Community Living Dundas County (C.L.D.C.)

C.L.D.C. is a member of Community Living Ontario (C.L.O.) which has over 100 local Associations throughout Ontario. Many members have a son, daughter, brother or sister who has been identified as having intellectual disabilities. People who themselves have been labelled are members. Church, business and other community leaders also belong.

C.L.D.C. supports the inclusion of people with an intellectual disability to the same extent that all people are included.

The efforts of local Associations produced a landmark commitment by the Ontario government to community-based services in 1974. Through the 1970's and 1980's, C.L.D.C.has been involved in the development of residential services, employment services and community options. The thrust of current services and supports is to shift away from costly services that isolate family and friends, and towards services that include people in their community. All people with a intellectual disability are entitled to be a part of Dundas County - to live, work, be educated and enjoy all that this community offers its citizens.

What does "Community Living" mean?

Some people think our name, "Community Living," has little meaning.

It's different we admit. But after you read about what we do, we think you'll agree that our name tells exactly what we're about. We hope you'll agree that not only our name, but the work that we do and the goals that we have, make perfect sense...

But, for many people who have an intellectual disability, community living is a dream, an objective yet to be realized, some still live in institutions. Others may live at home but with little connection with the community around them - as children, they may be in segregated classrooms in schools far away from neighbourhood children; as adults, they are largely excluded from the workforce. At all ages, many face physical and social barriers that keep them from participating in social, recreational and economic world around them.

For about 50 years, Community Living associations have worked to bring people and their communities together:

• we support individuals as they develop their capacity to live, learn, work and participate in all aspects of living in the community life in meaningful, productive ways.
• we help the community develop its capacity to welcome and support people who have not always had the same opportunities as the rest of us to participate in community life in meaningful, productive ways.

The direct service and support we provide is essential for many individuals and their families. Others simply need social or attitudinal barriers dismantled to enable them to make their way in the community. In both direct and indirect ways, supporting people to contribute and participate makes good economic sense, and produces communities that are vibrant and strong. It's also the right thing to do.

By now, our name, "Community Living". will make sense. Rather than call ourselves by the labels that are used to categorize and therefore "separate" people from their dreams, we take a different approach- declaring in our name the vision of the people we support.