Community Living News

Introducing the Administrative Justice Support Network

At Community Living Ontario, we know that Government, either directly or through transfer payment agencies, can have a powerful influence on the lives of people with disabilities. This impact can extend to where someone lives, his or her social assistance, employment supports, or access to education.  

When individuals or families disagree with an administrative decision about the supports or services they are seeking there is little community information or assistance available. In some situations, ARCH Disability Law Centre or a community legal clinic can help, but most often those who lack the financial resources to hire their own lawyer are left to figure out the appeal process on their own.  Many simply give up in the face of dense legislative language, unfamiliar, and sometimes complicated or even hostile processes. Yet for many, legal representation is not a necessity; with the right information people can competently represent themselves. 

The Law Foundation of Ontario, under its Responsive Grants Program, has funded Community Living Ontario to develop an Administrative Law section on our web site that will provide information and support for people who wish to challenge support or service decisions through an administrative appeal.  

The site will include plain language descriptions of legislation and of the appeal process for several administrative tribunals.  These will include: the Social Benefits Tribunal, the Special Education Tribunal, the Landlord Tenant Board, the Health Services Appeal & Review Board (for Long Term Care), the Consent & Capacity Board, the Human Rights Tribunal, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board and the Child and Family Services Review Board.  Other boards and tribunals may be added in time.  

This project supports Community Living Ontario’s strategic priority of promoting the increased voice of people who have an intellectual disability by supporting the strengthening of self-advocacy skills.  Community Living Ontario is joined by Dawn Roper, whose background as a Program Manager; Vice Chair of an administrative tribunal and parent of a daughter with a disability has uniquely qualified her to lead this project.   Attached please find information about the members of the advisory committee that will provide oversight to the project.

Details about the project will be provided in the coming months as the initiative proceeds.  For more information at any time please call Dawn Roper, Project Manager, 416-447-4348 Ext. 233 or email droper@sympatico.ca.