strategies from those who have first hand experience in getting and using assistive devices, and descriptions of practical, homemade inventions that solve real-world problems. SCI PILOT is managed from The Toronto (Canada) Rehabilitation Institute, in partnership with the Bloorview MacMillan Centre. SCI PILOT is supported by a grant from the Paralyzed Veterans of America Spinal Cord Injury Education and Training Foundation.
- Sterling Frazer Associates
Sterling Frazer provides market research and brokering services to help inventors of assistive products get those products on the market. They are strategically located along the U.S.-Canada border in southern Ontario so they are able to work with both countries' markets.
- TenTen Sinclair Housing Inc. - Partners in Indepen
An accessible transitional apartment complex for people with disabilities in Winnipeg. Also active in development and promotion of accessible housing and independent living services.
- Tetra Society of North America
The purpose of Tetra is to recruit skilled volunteer engineers and technicians to create assistive devices for people with disabilities. Volunteer engineers, design technicians, and health professionals work one to one with their clients to make assistive aids or modifications to their environments.
- Touring Friends Assisted Travel Association
A non-profit, registered charity in Guelph, Ontario, Touring Friends Assisted Travel Association was established to deliver therapeutic and enrichment experiences to persons with a disability, illness, or apprehension, physical or mental.
- Vancouver Adaptive Music Society (VAMS)
- Voiceprint Canada
This site offers an online audio broadcast (Windows Media Player is all that is required). VoicePrint is a free 24-hour news and information audio service. Every day, volunteer readers record full-length articles, columns and feature reports related to news and sports, health, entertainment, science and more. Content is selected from more than 100 Canadian newspapers and magazines.
- WheelchairCanada
Wheelchair.ca is primarily an information source for people seeking information on wheelchairs, lifts, and other home medical equipment. The site also offers fact sheets, a detailed list of funding sources, a book shop, and discussion board.
- Workshop Solutions (Canada)
This site acts as a meeting place for engineers, inventors, and manufacturers to discuss various assistive technology products. It is also possible for consumers to reach these personnel, although this site itself is not a product supplier.
