Community Living Ontario

Are you a parent or caregiver of a school-age child or youth with a disability in Ontario? We want to hear about your child's experiences in the 2025-2026 school year. To learn more and participate, go to https://communitylivingontario.ca/ontario-school-inclusion-survey/

Turning Challenges into Strength - Story by Council Member Brianne Taggart

Living with a disability has shaped my life in many ways. I have faced challenges, overcome obstacles and learned the importance of believing in myself. While my journey hasn’t always been easy, it has helped me discover strengths I never knew I had.

Today I am a proud self-advocate, artist, bird photographer, public speaker, committee member, council member, and the President of New Day.

Through these roles, I have had the opportunity to speak up for inclusion, respect and equal opportunities for people with disabilities.

Serving on Council and many committees has taught me every voice matters. Advocacy is about making sure people are heard, respected and helping people create positive change in our communities. I am proud to work alongside others who are committed to building more of an inclusive world.

My love of art and photography allows me to express myself in another way. Through my paintings and photographs, especially of birds and nature, I share the beauty I see in the world. Art reminds me that everyone has a idea worth sharing.

If I could tell others one thing, it would be:
Do not let anyone tell you what you cannot do.
Believe in yourself. Use your voice. Try new things. Follow your passions. Whether your dream is to be an artist, photographer, speaker, or something else entirely, your disability does not define your potential.

There may be challenges along the way. There will also be opportunities to learn, grow, and succeed. Be proud of who you are and never be afraid to share your gifts, talents with the world.

I am very proud of my journey because it has shown me that disabilities do not stop people from making a difference. Every day, I strive to encourage others to embrace their abilities, celebrate their strengths and know their voices matter.

Brianne Taggart
Council Member. President of New Day. Self-Advocate. Artist. Photographer. Public Speaker. Committee Member. Community Leader.

“Your disability is only one part of your story. Your abilities, talents, and determination are what help write the rest.

For Benton, a Grade 10 student with a strong interest in the rail industry, a visit to GO Transit’s Don Yard offered a meaningful opportunity to learn, ask questions, and experience the world of transit up close.

Through Student Links, Benton toured a locomotive, learned about the roles of conductors, engineers, and Customer Service Associates, practiced passenger announcements, and explored how different parts of the train system work together to keep people moving safely.

A sincere thank you to the Metrolinx team, especially Wesley and Ashley, for welcoming Benton and creating such an engaging and educational experience.

Student Links helps students explore their interests, build confidence, and connect with people and opportunities in their communities.

Learn more: https://communitylivingontario.ca/what-we-do/student-links/

In this week’s edition of Update Friday, Council of CLO Updates, Upcoming Webinars, and more! Read the full edition: https://bit.ly/4uzGk7t

Sign up to our newsletter: bit.ly/Subscribe-To-UF

Story by Council Member Melissa Belviso

This is my story is about my shared experience with my disability (and how that, even if someone has any kind of disability they can contribute and create wonderful change in the world) and that having a disability isn’t a bad thing.

I would like everyone to know (including people living with disabilities and their families) that a disability is a beautiful thing no matter how others define it. I’d like to say it comes with obstacles but I as well as all other people like me have the right to ask for the supports and services that we need to live happy and fulfilling lives so we can thrive to the fullest. Patience and time is the most important part of supporting people with disabilities.

Now I would love to talk and share things about my disability and how having my disability taught me to never give up on myself or others so I can advocate for all the rights of people -- like me letting them know that we are all in the same shoes.

I also want to talk about how proud I am of the person that I am today and how proud I am of my family and my support workers who always support me through my continuous accomplishments in my life and my job at Tim Horton's that I have had since a high school co-op in my teen years, to getting the job when I finished high school, to now being 30 and still having amazing support at work for 12 years being there. Another thing that is also amazing about me is that having my disability allows me and many others to create life-long goals for each other and the guidance and supports is my motto to living the best life possible.

