A Sudbury organization focused on increasing independence for individuals with disabilities is celebrating 20 years.
Independent Living Sudbury Manitoulin offers a range of supports, including programs, services and employment, maintaining its commitment to make Sudbury the most accessible city in the province.
The organization started in February 2003 in a small house on Haig Street, moving to Rainbow Mall and eventually locating to its current home on Durham Street.
Executive director Angela Gray said, while much has changed in the last two decades, the organization has steadily grown.
"We know according to (Statistics) Canada there are 37,000 people in the City of Greater Sudbury that identifies with a disability and that’s a huge consumer base," Gray said.
"So we offer any and all programming to help people to stay independent in their own homes."
Through the Ontario Ministry of Health, the organization offers a flagship program called Direct Funding. It allows people with permanent physical disabilities to access government grant money on a monthly basis to hire their own attendants, increasing independence.
"This way they control those schedules and the people coming in and out of their homes,” she said.
“These self-managers become employers.”
Gray said there are 30 self-managers in Sudbury and she would like to see that number grow.
"The 30 self-managers have at least three employees so not only are we providing this flexibility and independence, we are also creating jobs right here in the city," she said.
The organization is member-led, with weekly meetings to understand how the organization can better support individuals with disabilities.
Brian Norton has been a member since Day 1. Norton said he feels a sense of belonging.
"I go in and see other people with disabilities and wheelchairs and I joined," he said.
"I've been a member ever since."
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James Whyte, a member for 20 years, said his voice is heard with the member-led approach.
"Most organizations put the members first, but this truly is, they do put the members (first)," Whyte said.
"That’s one of the reasons why I keep going."
Independent Living will mark its official celebration with a barbecue at Bell Park on Aug. 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The public is welcome to attend.
