Join Developmental Services Ontario (DSO) Housing Navigators for this FREE webinar exploring how Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), such as garden suites, basement apartments, and tiny homes, can create housing options for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
This virtual session will take place on Thursday, August 27 from 12 – 1:30 p.m.
To register, visit: Accessory Dwelling Units
Registration is open for the FREE Less Stress, More Homework Success workshop, from CHEO Foundational Family Services.
Select from the following session dates:
Topics will include:
This workshop is designed for caregivers and youth who wish to develop practical strategies to improve their homework experience at home.
Register here: Foundational Family Services – CHEO
Registration is open for the FREE Introduction to Special Education in Ontario virtual information session from Autism Ontario, taking place on Thursday, August 6 from 12 – 1 p.m.
Participants will learn:
This session is intended as an introduction to special education in Ontario for families, caregivers, and professionals supporting autistic children and youth.
Participants will receive a resource package with useful links and information.
Please note: This workshop is conducted in English.
Register here: Introduction to Special Education in Ontario- Virtual Information Session | Autism Ontario
Registration is open for the FREE Welcome to Kindergarten virtual workshop from Autism Ontario, taking place on Wednesday, August 5 from 12 – 1 p.m.
Participants will learn:
This workshop is for parents, caregivers, and professionals supporting autistic children with the transition to school. Please note: This workshop is conducted in English.
Register here: Welcome to Kindergarten- Virtual Workshop | Autism Ontario
Registration is open for the FREE New to School workshop, from CHEO Foundational Family Services, on Thursday, September 3, 2026, from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
This session will cover:
Please note: This session is available in English only.
Register here: Foundational Family Services – CHEO
Join Developmental Services Ontario (DSO) Housing Navigators, as they welcome representatives from Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for a FREE English virtual presentation on how to recognize a scam.
Topics Include:
This virtual session will take place on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, from 1 – 2 p.m. This event will not be recorded.
This free online webinar will be facilitated by the DSO Housing Navigators from the South-East, East and Toronto Regions. It is open to people with a developmental disability, their
family members and/or support networks, and professionals in Ontario.
To register, visit: Learn How to Recognize a Scam with Canada Revenue Agency
For any questions, please contact Martha Beach at mbeach@dsoser.ca
On Tuesday, August 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., children with developmental and/or physical disabilities are invited to enjoy The Capital Fair in a supportive and accommodating environment on Special Needs Day.
Activities include:
Registration is limited to the first 1,500 participants. Each family can bring a maximum of 6 immediate family members. Registrations are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis.
(Photo: Susan and Austin)
When Susan White talks about raising her son Austin, she speaks with honesty, determination and deep love. She also speaks about the importance of not having to do it alone.
Austin is 14 years old and lives with a rare genetic condition called Wiedemann-Steiner syndrome, as well as autism spectrum disorder. Fewer than 1,000 people worldwide are known to have the syndrome. Susan says navigating the healthcare, education and support systems has been a complex journey from the beginning.
“I’m trying to raise a child that lives in a world not made for him,” she says.
Susan first connected with Service Coordination Support (SCS) in 2017 through a referral from the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO). At the time, she and her husband were trying to coordinate services, advocate within the school system and access specialized supports for Austin’s development and feeding needs. They felt overwhelmed and exhausted trying to navigate a complex system.
(Photo of Austin)
“There were 23 people in the room,” Susan recalls of the first meeting. “The principal, CHEO, occupational therapists, physiotherapists. Everyone was there to talk about what this little boy needed.”
For Susan, SCS quickly became more than just another service provider. “SCS was a lifesaver,” she says.
Over the years, Susan worked closely with two children’s case managers who helped coordinate services, prepare documentation for funding applications, and attend meetings alongside the family.
“SCS would come to the meetings, do the notetaking, know what needed to be done, reiterate our goals, and discuss our options,” Susan says. “It was coordination of care that I could rely on and people in my corner. That was huge.”
She says one of the biggest differences was having someone who could advocate on behalf of the family.
“When SCS calls, things get done. It’s not the ‘crazy mom’ calling,” Susan says. “They fought battles when I couldn’t as a mom. There was empathy. That’s the most important thing.”
Today, Austin’s needs continue to evolve as he prepares for high school. Susan says having SCS involved helps ensure the people around him understand the full picture — emotionally, physically and developmentally.
(Photo of Austin)
“SCS holds weight,” she says. “They’re one of the tools in my backpack. The continuity, collaboration, and coordination with CHEO and others make me feel powerful because I have a team behind me.”
Susan describes consistency and compassion as two of the organization’s greatest strengths.
“Having staff that care, and are allowed to love their clients, that matters,” she says.
She also credits SCS with helping her think about Austin’s future in a bigger way, not just day-to-day support, but long-term planning and stability. Looking back, Susan says she wants other families to know they do not have to navigate the system on their own.
“One thing needs to tie everything together, and that’s what SCS does,” she says. “I can’t imagine my life, or Austin’s life, without SCS. I want other families to have the support I have.”
Ottawa Family Support Network (OFSN) is hosting a FREE family picnic at Silver Spring Studio (1705 Robertson Road, Ottawa, ON) on Sunday July 12, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Enjoy games, art, activities and plenty of time to connect with community members.
There will be refreshments and water available. Please feel free to bring your own lunch, lawn chair, or picnic blanket.
Sign up here: https://forms.gle/hYW9btNmPWt4pAEN7.
This July and August, youth aged 11-18 can ride for free on OC Transpo buses, trains, and on Para Transpo.
You can purchase a Presto card for $4.00 at participating Shoppers Drug Mart, Loblaws, and Real Canadian Superstore locations. Ensure your pass is set to a “Pre-Teen or Youth” pass when you purchase it.
Note: If you have a Student Transit Pass through your school, you will not need to purchase a new pass to access this offer.
Then, your card will allow you to ride for free when tapped on the fare gate or fare reader.
For more information, visit: Youth age 11-18 ride free all summer! | OC Transpo
