Every year Easter Seals Ontario selects two young people to represent the organization and advocate on behalf of children and youth with physical disabilities. We are proud to announce 16-year-old Shamil Sohail as one of our two 2024 Provincial Easter Seals Ambassadors. Shamil is not your average teenager; he's a dynamic individual with a passion for justice and a heart dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of individuals with disabilities.

Born with spina bifida, a congenital condition affecting his spine and lower body, Shamil navigates the world with the assistance of a power wheelchair. Despite facing physical challenges, Shamil is largely independent in his activities, thanks to the support from his family and Easter Seals Ontario. Shamil, with his infectious humour, love for adventure is set to make waves as a 2024 Easter Seals Ontario Provincial Ambassador, sharing that he wants to be a source of inspiration and a voice for those who are yet to find theirs.

Learn more about Shamil and the Ambassador program.

On behalf of the Ismaili Council for Northeast Ontario, we extend our warmest wishes to you and your families on the occasion of Navroz.

Navroz marks the beginning of the New Year, symbolizing spiritual renewal, physical rejuvenation, and a time of hope and optimism. It offers us a chance to reflect on the past year and look forward to the year ahead.

We wish each of you a joyous and fulfilling Navroz Day. May you, your families, and your loved ones be blessed with abundant barakah, good health, prosperity, peace, spiritual enlightenment, and the resolution of all your hardships.

Navroz Mubarak!

On behalf of the Ismaili Council for Southwest Ontario, we extend our warmest wishes to you and your families on the occasion of Navroz.

Navroz marks the beginning of the New Year, symbolizing spiritual renewal, physical rejuvenation, and a time of hope and optimism. It offers us a chance to reflect on the past year and look forward to the year ahead.

We wish each of you a joyous and fulfilling Navroz Day. May you, your families, and your loved ones be blessed with abundant barakah, good health, prosperity, peace, spiritual enlightenment, and the resolution of all your hardships.

Navroz Mubarak!

Recent research has proven the importance of sleep for overall health and well-being. More recent studies go beyond simply the benefits of sleep, but rather focus on the consequences of chronic sleep deprivation to individuals and families. Is your sleep negotiable? How about for your family?

In this webinar recording, Occupational Therapist and Educator Rishma Dhalla walks us through the scientific mechanism of sleep and the circadian rhythm and the impacts of sleep deprivation, while educating viewers on identifying real life barriers to sleep and suggesting concrete strategies to improve sleep and sleep hygiene.

Diverse Abilities (DA), formerly known as SKIP, is a portfolio within the Social Welfare Board. DA provides support for individuals with disabilities and their families. Disabilities include but are not limited to physical, intellectual, and/or sensory. Barriers in society can hinder individuals with disabilities from participating fully in activities within their community.

To reduce barriers, people with disabilities and their families require a platform to raise awareness and ensure community inclusion. DA provides a forum where people with disabilities and their families can collaborate and share experiences and ideas to support one another. The program aims to assist persons with disabilities and their families by advocating for inclusion and fostering community awareness to mitigate the potential for community isolation.

DA provides support through creating Community Connections such as information sharing on institutional support, external agencies, funding resources, and collaboration with other boards and portfolios. DA advocates for inclusion through events, training and education opportunities, and supporting community participation.

If you or someone you know would benefit from the program, register now.

Diverse Abilities (DA) formerly known as SKIP provides support for individuals with disabilities and their families. Disabilities include but are not limited to physical, intellectual, and/or sensory. Barriers in society can hinder individuals with disabilities from participating fully in activities within their community.

To reduce barriers, people with disabilities and their families require a platform to raise awareness and ensure community inclusion. DA provides a forum where people with disabilities and their families can collaborate and share experiences and ideas to support one another. The program aims to assist persons with disabilities and their families by advocating for inclusion and fostering community awareness to mitigate the potential for community isolation.

DA provides support through creating Community Connections such as information sharing on institutional support, external agencies, funding resources, and collaboration with other boards and portfolios. DA advocates for inclusion through events, training and education opportunities, and supporting community participation.

If you or someone you know would benefit from the program, register now.

Cyberbullying involves the use of computers, smartphones or other connected devices to post or share harmful, false, or cruel content about someone else with the intention of intimidating, threatening or belittling them, or harming their reputations.

This type of harassment can have serious emotional consequences, is never acceptable, and can result in legal action.

If you know of someone who is being cyberbullied, please show support and compassion to the victim.

Let’s all speak up when we see such unacceptable behaviour. Bullying thrives in environments of silence.

As brothers and sisters, let us protect those who are vulnerable by promoting empathy, kindness and inclusion in all of our interactions with each other, in person and online.

Resources for Youth

If you are being cyberbullied, you can talk to someone at Kids Help Phone a free, 24/7 confidential counselling, information and referrals, and support service for young people.

KidsHelpPhone.ca

Text: 686868

Call: 1-800-668-6868

Resources for Parents, Caregivers and Educators

There are things you can do to prevent and deal with cyberbullying if it happens to you or to someone you care about.

You can reach out to your Mukhi, Kamadia, Mukhiani or Kamadiani, or contact ACCESS.

For more information, visit the Government of Canada’s Cyberbullying site.