CILT@CIL_Toronto

a non-profit centre run by and for people with disabilities. We promote independent living and social and economic equity for people with disabilities

 Toronto, Ontario
cilt.ca
Joined January 2014
407 Photos and videos
Join us on Friday at 7pm following CILT's Annual General Meeting for the presentation of the 2026 CILT Awards and our new strategic plan launch for 2026-2031! If you are interested in attending the virtual Zoom meeting, please email us at cilt@cilt.ca to receive the join link.
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Please note if you have already registered for the AGM event, you already have the link to join the meeting and do not need to request a new link.
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This is someone's testimony. You are free to have your doubts but this is irresponsible, unprofessional, inappropriately flippant and ignorant way to express them. Personally I find it quite plausible (and not because I oppose MAiD). Listen to the context. 1/
Tyler Black, MD
@tylerblack32
Sep 12
Of all the things that never happened in the history of never happening, a psychologist very likely did not come into this woman's room and offer her MAiD
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Location change! Due to road closures, #TDPM has reported tonight that the march begins at Allan Gardens, west side, NOT Queens Park! Wheeltrans drop off: #19 Horticultural Avenue.
ODSP ActionCoalition@ODSPAction
Aug 5
Toronto Disability Pride March’s 15th anniversary! WHEN: Sept 12th, 2026, 1pm to 6pm WHERE: Queen's Park to Grange Park Toronto, Ontario For more info, ceck out TDPM.org
Poster for Toronto Disability Pride March’s 15th anniversary. At the top left, it reads 12 September 2026, 1-6 pm. On the top right, it reads Queen’s Park to Grange Park. Below it reads 15th year of Toronto’s Disability Pride March. Around the title are four hands of differing skin tones hand spelling TDPM, and below, a QR code that leads you to TDPM.org. Below it features TDPM’s four founders with raised fists. From left to right is Kevin Jackson, an Indigenous man with a brown cap, rectangle glasses, Melissa Graham, a white woman with black glasses sitting in her electric wheelchair. Janet Rodriguez, a Peruvian woman with a green top with a landscape-patterned vest. And Beverly Smith, a Black woman with a pink tuque multi-colour patterned scarf, a turquoise sweater, and a blanket on her lap as she sits in her electric wheelchair. At the very bottom, under text that says access guide; it has our social media handle @TorontoDisabilityPrideMarch and our website www.TDPM.org.

