Services and support that promote individual choice
Independent
Living Services
And Support
Apply for Services
As a fully accredited member of Independent living Canada, NCIL is one of 24 centres which exist to promote the full participation of persons with disabilities as citizens.
We are here to help individuals who live with a disability, living in the Niagara Region, gain the skills, resources, and confidence they need to live independently.
Services at NCIL Include:
- Work Link Employment Services
- Direct Funding Self-Managed Attendant Services
- Community Participation/ Peer Supports
- Individual & System Advocacy
- Information & Networking
- Supporting Seniors
- Skills Development & Workshops
- Community Development
We also have our computer lab with various accessible technologies and a telephone for our consumers to use free of charge.
Employment Services | WORKLINK
Work Link provides tailored employee assistance to adults with disabilities throughout Niagara Region. Our case managers will work with you to create a Return-to-work Action Plan that works best for your situation.
This program is funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario
For more information or to submit a request call 905-684-7111 x 222
About Work Link
Work Link provides free individually tailored employment assistance to adults with disabilities in the Niagara Region.
Our experienced employment facilitators have significant credentials in working with persons with disabilities and will work with you to create a return-to-work-plan that
works best for your situation and which may include:
• Assistance with career exploration and decision-making
• Creating a professional resume and cover letter
• Accessing funding for skills training
• Job search assistance
• Accessing your eligibility for retraining under Better Jobs Ontario
• Discussing workplace accommodations
• Various workshops
• Satellite locations to suit your needs throughout Niagara
• Referral to NCIL Advocacy staff to provide in-house wrap-around support (if necessary)
Our qualified staff work with you to craft a professional resume. Our centre has computers and printers available for this use.
With over 100 years of collective experience in working with persons with a disability, our staff are experts when working with job seekers, and understand the implications of every choice made in the process of finding work.
We work with local employers to help you find the right job that suits your strengths and requirements. Working with you one-on-one, our staff will inform you of available positions and coordinate the interview process, aid you in preparation for the interview, and provide follow up consultations.
Direct Funding Attendant Services
The Direct Funding (DF) Self-Managed Attendant Services Program embodies the key principles of the Independent Living philosophy: choice, flexibility and control! Direct Funding offers opportunities for caregivers to hire their own care providers, ex. nurses, personal support workers, etc. through the program.
This innovative program is funded by the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care and administered by the Centre for Independent Living in Toronto. Niagara Centre for Independent Living provides information and support to Self-Managers in Niagara, Brant, Haldimand and Norfolk.
For more information or to submit a request call Anne Marie at 905-684-7111 x 231
Choice
Recruit and schedule attendants based on your individual needs.
Flexibility
Have your needs met at home, at school, at work or in the community
Control
Receive monthly funds to hire, direct and manage your own attendants.
- Enables adults with a physical disability, who require attendant services for personal care, to become employers of their own attendant
- Attendants assist with routine activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, transferring and toileting
- You receive monthly funds to pay your attendants and the program is portable throughout Ontario.
- Support applying for this program, and maintaining it.
- Find out more www.dfontario.ca
You can apply for Direct Funding if:
- You are 16 or over
- You are a resident of Ontario, with a valid Ontario Health Card
- You require attendant services due to a permanent physical disability
- You can direct your own care
Peer - Community Participation Support
Providing local community interaction opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities. This program accepts referrals through Developmental Services Ontario.
This program is funded fully by Ontario Ministry of Children, Community & Social Services
For more information or to submit a request call 905-684-7111 ex 225
About DSO
Developmental Services Ontario provides support in the following ways:
- Assisting you to increase your independent living skills
- Providing opportunities to actively participate in your community through leisure activities, sports, work and volunteering
- Utilizing knowledgeable professionals to provide support and guidance to learn new skills and activities
- Listening to you and implementing your ideas to turn your goals into reality
- Encouraging life-long learning
- Helping you to learn skills to help yourself
Niagara Centre for Independent Living Community Participation supports, offers services to persons with a developmental disability to help reach their full potential. We can provide educational services facilitated by professionals that can help consumers learn new skills and develop their interests. We have a variety of recreational and social events. We challenge people to become active contributors in their own communities.
AdvocaCY Services
Our advocacy services assist you with expressing your opinions and making your views heard so you may lead change in your life.
This program is funded in part by United Way Niagara.This program is funded in part by the Ontario Ministry of Children, Community & Social Services.
For more information or to submit a request call 905-684-7111 x 222
About Advocacy
Our advocacy program assists you in representing your interests and exercising your rights. Our programs help ensure that you have the relevant information to make the right decisions about your goals in life and issues that matter to you.
Services Available
Individual Advocacy
Provision of and advocacy for individual health/medical stability needs/supports & referrals, assistance with obtaining & navigating health care/community care systems, short term counselling & referral.
Community Connection
Refer and connect to community services –i.e., seniors centres, library and local community centre programs, refer to most appropriate service provider for housing, crisis services with “warm transfers” whenever possible.
Pre-employment Services,
Assistance with volunteer work connections, education connection for completion of high school, applying for post-secondary education.
Financial stability
Assistance with ODSP applications, discretionary benefits, CPP disability applications, LTD applications, Veteran’s Affairs Canada, disability tax credit, RDSPs and related advocacy.
Transportation/ Mobility
Applications for Niagara Specialized Transit, Paratransit systems, service dogs, accessing ADP for assistive devices, OMOD transportation, home modification programs.
Supporting Seniors
with disabilities, education & prevention of elder abuse.
Accessibility/Inclusion
Advocate for accessibility for persons with disabilities in the community, education and encouragement, benefits of accessible inclusive workplaces, businesses.
Housing services
Partner with other agencies, we specialize in accessible housing services, referrals to Niagara Renovates Program, and educate individuals, builders /landlords. Participate in system advocacy regarding homelessness in Niagara Region.
DETAILS
We can meet you in our main office in St. Catharines or at a location suitable to you within the Niagara Region.