Project Background

Children with disabilities experience substantial challenges related to social isolation which are over and above the physical and social limitations imposed by their disabilities. The majority of current services and programs for these children are focused on managing their physical or health care needs specific to their disability. Recent evidence suggests that there has been substantial progress towards developing programs for early intervention (for children 0 to 6 years). Community programs for social development and integration of these children into society is required as is increasing collaboration among NGOs, researchers and advocacy groups which will lead to reduced service gaps, increased innovation  and enhanced community  social support for children and families with disabilities.

This project, “Strengthening Communities for Canadian Children with Disabilities” will engage key stakeholders to examine the capacity for creating community environments that support social development for children and youth who face significant challenges due to disability. The Kids Health Foundation (The Sandbox Project) has partnered with community stakeholders and experts in working with families of children/youth with disabilities (Special Olympics and Community Living Toronto) to examine strengths and opportunities to create supportive social environments for children with cognitive/intellectual disabilities.

In order to achieve the goals of this project, the current capacity for supporting the social development of children and youth with intellectual disabilities will be examined in three target communities (Toronto, Ontario; Regina, Saskatchewan; Fredericton, New Brunswick) using a participatory action approach. Key informant interviews, focus groups, surveys and community networking events will be used for this examination. An extensive analysis of the environmental scans and evaluations will be conducted. Finally, appropriate strategies and tools based on the findings of the interviews, focus groups and surveys will be developed. The tools developed may include, but will not be limited to, fact sheets, professional tools, videos, expert panel discussions, community workshops, community networking events, brochures, and best practice guidelines.  All tools will be disseminated widely including availability on the Kids Health Foundation’s (The Sandbox Project’s) existing website (www.sandboxproject.ca) to accomplish national reach. The tools and strategies will focus on developing, building and strengthening community capacity for social development of children and youth with disabilities.

This project anticipates engaging 30 to 50 community organizations, programs, and key stakeholders and as many families as possible. The tools developed will be family focused and intended to strengthen the existing capacity for social development of children and youth with disabilities; foster the community environment; build awareness and education surrounding the social development needs of this population of children as well as the challenges faced by families of children and youth with disabilities.

If you are a parent or a primary care-giver of a child/youth with a disability, help us with this project by taking a few minutes to complete a survey. The survey questions pertain to your family and child and the services and programs that your community currently offers to support the social development of your child with disability. There are no specific questions concerning any organization or agency. Your responses will be completely confidential as there is no identifying information associated with the survey. Should you choose to participate in the survey, you are free to withdraw at any point by clicking on the "exit and clear" option at the bottom of the page. You have the option of not answering any questions that you do not wish to by simply skipping those questions. You also have the option of starting the survey and resuming it later to complete it at a more convenient time by clicking on the "Resume Later" option on the screen. Please help us achieve the goals of this project by giving us a few minutes of your time; help us strengthen your communities for our children and youth!