ALT Poster for Toronto Disability Pride March’s 15th anniversary. At the top left, it reads 12 September 2026, 1-6 pm. On the top right, it reads Queen’s Park to Grange Park. Below it reads 15th year of Toronto’s Disability Pride March. Around the title are four hands of differing skin tones hand spelling TDPM, and below, a QR code that leads you to TDPM.org. Below it features TDPM’s four founders with raised fists. From left to right is Kevin Jackson, an Indigenous man with a brown cap, rectangle glasses, Melissa Graham, a white woman with black glasses sitting in her electric wheelchair. Janet Rodriguez, a Peruvian woman with a green top with a landscape-patterned vest. And Beverly Smith, a Black woman with a pink tuque multi-colour patterned scarf, a turquoise sweater, and a blanket on her lap as she sits in her electric wheelchair. At the very bottom, under text that says access guide; it has our social media handle @TorontoDisabilityPrideMarch and our website www.TDPM.org.
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Thank you very much for the words and the work and partnerships that we had through those years. They’ve always been fantastic.
CILT@CIL_Toronto
Sep 7
Replying to @AMIKellyMac
Congratulations Kelly. You are a living pioneer of accessible media and champion of disabled journalists in Canada. Thanks from your dedicated service! 🔥👏🏽
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Jacques went from a life that was "mandated” to a life he controlled. "When I got on the Direct Funding program, I got my liberty back. I was able to do almost what I wanted, when I wanted." For more info about Direct Funding: tinyurl.com/yc6z3dss
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Thank you to everyone who applied for the CILT Awards! We got plenty of applications across all streams and recipients will be announced this month. CILT is privileged to recognize disabled people for their outstanding contributions in promoting and embodying Independent Living
CILT@CIL_Toronto
Jun 12
The annual CILT Awards are OPEN for submissions! Check out all the links in this post and consider applying. Sandra Carpenter Award for Artists: tinyurl.com/2yhmrxxr Helen Henderson Literary Award: tinyurl.com/4ybeaer7 Vic Willi Award for Youth: tinyurl.com/4y4j4dc8
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Just a few more days to apply as the CILT Awards submissions close on September 1, 2026. Submit your application now or share this with someone that might be interested!
CILT@CIL_Toronto
Jun 12
The annual CILT Awards are OPEN for submissions! Check out all the links in this post and consider applying. Sandra Carpenter Award for Artists: tinyurl.com/2yhmrxxr Helen Henderson Literary Award: tinyurl.com/4ybeaer7 Vic Willi Award for Youth: tinyurl.com/4y4j4dc8
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Some are apparently upset by this tweet (which happens to be supported by evidence). Fearing poverty is rational. This necessarily leads to wishing to avoid it. For multiple political & psychological reasons people place blame on the person(s) not the systemic causes.
stephanie allen@builtjustice
Aug 22
Ppl are so afraid of being poor. We do everything—depending on the circumstances you’re born into—to not be poor. That’s why many hate poor ppl & advocate for the govt to punish them, esp homeless & disabled ppl. They’re mad at the system but direct their hate at the victim.
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Yesterday at "Have Your Say" we engaged about 60 disabled/Deaf voters & allies to build knowledge on crises like disability poverty and inaccessible housing. They joined minds in breakout rooms to shape platform calls to candidates seeking their vote! #TorontoElections #TOpoli
ALT Description of Photo: At top of zoom screen are zoom tiles with head shots of 2 people. One of them is speaker. The other is an ASL Interpreter. Below this is a PowerPoint slide with white background. Below title is: What is our vision? Under it: The city must have uphold the right to housing and reduce the housing wait list by building and protecting affordable accessible and well-maintained homes How will be achieved that vision? 6 action calls are listed: · Keep building affordable and accessible housing and shelters · Protect, maintain and expand affordable housing · Crack down on bad landlords · Protect tenants · Protect unhoused communities · Combat neighborhood displacement Below that: A City for All logo with title in large white caps A CITY FOR ALL: A collective call for change.

ALT ALT Description of Photo: At top of zoom screen are zoom tiles with head shots of 2 people. One of them is speaker. The other is an ASL Interpreter. Below this is a PowerPoint slide with white background. Below title is: What is our vision? Under it: The city must have uphold the right to housing and reduce the housing wait list by building and protecting affordable accessible and well-maintained homes How will be achieved that vision? 6 action calls are listed: · Keep building affordable and accessible housing and shelters · Protect, maintain and expand affordable housing · Crack down on bad landlords · Protect tenants · Protect unhoused communities · Combat neighborhood displacement Below that: A City for All logo with title in large white caps A CITY FOR ALL: A collective call for change.

