Connections PDF - Reena

March, 2010
Bridging Diversity
What is Diversity
Diversity is commonly
understood in terms of
dimensions that include but
are not limited to race, age,
place of origin, religion,
ancestry, Aboriginal status,
skin colour, citizenship, sex,
gender, identity, sexual
orientation, ethnic origin,
disability/ability, marital,
parental or family status,
same-sex partnership status,
creed, language, educational
background, literacy level,
geographic location, income
level, cultural tradition and
work experience.
Source: Ontario Healthy
Communities Coalition
Bridging Diversity
Team
Sue Lynch, Sponsor
Bob Ferguson, Lead
Layla Ibrahim
Kelly Kearns
John Balatka
Karen Bell
Anne Sarwan
Shawn Ratnasingam
Fasika Mitiku
Robin Siannas
Linda Carmichael
Shaneen Duffield
Eileen Wan
Nooreen Pirbhai
Sherrill Barnes
Hidden Pride
By John Balatka
In 2009, the Bridging Diversity
Working Group announced it was
expanding its focus, which included
researching and gaining knowledge of
the needs of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual,
Transgender and Questioning (LGBTQ)
community. From that research we will
develop specific goals in working with
this community.
In the Working Group’s workplan
three goals were identified:
Determine the needs of LGBTQ
service recipients at Community
Living Toronto.
Compile a database of LGBTQ
supports and services in Toronto that
are inclusive or exclusive to people
with intellectual disabilities, and
Analyze the results to determine
service gaps for LGBTQ service
recipients at CL Toronto.
Here are some preliminary findings
from our research:
Goal 1 – Service Needs
Based on interviews that were
conducted, it would appear that there
is some resistance to the acceptance
of some individuals’ sexual
orientation.
Plain language LGBTQ information
needs to be available and posted on
sites like ConnectABILITY.ca.
An adult LGBTQ peer/support group
needs to be created, based on the
model of SprOUT, a peer group for
youth.
Goal 2 – Database of Services
There are numerous LGBTQ supports
and services in Toronto. A few,
like the youth support group ‘Compass’
at the Griffin Centre, are specifically
designed for individuals with
developmental disabilities and/or dual
diagnoses. Members of the Diversity
Working Group are still determining the
degree of inclusiveness of these LGBTQ
supports and services. In the future, a
database of the inclusive LGBTQ
supports and services will be available
to staff and individuals in service.
Goal 3 – Identify Service Gaps
A number of service gaps have been
identified:
1. Lack of education for staff and
families in supporting LGBTQ
individuals with developmental
disabilities.
2. Lack of plain language LGBTQ
information that is readily available
to individuals in service.
3. Lack of a adult peer/support group
for individuals with developmental
disabilities in
Toronto.
These findings are preliminary
and more research is required, however,
we are looking at next steps and how
we can better support people.
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