Income Security: A Roadmap for Change

people with disabilities The proposed legislative framework and rebranding of
Ontario Works will reflect the view that anyone who comes in the door—whether
for short-term assistance or for help on the way to receiving longer-term support
under ODSP—must have access to the holistic wraparound services they need
The person-centred and supportive case management approach, which forms
part of the proposed culture shift, is critically important for both programs
In ODSP, for example, many people currently have limited contact with their
caseworkers unless they initiate it. This is largely due to the high volume of files
assigned to each caseworker
People with disabilities have ambitions and aspirations. Caseworkers
should provide supports to people to help realize those aspirations.
Those supports might include assistance in accessing post-secondary
education, employment supports, or support to engage in volunteer
opportunities that connect people with their communities, whether
or not those activities lead to employment.
DETAILED RECOMMENDATIONS
9.1
Recognize the continued need for a distinct income support
program for people with disabilities
9.2
Retain the current ODSP definition of disability.
9.3
Continue work with the Disability Adjudication Working
Group to streamline and improve the ODSP application and
adjudication process
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