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Shoutouts to event partners, @GTADC1, @planningtoronto & @TTCriders, for presentations on rights-based policy & advocacy solutions. Tnx Toronto Elections for sharing hands on info on accessible voting process. Next week we'll share links to event recording, slides & action calls!
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Direct Funding allowed Marilyn’s husband to return to work as her attendants spoke her language and understood her unique situation. “I can express myself clearly, maybe just through one or two words, and they would understand.” More on Direct Funding: tinyurl.com/yc6z3dss
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CILT is accepting applications to join the Board of Directors until September 4! Help CILT to empower people with disabilities to live independently and take control of their own lives. Check out the website for more information on how to apply: cilt.ca/join-cilts-board-of-…
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It's 90 minutes from our virtual HAVE YOUR SAY election forum in partnership with the GTA Disability Coalition! There's still time to register if you're interested and able to attend! with @ttcriders & @PlanningToronto. 1PM -3PM on Zoom. Link to register: l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https…
CILT@CIL_Toronto
Aug 14
We're still taking registration for our August 20 "HAVE YOUR SAY" Town Hall on Toronto's fall election. We invite disabled voters to help shape platform action calls on disability poverty, housing & more to send to candidates seeking our vote! #CripTheVote l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https…
Poster Title: Centre for Independent Living in Toronto and GTA Disability Coalition present: Have Your Say: Shape Disability Inclusion in City of Toronto’s 2026 Election Thursday August 20, 1:00pm -3:00pm Est, On zoom. Purple megaphone graphic show to right of date Bringing together partners engaged in Toronto’s 2026 election, our event provides a non-partisan platform for disability community members, allies and organizations to participate in Toronto 2026 election through an intersectional disability and accessibility lens. This is a registered event and spaces are limited. Please sign up using this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/.../register/ao2xB-OhR725o7yKq_LMww Access: ASL & CART available. If you require assistance signing up, please contact Robin Simmons at robin.simmons@cilt.ca For more info about our work, please visit GTADC.ca and CILT.ca. GTADC & CILT Logo

ALT Poster Title: Centre for Independent Living in Toronto and GTA Disability Coalition present: Have Your Say: Shape Disability Inclusion in City of Toronto’s 2026 Election Thursday August 20, 1:00pm -3:00pm Est, On zoom. Purple megaphone graphic show to right of date Bringing together partners engaged in Toronto’s 2026 election, our event provides a non-partisan platform for disability community members, allies and organizations to participate in Toronto 2026 election through an intersectional disability and accessibility lens. This is a registered event and spaces are limited. Please sign up using this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/.../register/ao2xB-OhR725o7yKq_LMww Access: ASL & CART available. If you require assistance signing up, please contact Robin Simmons at robin.simmons@cilt.ca For more info about our work, please visit GTADC.ca and CILT.ca. GTADC & CILT Logo

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We're still taking registration for our August 20 "HAVE YOUR SAY" Town Hall on Toronto's fall election. We invite disabled voters to help shape platform action calls on disability poverty, housing & more to send to candidates seeking our vote! #CripTheVote l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https…
Poster Title: Centre for Independent Living in Toronto and GTA Disability Coalition present: Have Your Say: Shape Disability Inclusion in City of Toronto’s 2026 Election Thursday August 20, 1:00pm -3:00pm Est, On zoom. Purple megaphone graphic show to right of date Bringing together partners engaged in Toronto’s 2026 election, our event provides a non-partisan platform for disability community members, allies and organizations to participate in Toronto 2026 election through an intersectional disability and accessibility lens. This is a registered event and spaces are limited. Please sign up using this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/.../register/ao2xB-OhR725o7yKq_LMww Access: ASL & CART available. If you require assistance signing up, please contact Robin Simmons at robin.simmons@cilt.ca For more info about our work, please visit GTADC.ca and CILT.ca. GTADC & CILT Logo

ALT Poster Title: Centre for Independent Living in Toronto and GTA Disability Coalition present: Have Your Say: Shape Disability Inclusion in City of Toronto’s 2026 Election Thursday August 20, 1:00pm -3:00pm Est, On zoom. Purple megaphone graphic show to right of date Bringing together partners engaged in Toronto’s 2026 election, our event provides a non-partisan platform for disability community members, allies and organizations to participate in Toronto 2026 election through an intersectional disability and accessibility lens. This is a registered event and spaces are limited. Please sign up using this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/.../register/ao2xB-OhR725o7yKq_LMww Access: ASL & CART available. If you require assistance signing up, please contact Robin Simmons at robin.simmons@cilt.ca For more info about our work, please visit GTADC.ca and CILT.ca. GTADC & CILT Logo

