July 1, 2011 The Ontario Developmental Services Act is repealed and replaced by the Services and Supports to Promote the Social Inclusion of Persons with Developmental Disabilities Act.

The Services and Supports to Promote the Social Inclusion of Persons with Developmental Disabilities Act was first introduced in 2008, and came into effect in three stages between July 1, 2010 and July 1, 2011. It follows the Developmental Services Act in shifting away from institutionalized care, and towards a system of services and supports intended to help individuals with developmental disabilities live and participate in their communities.

Critics of the Services and Supports to Promote the Social Inclusion of Persons with Developmental Disabilities Act point out it can still be difficult for individuals to gain access to services, especially since they must be “certified” as developmentally disabled by a medical or health care professional, whose assessment in turn is governed by a strict set of criteria.

-Caroline Lyster

• Government of Ontario. (2008). Services and Supports to Promote the Social Inclusion of Persons with Developmental Disabilities Act, 2008. S.O. 2008, Chapter 14. Retrieved from http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/statutes/english/elaws_statutes_08s14_e.htm.

• Joffe, K. (2010). Enforcing the Rights of People with Disabilities in Ontario’s Developmental Services System. Law Commission of Ontario. Retrieved from http://www.archdisabilitylaw.ca.

• Perspective on Developmental Services in Ontario. (n.d.). Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services. Retrieved from http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/publications/developmentalServices/opportunitiesAndAction/perspective.aspx.