May 29, 2025
THE CENTRE FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING IN TORONTO (CILT) CELEBRATES 40 YEARS OF EMPOWERING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES TO LIVE INDEPENDENTLY AND CONTROL THEIR OWN LIVES
Toronto, ON – The Centre for Independent Living in Toronto (CILT) will be capping off its 40th anniversary year of celebrations with an invite-only gala event on June 5, 2025, featuring organizational highlights, Independent Living milestones, awards, and a guest appearance from disabled comedian Courtney Gilmour.
The festivities will call for wider adoption of the Independent Living principles, which is an alternative to traditional medicalized models of disability that has been changing the way people view and respond to disability since CILT’s inception in 1985. CILT’s aim has been to develop and implement dignified services, programs and activities that empower people with disabilities through an inclusive peer-led approach.
Wendy Porch, Executive Director of CILT, emphasized the changing views on disability and how CILT has been working hard in collaboration with people with disabilities to support Independent Living in Toronto and in Ontario broadly. “In our lifetime’s, disabled people were regularly institutionalized and not in a position to live in the community,” said Porch. “I’m happy to say that we’ve come a long way since then… We have been working tirelessly for 40 years for social and economic equity for disabled people across all sectors of society. We’ll be thinking about the evolution of Independent Living and how we will continue to work together to support IL for disabled people.”
CILT’s staff and Board is largely represented by people with disabilities and serves hundreds of consumers across a variety of programs geared toward opportunities for people with disabilities to learn skills necessary for successful inclusion into society, including social and economic opportunities. Programs include the Attendant Service Application Centre, Independent Living Skills Training, Direct Funding, Peer Support, Parenting with a Disability Network, and more.
Ingrid Palmer, an award-winning speaker and bestselling author, shared her experience with CILT’s Parenting with a Disability Network, the only cross-disability network for parents and prospective parents with disabilities in Toronto and the GTA. “CILT has and continues to be a haven for parents with disabilities. They have produced research and resources to support families to raise their children and thrive in their choices and values just like other people get to do.”
CILT is also the provincial administrator of the Direct Funding program, a self-managed attendant services program which enables adults living with disabilities to manage their care by developing a schedule based on their individual needs. The program, which is celebrating its own 30th anniversary this year, eases pressure on Ontario Health atHome and other community support providers of homecare, freeing them up for other individuals.
Leisa DeBono, senior manager of the Direct Funding Program, noted Direct Funding has served hundreds of consumers over 30 years. “This program was designed by people with disabilities for people with disabilities,” said DeBono. “It is ideal for individuals who want more choice, flexibility and control in their lives. I have personally witnessed the life changing benefits of being able to choose, train and schedule the staff who help you with your activities of daily living!”
Although CILT’s 40th anniversary gala event on June 5 will be invite-only due to venue limitations, CILT will launch awareness campaigns following the event for people with disabilities and their allies to share what Independent Living means to them. Stay tuned for more event updates and opportunities to participate.
ABOUT CILT
The Centre for Independent Living in Toronto (CILT) is a non-profit resource organization run by people with disabilities and is dedicated to promoting the rights of people with disabilities through the Independent Living philosophy, which is the belief that disabled people should have the right to control their own lives, live with dignity in their chosen communities, and participate fully in all aspects of society. Significant contributions from cross-disability communities have been instrumental in shaping the impact and milestones CILT has achieved in our vision of social and economic equity for people with disabilities through Independent Living principles.
LEARN MORE:
ENGAGE WITH CILT ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CILTToronto/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cilttoronto7176
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ciltoronto/
For more information, please contact:
Raihan Hussain
Communications Coordinator, CILT
416-599-2458 ext. 221
