Independence through

In 1989, a group of motivated parents lobbied the provincial government of Ontario as advocates for their children with deafblindness in an attempt to secure funding for community based supported living programs to commence when the children completed their education. Independent Living Residences for the Deafblind in Ontario (ILRDBO), was born out of this movement, and on April 6, 1989 we were incorporated as an not for profit organization. Initially there were three homes in York Region with three individuals with congenital deafblindness residing in each location.

The support offered in the homes would model that of the education system that the deafblind individuals were familiar with where Intervenor services would be provided to promote independence and help the individual with deafblindness realize their potential.

Today, DeafBlind Ontario Services is the largest not-for-profit organization providing housing and 24/7 Intervenor/support services to adults who are congenitally deafblind across the province.  Our service model ensures our clients goals meet their desires, preferences and abilities through a person-centered approach delivered by specially trained Intervenors.  Today, we support congenitally deafblind adults in 14 residences and 3 apartment locations in York Region, Simcoe County, Middlesex-Oxford, Peterborough, Kitchener-Waterloo and Ottawa regions and through specialized community programs.