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Hundreds in Sarnia with developmental disabilities without services — Sarnia families, support workers appeal to province for better funding

Waitlists for services and supports for adults with a developmental disability are at an all-time high in Lambton County and across the province, and must be addressed by the provincial government before more families lose hope, say area parents, Community Living Sarnia-Lambton, and direct support workers. 

Together, they will be holding a media conference on Wednesday, April 20 (10:30 a.m.) at Community Living Sarnia-Lambton, 551 Exmouth Street, Suite 105, Sarnia, to give an overview of the challenges faced by families in accessing services locally. 

Our message to the province is a simple one: If you believe that every Ontarian has a right to be an active participant in our communities, then you have to provide the necessary funding to stabilize existing services while increasing access to supports to the most vulnerable to let that happen,” says Wilma Arthurs, a parent advocate whose 20-year-old daughter Emilia receives supports from Community Living Sarnia-Lambton. 

Arthurs will be joined at the media conference Wednesday by Denise Hastings, whose son Ryan also receives services from the agency, Community Living Sarnia-Lambton Executive Director John Hagens and Brian Biggers, a direct support worker with the agency. 

Media conference participants include: 

  • John Hagens, Executive Director, Community Living Sarnia-Lambton
  • Wilma Arthurs and her daughter Emilia, Parent and local advocate for quality services
  • Denise Hastings and her son Ryan, Parent and local advocate for quality services
  • Brian Biggers, Community Living Sarnia-Lambton Direct Support Worker


For more information, please contact: 

John Hagens
Executive Director, Community Living Sarnia-Lambton
(519) 332-0560

Stella Yeadon
CUPE Communications
(416) 559-9300