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Join us and @CIL_Toronto for our upcoming election event! Have Your Say: Shape Disability Inclusion in City of Toronto’s 2026 Election When: Thursday August 20, 1:00pm – 3:00pm Where: Online (Zoom) Details and link to register here: gtadc.ca/actions/
Centre for Independent Living in Toronto and GTA Disability Coalition Present: Have Your Say: Shape Disability Inclusion in City of Toronto’s 2026 Election. Date: Thursday August 20 Time: 1:00pm – 3:00pm Location: Online (Zoom) By bringing together partners who are engaged in the City of Toronto’s 2026 election, our event will provide a non-partisan platform for disability community members, allies, and organizations to participate in the City of Toronto 2026 election through an intersectional disability and accessibility lens. Featuring presentations by: Social Planning Toronto, TTCriders, and Toronto Elections. This is a registered event and spaces are limited. Details and link to register at GTADC.ca/actions. Access: ASL-English interpretation, CART and a live notetaker will be available. GTADC.ca

ALT Centre for Independent Living in Toronto and GTA Disability Coalition Present: Have Your Say: Shape Disability Inclusion in City of Toronto’s 2026 Election. Date: Thursday August 20 Time: 1:00pm – 3:00pm Location: Online (Zoom) By bringing together partners who are engaged in the City of Toronto’s 2026 election, our event will provide a non-partisan platform for disability community members, allies, and organizations to participate in the City of Toronto 2026 election through an intersectional disability and accessibility lens. Featuring presentations by: Social Planning Toronto, TTCriders, and Toronto Elections. This is a registered event and spaces are limited. Details and link to register at GTADC.ca/actions. Access: ASL-English interpretation, CART and a live notetaker will be available. GTADC.ca
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CILT was heartbroken at the news of Jacques LeBlanc's passing. Jacques was a former CILT Board Chair, recipient of the Founders' Award, and on the Direct Funding program for 21 years as a staunch advocate for Independent Living. Check out tribute: cilt.ca/cilt-remembers-jacqu…
Jacques wearing a blue checkered collared shirt, thin black frame glasses and silver watch with the Founders' Award plaque resting in his lap.

ALT Jacques wearing a blue checkered collared shirt, thin black frame glasses and silver watch with the Founders' Award plaque resting in his lap.

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Right now at our Independent Living Across the Lifespan forum, disabled panelists advocate for the human right of disabled people to control their life choices, with access to adequate resources and incomes needed to thrive as full societal citizens! Right to #IndependentLiving
4 adults are shown seated at a panel table. From left to right, Fran Odette, Logan Wong, Danielle Daoust and Hazel Self.

ALT 4 adults are shown seated at a panel table. From left to right, Fran Odette, Logan Wong, Danielle Daoust and Hazel Self.

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Recently, two inspirational individuals passed away who encapsulated the Independent Living movement and worked to represent disabled people. Please check out the tributes on the CILT website. Donald Barrie: tinyurl.com/tb8wdkpy Cathy Samuelson: tinyurl.com/2drxw4fy
Don Barrie wearing a red shirt with the words "Unbreakable Spirit" and black framed glasses

ALT Don Barrie wearing a red shirt with the words "Unbreakable Spirit" and black framed glasses

Cathy Samuelson wearing a black sweater with zebra coloured inner shirt/scarf.

ALT Cathy Samuelson wearing a black sweater with zebra coloured inner shirt/scarf.

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This July, CILT will be hosting the first annual "CILT Forum on Independent Living." This event will discuss ways to strengthen IL as a priority and amplify our collective voice as disabled people. The theme is “Independent Living Across a Lifespan.” cilt.ca/event/cilt-forum-on-…
CILT@CIL_Toronto
Jul 5
ANNOUNCEMENT: CILT's Wendy Porch announces the CILT Forum on Independent Living. Check out the video:
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Due to space limitations and to ensure accessibility for all attendees, this event is exclusively invite-only. We hope to increase the guest capacity of this event in future years. There will be a report produced following the event that will be shared for wider circulation.
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