Founded in 1955, Community Living Mississauga is a non-profit, charitable organization which provides support to individuals who have an intellectual disability.
We are governed by a volunteer Board of Directors consisting of people we support, family members and concerned members of the community.
Our mission is providing support to individuals who have an intellectual disability to ensure their quality of life in the community is meaningfully improved.
Our vision is that all people will live in a state of dignity and respect, and share in all elements of living in a community which is welcoming, accepting and inclusive of all individuals. All people will have the freedom to make choices and decisions that enable them to achieve self-determination.
Our philosophy is that all people will live in a state of dignity and respect, share in all elements of living in a community which is welcoming, accepting and inclusive of all individuals. All people will have the freedom to make choices and decisions that enable them to achieve self-determination.
We believe that people who have an intellectual disability have a right to live in the community and to participate actively in community life.
Each individual, regardless of disability, should enjoy the full rights of citizenship and the full experience of membership in the community.
BASIC SERVICE PRINCIPLES
1. The major role of the Association is to ensure that people have available to them the support they require to participate effectively in the community, alongside other members of the community.
2. Each individual should receive the type and amount of support required by that individual for effective participation.
3. To the maximum extent possible, individuals should be encouraged and supported to exercise choices and to make decisions that affect their lives.
4. All individuals should be provided with on-going opportunities for growth and development.
5. It is recognized that “risk” is a necessary part of life for everyone. Attempts to eliminate risk entirely invariably deny people opportunities for dignity and growth. Nevertheless, such risk must be within reasonable levels.
6. Close, caring relationships are a vital part of everyone’s life. People should be encouraged to maintain existing important relationships and supported in the development of new ones.
7. Programs which congregate and segregate people who have an intellectual disability stop people from becoming an integral part of their community. Therefore, we will attempt over time to develop alternatives to these programs.
8. Planning should be individual.