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Hundreds of adults with developmental disabilities without services; Windsor–Essex County families appeal to finance minister for better funding in next week’s budget.

The need for quality community supports for persons who have a developmental disability is so great in Windsor-Essex County that area families are appealing directly to Windsor MPP and Ontario Finance Minister Dwight Duncan to fund increased access to services and supports and get hundreds off waitlists in next week’s budget.

Waitlists for services and supports for persons with a developmental disability are at an all-time high across the province and must be addressed, say Windsor-Essex County parents, agencies and direct support workers.

Together, they will be holding a media conference on Thursday, March 24, 2011 (10:30 a.m.) at Community Living Essex County, 372 Talbot Street North, Essex, 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, you, as the finance minister, have to provide the necessary funding for supports to the most vulnerable to let that happen,” says Bruce Awad who has a daughter receiving supports through Community Living Essex County.

Media conference participants include:

  • Bruce Awad: parent of a daughter receiving supports
  • Lisa Raffoul: parent/community advocate
  • Xavier Noordermeer: Community Living Windsor
  • Nancy Wallace-Gero: Community Living Essex County
  • Charlotte O’Neil, Srila Perine: Direct Support Workers


For more information, please contact:

Tony DeSantis
Community Relations, Community Living Essex County
(519) 776-6483 ext. 246

Stella Yeadon
CUPE Communications
(416) 559-9300