Advocacy Organizations and Resources

Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA)
Act’s goal is to make Ontario accessible for people with disabilities by 2025. Mandatory accessibility standards are the law for private and public sector organizations in customer service, employment, information and communications and transportation.

Consent and Capacity Board
Independent body created by the Ontario government that conducts hearings under the Mental Health Act, the Health Care Consent Act, the Personal Health Information Protection Act and the Substitute Decisions Act.

Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee
Part of the Ministry of the Attorney General. Protects mentally incapable people, i.e., when someone can’t understand information or what may happen as a result of decisions they make—or don’t make—about their finances, health or personal care.

Ontario Ombudsman’s Office
Investigates complaints about government services and Ministries. (Does not investigate complaints against hospitals, school boards, doctors or lawyers.)

Ontario Brain Injury Association 
(OBIA) Personal advocacy and support.

Support for Students
Students with ABI may need different kinds of support. The Education Act requires that all school boards provide special education programming for students with “exceptional” status. Information on the process for identifying a student as “exceptional” and deciding services they should receive is found here.