CILT

Peer Connect
2025-10-29 13:00 - 14:15, 2025-11-26 13:00 - 14:15, 2025-12-17 13:00 - 14:15 (America/Toronto) | Virtual
CILT Peer Connect is a monthly virtual peer support meeting for a cross-disability group of adults facilitated by staff with lived experience.
To register or for more info email rebecca.wood@cilt.ca  or phone: 416-599-2458 ext 291 TTY: Dial 711 for Bell Relay Service

In every session we have:
-A check in where people can share their name, pronouns, a joy and a challenge they have experienced since our last meeting

-A discussion topic or wellness activity

-Resource sharing about any upcoming programs, events, media or information related to disability

-A check out

CILT’s Peer Connect operates within the Independent Living philosophy and is an opportunity to show up in a group where we are experts on our own lives and our own needs. We may all have different lived experience of disability, but this group is an opportunity to share and discuss what works for us and hear about what works for others so that we have a choice of strategies as we navigate the world and thrive. IL philosophy believes we have the right to take control of our own lives by exercising the right to examine options, make choices, take risks and even make mistakes.

This group is grounded in principles of Disability Justice, including the principles of anti-oppression and of interdependence. We recognize that intersecting identities inform lived experience and welcome this experience in Peer Connect.

Group Agreements and discussion topics will be sent out when you register. You will receive a reminder email one week before the program and a zoom link the day before. Please be ready to participate in activity and discussion.
Let us know about any access needs when you register. There is an option to join these sessions by phone. Automatic closed captioning will be provided. ASL-English interpretation is available if requested in advance.

This program is available for Ontario residents. To register you will be asked to provide your first and last name and what city you will be joining from.

To register or for more info email rebecca.wood@cilt.ca  or phone: 416-599-2458 ext 291 TTY: Dial 711 for Bell Relay Service
To find out about other programs and events at CILT please join our mailing list: https://cilt.ca/about-us/mailing-list/
You are also welcome to join our Peer Support facebook group:  www.facebook.com/groups/ciltpeersupport/

Access Healthcare: Beyond the AODA
2025-10-29 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-11-04 18:00 - 20:00, 2025-11-06 09:00 - 11:00, 2025-11-10 14:00 - 16:00
The Centre for Independent Living in Toronto is pleased to introduce:
Access Healthcare: Beyond the AODA
A disability access and inclusion workshop for health care providers.
Free.
2 hours.
Virtually on Zoom.
Multiple dates through Fall 2025.

Registration: https://BeyondAODA.eventbrite.ca

Centring disabled and Deaf experiences in accessing health care, this workshop is designed and delivered by people with lived experiences of disability and diverse intersecting identities. At the end of this workshop, you will learn more about:

The impact systems of ableism have on health care practices and outcomes.
Applying rights and justice-based models of disability to your work and practice.
Implementing solutions to common access and inclusion challenges.

Participants who attend and fill out an evaluation will also receive:

A set of practical companion tools
A certificate of completion

More info:
amanda.dorter@cilt.ca
(416) 599-2458 x242
cilt.ca/idea-in-healthcare
Access notes:
Workshops are interactive, will have PPT slides, and have auto captioning enabled. Please let us know your other access needs, including ASL, plain text materials, etc., when registering. Some access needs may require 72 hours notice.
Funding provided by the Province of Ontario.

Disabled Writers' Drop-In
2025-11-05 14:00 - 15:00, 2025-12-10 14:00 - 15:00
Disabled Writers’ Drop-In
This monthly virtual meet up is a chance for a cross-disability group of writers to connect and write in community. Beginners and experienced writer’s are welcome! This is a chance to spend an hour together to make some room for our writing.
Whether you use voice to text, a pen and paper, a brailler, typing or bringing someone with you to transcribe when writing, all methods of playing with words are welcome!

This program occurs the first Wednesday of every month from 2pm-3pm.
Each Drop-In Includes:
-Opening go around sharing the successes and challenges of our writing this month
-20-25 minutes of writing time together. A prompt will be given but you are welcome to bring anything you like to work on.
-After writing we share lines or words to create a collective poem.
-Resource Wrap Up where we can share any opportunities, workshops, publication calls, events, etc. that might be of interest to the group.
-We end by reading a poem by a disabled writer.

Registration:
This program is available for Ontario residents.
To register you will be asked to provide your first and last name and what city you will be joining from.
Please contact rebecca.wood@cilt.ca with any questions or to register to receive emails with meeting reminders a week before, the zoom link week of and resources following the Drop-In.

Access:
Please let us know about any access needs when you register. Automatic Closed Captions will be turned on. ASL-English interpretation will be provided upon request.
For more information about this program and to read our past collective poems visit https://cilt.ca/programs-and-services/peer-support/disabled-writers-drop-in/
More about Disability in Writing at CILT here https://cilt.ca/programs-and-services/peer-support/disability-in-writing-at-cilt/
You may also want to join our Disabled Writers’ Drop-In facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ciltdisabledwriters

CILT’s International Day for People with Disabilities (IDPWD) Webinar
2025-12-03 13:00 - 15:00
Centre for Independent Living in Toronto (CILT) and Community Partners are pleased to invite you to our virtual celebration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities Dec 3, 2025: Resisting Ableism, Building Community and Hope
Description:
This celebration is an annual observance of the International Day of Disabled Persons, proclaimed in 1992 by the United Nations (UN).
The celebration will provide community members with a discussion around this year’s theme – Resisting Ableism, Building Community and Hope for the dignity, rights, and well-being of persons with disabilities.
We will have community speakers from Toronto and other parts of Canada presenting about Community Action Projects, critical disability justice issues, Art as Acts of Resistance, and collective action work being done to address their impact on disabled and Deaf communities.
When: Wednesday December 3, 2025, 1:00-3:00 PM Eastern Time (Canada)
Access Supports: ASL-English interpretation and CART Captioning will be provided.
If you require any access accommodations, please let us know in the Access Accommodation section of the registration by Nov 26, 2025.

Register in advance for this meeting at:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/a1XmyDUsQUiRCZzUhutH-Q

This celebration will be an engaging discussion on:
1) United Nations IDPWD’s Theme 2025
2) Community Action Speakers:

Inclusion Canada ’s Barrier-Free Benefits Program

Frame by Frame Disabled Artists Short Films

Ase Community Foundation for Black Canadians with Disabilities

Disability Justice Network Ontario

CILT Writers Drop-In

3) Question and Answers Segment
4) Resources
If you need assistance with registering, please e-mail robin.simmons@cilt.ca or call 416-599-2458 ext. 293. Please note, you will not be able to join the session without registering first. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
