Discover how e3 is transforming support services in South Georgian Bay through a bold, person-directed, and co-produced approach. This session will showcase e3’s journey in redesigning services, featuring firsthand experiences from Liam, an advocate for change, Cory, a dedicated team lead, and Dan, a consultant who co-facilitated the co-design process. You’ll gain insights into e3’s financial sustainability model and learn practical steps to foster meaningful change. Join us to see how empowering individuals as Directors and Co-Producers of their own support can create services that truly reflect their dreams and aspirations.

This session will run from 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM on Wednesday April 30 at the Blue Mountain Resort & Conference Centre. 

On Feb. 27, 2025, the Progressive Conservative Party was re-elected for a third term in Ontario. In order to advance the DS sector’s priorities, we need to continue to learn how to work effectively with them.  What works? What have we learned? Join us for a Panel discussion, led by former PC MPP Jeremy Roberts,  on government relations and advocacy and how this Government Thinks. Whether you're an organisation, advocate, or community leader, this session will equip you with the tools to better understand and navigate the current political landscape in Ontario and amplify your impact.

Developmental Services Lawyer Alan McCallum will provide essential guidance on navigating the complex balance between the rights of people supported, their families, employees, and agencies. This session will explore key legal considerations, including autonomy, dignity, and personal choice, while ensuring compliance with health and safety obligations. Topics will also cover addressing abuse and harassment claims, legislative compliance, tenancy challenges in shared housing, and best practices for leadership and governance. Gain valuable insights into fostering a fair, legally sound, and respectful environment for all stakeholders.

Despite Ontario’s $701M Passport funding commitment, hundreds of millions go unused each year. This interactive session, led by Kim Thorn (YSSN) and Paul Fleming (People Minded Business), will unveil key findings from a groundbreaking collaboration among 40+ agencies in Ontario’s Central Region. Learn why some agencies achieve over 75% utilization while others struggle, and gain practical, data-driven strategies to boost funding access. Walk away with actionable tools to help families receive the support they deserve and ensure Passport funds are fully utilized to enhance lives.

Quality services in the developmental sector are not just operational goals but essential leadership priorities. Led by Dawn Lee, ED Inclusion Northumberland, this session equips executive directors, CEOs, and agency leaders with actionable strategies to embed quality into their organizations. Key topics include leveraging accreditation standards and performance metrics for continuous improvement, strengthening professional networks through workforce engagement and best practices, and embracing data-driven decision-making for long-term sustainability. Through real-world case studies and interactive discussions, participants will gain practical insights to enhance service outcomes, mitigate risks, and position their organizations as leaders in innovation and excellence.

Finding sustainable housing solutions for individuals with developmental disabilities requires thinking beyond traditional models. This session, led by Tina Williams, a member of the OASIS Housing Committee and Executive Director at Community Living Upper Ottawa Valley, will explore building partnerships with landlords and developers to secure tenancies in existing buildings while ensuring the necessary living supports are in place.

Presented by Tina Williams, attendees will learn how to engage private sector partners, navigate challenges, and create mutually beneficial arrangements that increase housing opportunities for people with developmental disabilities. The session will also draw on insights from the OASIS Housing Committee’s recent work, highlighting how agencies can advocate for policies and practices that foster inclusive living.

Ontario's Employment Services Transformation has had a significant negative impact on ODSP Employment Service providers, including developmental service agencies, with reduced funding and policies that are not disability-friendly. Presented by Shawn Pegg, CLO, this session will provide developmental service leaders and employment program staff with insights into recent survey data, advocacy efforts, and trends in the sector. Presenters will review challenges faced by service providers and lead a discussion on how to improve Integrated Employment Services to better support job seekers with intellectual disabilities.

Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie LLP is a leading law firm in Canada representing employers on human resources and advocacy matters, with intimate knowledge of local labour and employment issues. This presentation, led by Charles V. Hofley, will provide a comprehensive overview of recent updates in labour/employment, with a focus on issues that directly impact the developmental services sector, through a review of recent jurisprudence and trends covering the areas of labour negotiation/arbitration, employment, and human rights.

Join Michelle Del Carmen, OADD Chair, and Tracey Berman, OADD Chair Elect, as they provide an overview of the Ontario Association on Developmental Disabilities (OADD), which has been a key platform for discussion, resource sharing, education, and networking in Ontario for 36 years. The session will highlight OADD’s evolution, focusing on its two annual conferences and research event designed to disseminate valuable information and resources to those in the developmental disabilities field. Attendees will also learn about the Journal on Developmental Disabilities (JoDD), a peer-reviewed research publication that showcases the latest developments in developmental services and supports.

Presented by Yvonne Spicer from the Successful Advocacy Research Group, this research study investigates the gap between available Passport Funding and the unmet needs of individuals with intellectual disabilities in Ontario. Through a province-wide survey of 422 respondents, including those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, the study reveals key insights on access barriers and the accommodations needed for participation in online spaces. The interim results highlight how many individuals rely on assistance from family members or support workers to navigate these processes. This session will explore how agencies can better support people with disabilities, particularly by improving access to online resources and increasing the utilization of available funding to help individuals live authentic lives.