Innovation Spotlight | Inclusive Community Centres

by Lori Morphy, SARC Trainer/Resource Developer – Service Delivery, February 17, 2025

Imagine a place in the community that offers programs and services that are fully inclusive – welcoming people of all ages, abilities, and socioeconomic status. Where people with intellectual and cognitive disabilities don’t just ‘visit’ but are part of a truly inclusive community.  

An inclusive community centre is a place designed to welcome and serve people from diverse backgrounds, regardless of factors like age, race, ability, gender, socioeconomic status, or cultural differences. It focuses on creating an environment where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to participate in activities and programs. This type of centre offers programs that meet the needs of different groups, such as those for people with disabilities, youth, seniors, immigrants, and other underrepresented communities. The centre’s goal is to foster a sense of belonging, reduce barriers to access, and promote social inclusion through education, recreational activities, support services, and community engagement.

Welcome to Abilities Centre in Whitby, Ontario.

Abilities Centre is a membership based, non-profit organization, where anyone can become a member and participate in their programs and activities.

The dream of Abilities Centre began in the early 2000s, with a group of accessibility and inclusion champions who saw the urgent need for increased programming and services for people with disabilities in the Durham Region and across Canada. Their vision was to create a place where people of all ages and abilities could come together and realize their full potential, and in the process, change the social fabric of our communities and country. 

Today, Abilities Centre serves more than 100,000 visitors each year, and delivers a multitude of skills development, employment, Therapeutic Recreation, sport & recreation, and training & education programs and services across Ontario and Canada.  (Abilities Centre Website)

Abilities Centre offers a wide range of programming including:

• Mixed Ability Sport
• High performance sport training for all abilities (including Paralympic and Special Olympic athletes)
• Therapeutic Recreation for all ages
• Skill development and employment services, including “Thrive” – an adult day program for people with developmental disabilities.
• Training and education workshops, certificate programs, and consulting
• Sensory room

Check out a snapshot of their 2023-2024 Impact Report by watching the video below.

Want to learn more?  You can find the full Impact Report by clicking the button below.

Want to know more about mixed ability sports? Check out International Mixed Ability Sports by clicking the button below.

Can you imagine a place like this in your community?

(This blog post utilized insights from ChatGPT to assist in the drafting and editing process)

Do you have an innovative idea, service, or story that you’d like to share?
We want to hear from you! Contact SARC’s Communications Coordinator at ahoffart@sarcan.sk.ca