We are the only provincial organization focused on issues affecting Ontario citizens with any kind of disability at the system level. We advocate for several issues including housing, poverty, access to health programs and services, impact of climate change on people with disabilities, accessibility acts and regulations, human rights, and more.
CWDO is a non-partisan advocacy organization working to make positive change at the system level. We proudly represent Ontario on the Council of Canadians with Disabilities.
Issues we’re tracking
We track a number of issues, prioritizing some for advocacy with provincial decision-makers. Certain topics receive focused research or are addressed by a CWDO Action Group. Law students have also contributed through legal memoranda and annotated bibliographies during their pro bono placements with CWDO.
- Access to assistive devices
- Accessible parking permits
- Accessibility lens
- Accessibility standards
- Aging with a disability
- Attendant services
- Definitions of disability
- Education
- Emergency preparedness
- Employment
- Housing
- Health
- Income security
- Institutionalization
- Legal capacity and substitute decision making
- Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD)
- Poverty and income
- Right to live in the community
- Supports for children and adults with severe disabilities
- Transportation
- Young Ontarians with disabilities
Campaigns & petitions
Letters to the Premier
We wrote to the Premier about key issues on September 15, 2022, following the Provincial Election.
- Read CWDO’s 2022 Letter to the Premier – Word version
- Read CWDO’s 2022 Letter to the Premier – PDF version
CWDO Action Groups
Transportation Action Group
- Interim Chair: Adam Cohoon
- Status: Lobbying municipalities to ban e-Scooters.
Attendant Service Action Group
- Chair: Tracy Odell
- Status: Active – Meeting weekly since February 29, 2024.
Alliances & partner organizations
- Accessible Housing Network — A collaboration of non-profit Canadian organizations, advocating in support of people of all ages to live as they wish, in housing that is fully accessible.
- Alliance for Quality Attendant Services — An alliance of people with physical disabilities who receive attendant services through Support Service Living Units (SSLU) and outreach agencies.
- AODA Alliance — The AODA Alliance is a disability consumer advocacy group that works to support the full and effective implementation of accessibility standards in Ontario.