The FAO represents families who have a member with a disability. We have played a key role in organizing and supporting families in Ontario since the autumn of 1993. Our mission statement is:
Family Alliance Ontario offers knowledge, tools and networking opportunities to individuals with disabilities and their families to assist them to realize a vision that includes having valued relationships, choice and control in their lives and
enables inclusion through meaningful contribution and participation in their communities.
Many families in the province are suffering from inadequate support and a lack of choice. These are difficult times. We believe we play a unique and critical role by giving voice to the needs and concerns of families across this province.
- We promote building the capacity of families by looking at the strengths of families.
- We connect families with specific challenges with other families or expert resources throughout the province.
- We give the perspective of families to government policy consultations and decision-making forums.
- We offer families with an additional avenue for the Ontario government to be made aware of their needs after all other local avenues are exhausted.
- We are a member of provincial groups such as the Individualized Funding Coalition, the Coalition for Inclusive Education and the SSAH Coalition, all of whom work to advance issues that are of critical importance to families.
The FAO has operated on a shoestring budget for the past number of years. We have no staff. Volunteers perform all of our work. Our revenue comes from our family memberships, donations and fundraising income. Each year, in additional to supporting individuals and networks we produce and distribute province-wide at least two newsletters (The Compass) and sponsor a very successful provincial conference for families.
We are proud of what we have accomplished to-date, and want to do more. But we won’t be able to continue to give voice to the needs and concerns of families across the province unless we can maintain and build our membership base.
Our regular family membership is $25.00. If you are unable to support us to this level, we are happy to accept whatever you can contribute. Please mail your cheque to us at Family Alliance Ontario , c/o Hamilton Family Network, 22 Leeming Street, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8L 5T3.
Thank you for your continued support.
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