Centre for Independent Living in Toronto - CILT Inc.

09/09/2026

We’re happy to share some formal and candid photos taken at CILT’s first Independent Living Forum, July 29th at Toronto’s Hart House.

We were grateful and thrilled to have over 100 community members, our staff, allies, nonprofit and public sector partners, all sharing awareness and commitment to advancing independent living as a human right in Canada.

Once again, CILT gives a Thank You Shoutout to forum attendees and our marvelous forum speakers: Fran Odette, Logan Wong, Hazel Self, Elizabeth McIsaac, Nikoletta Erdelri, Michael Mathieson, Danielle Daoust, Freda Uwa, and Leisa Debono.

Many thanks to our dedicated funders: United Way Greater Toronto, City of Toronto and Independent Living Canada / Vie autonome Canada

Alt: 18 photos from the IL Forum- formal and informal shots of event host and speakers and both close up and distance shots of guests in the event space and outdoor patio area.

09/06/2026

Jacques went from a life that was "mandated” for him to a life he controlled, where he would dictate how things would go.

"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 information about Direct Funding and how you can take control of your life, check out the CILT website: https://cilt.ca/programs-and-services/direct-funding/

09/04/2026

Dear CILT community,

We have posted this notice on our website inviting new members to join CILT and help carry Independent Living forward: https://cilt.ca/an-important-invitation-from-cilt/

Independent Living is rooted in our community’s right to choice, control, self-direction, and full participation in community. In recent years, we have witnessed systems that were meant to support disabled people to attain these human rights, shift back toward institutional, medical and efficiency-driven models that reduce these rights.

We have seen this erosion in several ways as disabled people continue to be left out of equal opportunities to participate, lead, and make decisions about the issues that affect their lives. The need for accessible and affordable housing, adequate income supports and an accessible transit system are just some of the issues that make Independent Living harder to realize for disabled people.

At CILT, our commitment to Independent Living is at the heart of everything we do. We continue to push for broader understanding, stronger action on disability rights, and deeper investment in Independent Living rights that allow for people with disabilities to live with dignity.

We rely on the support of CILT members, and as we look ahead, we are committed to growing and strengthening our community.

Please consider supporting CILT by becoming a member and help us carry Independent Living forward. All information on how to become a member has been posted on our website: https://cilt.ca/an-important-invitation-from-cilt/

An Important Invitation from CILT Published: September 4, 2026Dear CILT community, We wanted to take this opportunity to invite you to join as a CILT member to help carry Independent Living forward.  Independent Living is rooted in our community’s right to choice, control, self-direction...

09/02/2026

🚨 Canada is rewriting its National Housing Strategy right now.

We're calling on the federal government to align the new National Housing Strategy with the commitments made under our country's own right-to-housing law, so we can:

- Save lives by reducing homelessness,
- Reduce government expense on shelters, hospitals, and prisons,
- Create a system that supports people through financial hardship,
- Prevent individuals and families from losing their homes
- Ensure that safe, affordable, and accessible housing is available

We may not get another opportunity like this for a decade. The federal government must embed human rights into our national housing policy. Let’s make sure it does.

👉 Send a letter today: https://housingrights.ca/make-the-new-national-housing-strategy-follow-the-law/

09/02/2026

Thank you to everyone who applied for the CILT Awards! We got plenty of applications across all streams and recipients will be announced later this month.

CILT is privileged to recognize disabled people for their outstanding contributions in promoting and embodying the Independent Living philosophy.

08/31/2026

JUST 2 DAYS remain before our September 1st deadline for submissions for 3 of our annual awards!

The Helen Henderson Literary Award: https://tinyurl.com/4ybeaer7
This award is granted to an individual who has produced an outstanding piece of writing related to raising public awareness of a disability issue or barrier.

The Vic Willi Legacy Award for Youth: https://tinyurl.com/4y4j4dc8
This award is presented annually as part of CILT’s commitment to honouring Vic Willi and supporting the development of young disabled leaders in Canada.

The Sandra Carpenter Award for Artists: https://tinyurl.com/2yhmrxxr
This award recognizes and celebrates a disabled artist whose work reflects creativity, originality, and a commitment to the values of Independent Living.

Please consider applying it you fit any of the criteria, and/or circulate our notice to disabled writers, artists or youth leaders whose work you feel is worthy of being celebrated! 🎨 📗📣

08/26/2026

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!

08/21/2026

At yesterday's "Have Your Say: Help Shape Disability Inclusion in Toronto 2026 Election," CILT & GTA Disability Coalition partners engaged about 60 disabled and Deaf voters, their allies and supporters.

Participants built knowledge on platform priorities that matter to them- whether on disability poverty, inaccessible housing or barrier-free transit! They then joined minds in breakout rooms to shape election action calls they’re qualified to tell candidates seeking their vote, to include on their platforms!

Thank You Shouts to our partners and event presenters, especially Social Planning Toronto and TTCriders.ca, for raising awareness of policy and advocacy solutions grounded in human rights. Many thanks also to Toronto Elections for sharing hands on information on accessible voting processes and new changes.

Next week, we will be sharing on our socials, a YouTube link to the event recording and links to the presentation decks. Watch for those!

City For All

This event was supported through generous funding from United Way Greater Toronto City of Toronto and Independent Living Canada / Vie autonome Canada

ALT Description of photo 1: A Zoom screen. At top of screen are 4 video tiles showing heads of people. Below this is a PowerPoint Slide with a photo of a group of about 12 TTCriders reps standing on a sidewalk, most holding protest signs showing support for transit. Across the screen bottom is the red TTCriders banner with TTCriders logo, TTCriders.ca and www.ttcriders.ca

08/21/2026

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.”

For more information about Direct Funding and how you can take control of your life, check out the CILT website or link in: https://cilt.ca/programs-and-services/direct-funding/

08/20/2026

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 or the link in bio: https://cilt.ca/join-cilts-board-of-directors-seeking-committed-individuals-to-champion-independent-living-principles-for-people-with-disabilities-2/