Information and Articles

Read our brochure for an overview of Windsor Essex Brokerage for Personal Supports.

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From Belonging Matters, read this tip sheet for ideas about how to meet new people and build meaningful friendships.

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From Belonging Matters, read this tip sheet for ideas about how to work toward a full, meaningful, inclusive life after school.

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From Belonging Matters, read this tip sheet for a number of helpful ways to build a welcoming and inclusive neighbourhood and community.

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From Belonging Matters, read this tip sheet for ideas about how to participate in and contribute to your neighbourhood and community.

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Led by their common vision of “a good life for people with disabilities as citizens within our communities,” in June 2005, 4 provincial grassroots organizations that represent people with disabilities and their families worked together to identify changes needed in Developmental Services in Ontario to support citizens with disabilities.

The Common Vision newsletters were developed by:

• Individualized Funding Coalition for Ontario (IFCO)
• Family Alliance Ontario (FAO)
• People First of Ontario (PFO)
• Special Services at Home/Passport Provincial Coalition (SSAH-PC)

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The Individualized Funding Coalition for Ontario (IFCO) and the Ontario Independent Facilitation Network (OIFN) have produced a number of impact charts to show the outcomes of Independent Facilitation.  These charts are based on OIFN-produced research, reports, and Collective Impact data.

Click here to view the charts

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In 2017, the Ontario Independent Facilitation Network (OIFN) complied this report, reflecting on the first 2 years of the Independent Facilitation Demonstration Project (IFDP).

The Independent Facilitation Demonstration Project (IFDP) was a collaboration involving OIFN, 7 Independent Facilitation Organizations (IFOs), including Brokerage, and the Ministry of Community and Social Services.

The intent of the IFDP was to explore the possibility of making Independent Facilitation a viable support option for people living with developmental disabilities and those who love them, as they pursue lives as valued citizens and contributing community members.

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This guide on Person-Directed Planning was written by the Individualized Funding Coalition for Ontario to assist people with disabilities, their families, friends, and trusted others with planning for the future.

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When people and families have control over money or funds from the government and can choose how to use funding, it is called Individualized Funding. People and their loved ones direct what happens with their Individualized Funding and choose how the money will be spent to support their lives in their neighbourhoods and communities.

The Individualized Funding Coalition for Ontario outlines 4 key principles of Individualized Funding:

• Self-determination
• Citizenship
• Flexibility and ease of access
• Ensuring safeguards

Download IFCO’s Statement of Principles to read more about what a direct individualized funding support system would look like for a person when these 4 dynamic principles are at work.

Visit the Individualized Funding Coalition for Ontario website to learn more about Individualized Funding:
https://blog.individualizedfunding.ca/

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In its Final Report: Generating Ideas and Enabling Action: Addressing the Housing Crisis Confronting Ontario Adults with Developmental Disabilities, the Developmental Services Housing Taskforce outlines the housing crisis in Ontario for people with developmental disabilities and offers recommendations for ongoing commitment and engagement relating to innovative housing options.

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In the Fall of 2015, a Housing Task Force collaborative project began in Windsor-Essex to support 8 people to realize their visions of safe and affordable housing and full lives in their chosen neighbourhoods and communities. Although the project ended in March 2018, people’s lives continue to be enriched, as they engage in new valued roles.

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Since 2010, Brokerage has partnered with Windsor-Essex Family Network and others to inspire people and families about what it means to have an affordable home to call one’s own.

The My Home, My Choice initiative looks at the many options and many different ways to prepare for living on one’s own someday, such as:

• Choosing a place to live that offers security, stability and sustainability in an inclusive neighbourhood and community.
• Living in a stand-alone house, secondary suite, townhouse, apartment, condominium, or housing co-op.
• Choosing to live alone, with a friend, or beside or with your family. 
• Renting or owning.
• Renovating within the family home or creating private space beside the family home.

For more information and resources on innovative housing options, please visit Windsor-Essex Family Network’s webpage: https://windsoressexfamnet.ca/my-home-my-choice-initiative/

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This resource booklet was developed in the community of St. Marys, Ontario to address the need for people with disabilities and limited incomes to have security of home.

This booklet was made by folks who were thinking about and acting on creative ways to offer affordable and accessible options for creating a home.

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This booklet from Resourcing Inclusive Communities includes a collection of true stories contributed by people and families to inspire possibilities about learning throughout life.

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In October 2020, the Planning for Success – Preparing Now for the Future Virtual Information Series was held, including four online sessions.
Here you will find information from these events, including some resource guides, Frequently Asked Questions, as well as the presentations that were shared on each topic:

• Housing and Finances
• Employment and Education
• Technology
• Recreation and Leisure

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Click below to download the presentations from the Planning for Success Information Session on October 7, 2020:

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Click below to download the presentations from the Planning for Success Information Session on October 14, 2020:

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Click below to download the presentations from the Planning for Success Information Session on October 21, 2020:

Enabling Technology Website

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Click below to download the presentations from the Planning for Success Information Session on October 28, 2020:

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A local My Home My Choice publication containing relevant information and a description of resources (Books and DVDs) to inspire and support people in Windsor-Essex along the journey to an everyday life as a citizen. All resources listed are available for borrowing from the lending libraries at Windsor-Essex Family Network and Windsor Essex Brokerage for Personal Supports.

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This guide from Resourcing Families provides an overview of Circles of Support and includes many ideas to help people and families get started to develop their own support networks.

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This manual from Resourcing Inclusive Communities provides a detailed review of support networks/circles of supports/circles of friends.
The guide includes many ideas and examples of:

• What a support circle is
• How a support circle can be helpful
• Who can be part of a support circle
• How to invite people to a support circle
• How to plan and host a support circle meeting

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This brochure talks about the importance of relationships in our lives and the roles that Networks and Microboards™ can play in supporting people with disabilities to explore opportunities, make decisions, and feel safe and secure throughout their lives.

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This resource from Windsor-Essex Family Network outlines current laws in Canada related to decision-making and explores the shift that is needed for people with disabilities to have dignity and autonomy through Supported-Decision Making.

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Supported decision-making is rooted in the belief that a person’s legal capacity is not measured by one’s mental capacity. In other words, people with disabilities have the right to be part of decisions that affect them. With supports in place, any person can be assisted to exercise choice and control in all personal and legal matters.

Developed by PooranLaw, this resource makes a case for supported decision-making to be recognized in Ontario and explores some options that would support people with disabilities to have control in decision-making.

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