I'm in Ontario and have Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD) and learning disabilities that affect my reading, writing, communication, and ability to process information.

I've been having difficulty getting appropriate disability accommodations, particularly when dealing with educational institutions and other organizations.

One of my biggest challenges is that my disabilities affect my ability to communicate, yet I'm expected to explain my needs, understand complicated processes, complete forms, and advocate for myself.

I've had professional assessments completed that include recommendations for accommodations. However, I've found that organizations sometimes approve basic accommodations, such as extra time on tests, assignments, or breaks, without fully addressing the communication and processing difficulties identified in those assessments.

When something is misunderstood or an accommodation isn't provided, I'm expected to recognize the problem, explain what went wrong, and follow up. These are some of the very difficulties my accommodations are supposed to address.

I've spent over a year contacting different organizations looking for advocacy support. Some focus on children and youth, while others provide employment services, legal information, or referrals. I've received plenty of information, but haven't found anyone who can actually help me communicate my needs and advocate for appropriate accommodations.

I use AI to help organize my thoughts and communicate in writing. It has made a significant difference in my ability to explain things, but it doesn't replace having someone who understands disability accommodations and can provide advocacy support.

I'm wondering whether anyone else in Ontario has experienced similar difficulties.

Are there organizations that provide direct advocacy assistance for adults with learning disabilities or communication difficulties, rather than just information and referrals?

How are people with communication disabilities supposed to access appropriate accommodations when the process itself depends so heavily on their ability to communicate and advocate for themselves?

Marinela Trickett (a psychotherapist in Guelph) has launched a petition to make OHIP include mental health (namely, psychotherapy) coverage. As someone who has personally faced many barriers (financial or otherwise) in accessing mental health services, this is something that could be life-changing, and I'm sure many others share these experiences. If this is something you want to see happen, please help sign the petition! IMPORTANT: The Ontario Legislature only accepts original hand-written signatures. Please print the document and physically sign it, and help get other people to sign too!

Completed petition forms can be mailed to Trickett Psychotherapy, 34 Harvard Road, Unit 2, Guelph, ON N1G 4V8; if cost is an issue, I will be more than happy to personally pick it up and mail it for you!

Petition press release: https://ohipforpsychotherapy.ca/press.php

Show your support online (note: the phsyical petition is still the only legally-recognized means): https://ohipforpsychotherapy.ca/#sign

Petition (English) to print: https://ohipforpsychotherapy.ca/docs/petition-ohip-psychotherapy-EN.pdf

Petition (French) to print: https://ohipforpsychotherapy.ca/docs/petition-psychotherapie-OHIP-FR.pdf

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with Marinela Trickett. This is something I'm doing on my own time because I believe in how meaningful it is.

How quiet is "quiet" when your neighbour's bedroom faces your backyard?

Planning winter backup for the fridge, Wi-Fi, lights and gas furnace blower.

I was originally planning to get the Honda EU2200i for portability and the ability to refuel during longer outages. Then I remembered our neighbourhood's nighttime noise limit is 45 dBA. Honda lists it at 48 dBA at quarter load and 57 dBA at rated load, so im worried it might not work for overnight use. I know it depends on how much noise actually reaches the neighbours, though.

That got me looking at battery backup too. The TITAN Classic is one of the options im considering. The base model has 5 kWh of capacity and 4 kW of 120 V output, and the manufacturer's site lists it at under 30 dB. Getting through the night without an engine running outside or getting up to refuel sounds appealing. I'd still need to check running and startup loads for either option, plus whether 5 kWh would get me through the night.

What do you guys think? Any other quiet generators you'd recommend? I'd love to hear what's actually worked for you. TIA!

Hi, so for context I'm a student that's living in a house with roommates. I moved here about 2 months ago, and the lock was never easy to lock/unlock, but it was still doable. This past month, it's been nearly impossible to lock/unlock the front door from the inside or outside. My roommates and I have gotten our keys stuck in the lock and had to force it out, sometimes requiring 2 people to do so. The landlord came to check it out last week and claimed that it worked "fine" despite us having to put our whole bodyweight into getting it to actually lock. We are literally sweating and out of breath doing this btw. I honestly think that this is a pretty big safety issue, especially since there was a break-in at the corner store across the street. He's coming to "check" it again tomorrow, but I don't know if anything will get done. What should I do in this situation? Any advice is appreciated, thanks!

Edit: Thank you to the people who suggested lubricating it, which could help not getting the key stuck, but I think it might be a structural issue with the door/door frame. I tried turning it while the door was open and it was fine, but not when I'm actually trying to lock it.

I'm from Quebec not knowing the area in Mississauga for the weekend and twice my damn google map gave me the 407 ETR toll route by default. I TRIED to dodge the route by canceling but all 3 suggested routes were going through the toll. I expected to pay about 8$ max per trip and I'll pay over 20$ for each trip instead. Wtf

I heard of Harris selling a 99 year lease the highway for 3 billion. Wtf is this? He must 100% be corrupted to make this kind of deal. 99 years??? With inflation 3 bn will become worth 300M in 99 years. I'm so pissed and I'm also sorry Ontario. This should've been illegal.

P.S. I did enable avoiding tolls on Google Map after this. Thanks for letting me know about it

I'd like to see what is life like in Brighton Ontario?

Is Elizabeth st noisy with ambulances or fire engines or police? Whas the vibe like in Brighton Ontario?

I’ve been looking at Georgina lately, more so I am outdoorsy so a friend recommended checking out an area called Willow Beach or Jackson’s Point? I’m interested to hear from people who actually live in that area.

Which neighbourhoods would you recommend and are there any you’d personally avoid?

A few things I am interested in:
• Overall safety and if you feel comfortable walking around at night
• Quiet, friendly neighbourhoods with a sense of community
• Any issues with crime, break-ins, noise, recurring problems?

Would really appreciate honest opinions, especially from people who are living there or have lived there recently.

Thanks in advance!

Im looking to vote today in the Vaughan municipal election, and for some of the positions (like school board trustee), I have multiple candidates I'd be okay with winning and 1 I really don't want to win.

I'll admit I haven't been too involved with my local city's politica so far, so that's somewhat on me for not having a pulse on who is how popular.

But my concern is, is there any way to find out which candidates are more/less popular? I'm worried about splitting my vote and possibly ending up with my only hated option.

I tried looking up polls but had no luck, and what discussions I could find online for my city were all limited to the mayoral race and maybe an occasional councillor.