My mom and dad both knew from the day I was born that I had a disability because I lost oxygen at birth and I also had a twin brother. Both of my parents were scared because they didn’t know what would happen to me, and all of the judgemental comments from people. I would love to tell people that even having a disability you are always able to do what you want to do and thrive at anything you want to learn. Pace doesn’t matter but having patience and a positive mind is so important.

I would also love to tell people not to judge me because perfection is not a definition but following your goals and dreams is something that will always help you, and working hard is such an amazing thing . My family put a lot of time and hard work and effort in supporting me and helping me along my journey even when the fights were hard: A lot of days they never gave up on me, they created me as the amazing woman I am today. I am proud of the people in my life to say that they made me an advocate -- because my goal since I was small is to become a support worker or to go to college to become a developmental service worker to work with people with disabilities.

My diagnosis when I was born is a neurodivergent developmental disability and poor muscle tone and I am also on the autism spectrum, and was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome in my toddler years. But I wouldn’t change my life for the world because I am surrounded by such amazing family and support staff because now I am able to make improvements. To help each other is my goal in life and I want to let people know that they're not alone, that so many people have disabilities in this world that a disability is beautiful. I want to create a strong community to help give people the best life and to help guide people living the same lives like me that there is always hope.

I would love to thank you all for allowing me to brighten all of your days and I hope that all of you listen to this story and have an open mind and I hope everyone keeps on accomplishing their goals and never gives up and always keep dreaming big and strong and remember disability is not a bad thing it is a beautiful thing.

Council nominations are now open!

Self-advocates across Ontario are invited to put their names forward for a position on Community Living Ontario’s Council.

Learn more and apply by Friday, July 31:https://communitylivingontario.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Council-Call-For-Nomination-2026.pdf

Our Spring 2026 Council Newsletter is here! Read the latest updates on Council-led workshops, advocacy at Queen’s Park, and upcoming ways for self-advocates to get involved. bit.ly/council-newsletter-spring-2026

My experience with being on Council by President Niko Pupella

When I first started on the Council (over 12 years ago) things were very different. We used to meet and have meetings over the phone and also have some face to face meet ups. We would discuss important issues on how to advocate for peoples rights and ensure people have a voice on things that matter.

Years had gone by and we gradually switched to using an online platform for meetings and still continued with some in-person meet ups. We would still attend yearly conferences and take part in the various workshops to learn about what the organizations had to offer.

In the last 8 years that I have been on Council, we have come a long way. We are involved more in the conferences, we have hosted our own information webinars, presented on a variety of topics (not limited to but including housing/poverty issues [still ongoing] ensuring fair work wages for people, safety at home and aging in place where you get the choice of where you want to live and how important that is).

One of my memorable moments (albeit not a full on happy time) while being on the Council was serving as President during my housing crisis as it was a difficult time. We were going through some staff changes so I was helping do some extra work to help the Council out (in addition to my regular President duties) so that we were able to still do what we needed to do. It was extremely helpful to me that the work I was doing helped take my mind off my housing issues. I had a huge amount of support from Council and the staff team during that time so that it made my situation go smoother.

Fast forward to now, the Council has made better connections to the ministry and have had ongoing meetings with them. Our work is not done. We will keep fighting for, and continue to advocate and be the voices for people and help them ensure that they matter, they continue to have a choice of where they want to live, and that people are not alone and they can reach out if they need support.

As my final thoughts, I want to share this with you. :
Help one person every day.
Be a source of positive energy.
One small act can change a life—maybe even yours.
You’ve got one life—make it count by lifting others up.
Be kind. You never know who needs it… or when you will.
We’re in this together. Let’s start acting like it.

Only two days left to submit your nominations for the 2026 Inspiring Possibilities Awards!

Do you know someone who has made a positive impact in the lives of people who have an intellectual disability in Ontario?

Learn more about the four award categories and nominate someone deserving before the deadline: tinyurl.com/IPAwards2026

Please note: The Jason Rae Award includes a $1,000 prize.

In this week’s edition of Update Friday, Student Links Connections on the GO, three days left for IP Award nominations, and more! Read the full edition: https://bit.ly/4unsxkn

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