Community Living, ACTIVE & Life Skills Programs
For those with developmental disabilities
Developmental Services Access Centre (DSAC) 741-1121
A single point of service for individuals with a diagnosis showing an IQ of 75 or below, and limitations in adaptive functioning. Assessments or a doctor must document the diagnosis.
Referral to DSAC at age 18. An appointment is made with a DSAC Coordinator who will meet with the family to determine which agencies (listed below) are best suited to assist the individual in the future.
Possible Agency Referrals
• K-W Habilitation Services
• Community Living Cambridge
• Extend-a-Family /W.A.L.E.S.
• Transitional Youth (TY) Program
• Aldaview Training Centre
• Elmira and District Association for Community Living
• Parents for Community Living
• Christian Horizons
• Special Services at Home
• Foundations
• Sunbeam Centre
• Recreation Day Program
Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
Kitchener: 886-4700
Cambridge: 623-1230
• Income Support – individuals with various disabilities are eligible for a monthly disability pension at age 18.
• Employment Supports – for individuals with multiple disabilities who want to discuss employment goals.
Recreation Programs
• PAL Card
• Rockway Seniors Centre Dances
• Special Olympics
• Adapted Aquatics
• Central Ontario Developmental Riding Program
• City of Cambridge and Kitchener Recreation Programs
• K-W Boccia Club
• KW Fastrack
• KW Habilitation Services
• Community Living Cambridge
Ready Get Set Volunteer
Volunteer Action Centre
742-8610
Extra support to enable individuals with disabilities to volunteer.
Essential, ACTIVE Programs
Youth ACCESS Employment Program
578-3677 Ext. 242
Goal: Paid employment
Offers job searching and job coaching support to youth who are out of school, aged 16-30, with learning or behavioural issues. ACCESS assists clients in marketing themselves to employers and to understand employer expectations.
Workplace Essentials Program
Goal: Paid employment or return to school with credits earned.
Offers a 4-week in-school component and a cooperative education portion for youth out of school aged 16-30. May earn up to 5 credits. For more information concerning the referral process call:
Cambridge Area:
622-9041
K-W Area:
880-1794 C
Canadian Mental Health Association
Cambridge: 740-7782
Kitchener: 744-7645
Supported employment offered.
Job Track Program
(Supported Employment Services)
623-7490
Goal: Paid Employment
Offers a 6-week in-class pre-employment portion and job trials and coaching support for youth with various disabilities who are out of school, aged 16-30.
Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
Employment Support Program – see Column 1 for details. Must have a documented disability that is expected to last more than one year. Ages 16+
Self Directed High School
See Column 3, however note there are not many ILC Courses written at the Essential / Workplace Level. Some open level courses are available. C
Sunrise Therapeutic Program and
Employment Preparation Training Program (519) 873-0588
Goal: Paid Employment
Offers nine weeks of training for youth with various disabilities who are out of school, ages 16-30.
Volunteer Action Centre
742-8610
Applied and Academic Programs
Lutherwood
Youth Employment Centre
165 King St. E., Kitchener
743-2460
Employment planning and preparation services for youth aged 16-24. No appointment required – walk in for service.
Cambridge Career Connections
73 Water St. N., Cambridge
622-0815
Employment planning and preparation services for youth aged 16-24. No appointment required – walk in for service.
WRDSB Self Directed High School
Cambridge: 622-0276
Kitchener: 570-4504
Independent study for 16-19 year olds. Students take one credit at a time. Teacher in class does not teach group lesson. C
Correspondence Courses
Independent Study courses for self-motivated people, not currently in school.
WRDSB (19+)
Cambridge: 740-3800
Elmira: 570-0003 x 4298
Waterloo: 885-0800 C
WCDSB (18+)
Cambridge: 620-9658
Kitchener: 745-1201 C
Independent Learning Centre (16+) ILC material sent from Toronto
1-800-387-5512 C
Entrepreneurial
Self-Employment Programs
(Ages 15-30)
Venture Creation Program
741-2985
Entrepreneurship program. Able to earn up to five credits. C
Youth Entrepreneurship Program (YEP)
Cambridge: 622-0815
Kitchener: 743-2460
Adult & Continuing Education
Credits towards an OSSD offered; Literacy upgrading.
WRDSB (Ages 21+ or 18 with interview)
Cambridge: 740-3800
Kitchener: 885-0800 C
WCDSB (18+)
St. Louis Adult Learning Centre
Cambridge: 620-9658
Kitchener: 745-1201 C
Destination Employment
See Column 2 for details.
Volunteer Action Centre
742-8610
Recruits and refers volunteer positions within agencies.
Ontario March of Dimes
579-8830
Employment assistance and services. Community programs for people with all types of disabilities.
Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB)
742-3536
Employment assistance and services for the visually impaired.
Canadian Hearing Society
744-6811
Employment assistance and services for the hearing impaired.
Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
For individuals with physical and/or
mental impairment. Income support and employment support. See Column 1 for details.
Independent Living Centre
3400 King St. E., Kitchener
894-8350
Resource centre, housing and leisure programs, support and advocacy, attendant services and respite.
K-W ACCESS-ABILITY
885-6640
Information and resources for people with physical disabilities. Assistance with adaptive computer technology.
Canadian Mental Health Association
Job Track Program
(Supported Employment Services)
623-7490
Program run out of Kitchener.
Sunrise Therapeutic Training Program
Volunteer Action Centre
742-8610
