Resource Links
*Note: These links and resources are being provided as a convenience and for informational purposes only; they do not constitute an endorsement or an approval by the Mississauga Association for Independent Living of any of the products, services or opinions of the corporation or organization or individual. Mississauga Association for Independent Living bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality or content of external sites or for that of subsequent links. Contact the external site for answers to questions regarding its content.
** COVID-19 Attestation of Eligibility Form – Vaccination **
Click Here for Attestation Form
MAIL’s Twitter Account
twitter.com/MAIL_charity
MAIL’s Instagram Account
instagram.com/mail_charity/
MAIL’s Facebook Page
facebook.com/MAILcharity
Canadian Abilities Foundation
abilities.ca
Applewood Centre for Adult Learning
applewoodcentre.com
Autism Treatment Services of Canada
autism.ca
Autism Ontario
autismontario.com
UK National Autistic Society
autism.org.uk/
The Ultimate Guide to Hearing Loss
besthearinghealth.com/hearing-loss/
CACL-NET-Canadian Association for Community Living
cacl.ca
Child Development Resource Connection Peel
cdrcp.com
Ontario Ministry of Children & Youth: Special Needs Support
children.gov.on.ca/htdocs/English/specialneeds/index.aspx
Community Living Mississauga
clmiss.ca
Dani: Developing and Nurturing Independence
dani-toronto.com/
Autism and Dental Care – A Guide
emergencydentistsusa.com/autism-and-dental-care/
Answers to All of Your Special Needs Dentistry Questions
emergencydentistsusa.com/dentably
How to Help Your Child with Autism Cope During and After a Move
homeadvisor.com/r/moving-with-autistic-child/
Sprout (USA Based): Parents’ Guide: So Your Child Has Been Diagnosed With Autism…
joinsprouttherapy.com/guides/parents-guide
City of Mississauga
mississauga.ca
Communicating with an Autistic Child: A Parent’s Guide
wiseoldsayings.com/communicating-with-an-autistic-child-a-parents-guide.php
SNOW: Inclusive Learning and Education
snow.idrc.ocad.ca
Sensory Overload: Teaching children with autism to take medication
singlecare.com/blog/teaching-children-with-autism-medication/
How to Create an Autism-Friendly Sensory Garden
diygardening.co.uk/create-sensory-garden/
Guide to Living With Sensory Overload
householdquotes.co.uk/sensory-overload/
Sensory Sensitivities and Autism
autism.org.uk/sensory
Options Mississauga
http://www.optionsmississauga.com/
http://www.arts-optionsmississauga.com/
Netflix: Watch Love on the Spectrum
https://www.netflix.com/ca/title/81265493
UHN Internship Program for Youth with Disabilities
uhn.ca/corporate/News/Pages/UHN_launches_internship_program_for_youth_with_disabilities.aspx
27 Games & Activities For Kids With Autism
word.tips/games-for-kids-with-autism/
Virtual COVID-19 Friendly Field Trips Around the World
couponfollow.com/research/virtual-field-trips
COVID-19 Information and Updates
 Website: COVID-19 Outbreak Updates and Numbers |
|
|
|
 Website: The World HealthOrganization COVID-19 Page |
Well-Being and Activities
Website: Resources to protect 
Website: Try Out a 
Website: Try Out a 
Video: Let’s Get Moving 
Video: We Wear Masks – 
Video: Coronavirus for Kids: 
Video: CBC Kids: What Is 
Guide: Living with Worry & 
WM + A: Specialized 
The Redpath Centre:
Learning, Exploring, and Fun
Video: Learn to Make 
Learn: Check out Toronto’s tourism
Learn: Explore All the Google Arts 
Game: Play Classic Games 
Video: Enjoy a [Virtual] Ride 
Explore: Live Cams from 
Explore: Videos from 
Learn: Free & Fun Educational 
Video: Rock Painting Ideas 
Video: Craft Time with 
Learn: Scholastic Learn 
Explore: GoogleArts & 
Explore: Nature from 
Road Trip from Home: 
100+ Free Video 
Musée du Louvre 
Mvsei Vaticani M.A.I.L. Communications
NOVEMBER 9TH, 2020
Good afternoon MAIL members,
The board has recently learned of a COVID-19 credit for a one-time payment to persons with disabilities. This non-taxable, non-reportable, one-time payment provides up to $600 in recognition of the extraordinary expenses incurred by persons with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the website, if you were eligible you need not apply and you should automatically receive such a credit; some have received theirs via cheque last week. If you would like to read more about the details of this credit please see below:
The details can be found at the following website:
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/covid19-emergency-benefits/one-time-payment-persons-disabilities.html
Or by calling:
Disability Tax Credit
Telephone: 1-800-959-8281
TTY: 1-800-665-0354
Information about other COVID-19 benefits can be found on the Government of Canada’s website here:
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/covid19-emergency-benefits.html
AUGUST 19TH, 2020
Hello M.A.I.L. Family!
It has been an interesting summer, unlike anything we have ever experienced before. We hope that you and your family have been keeping well and safe and still enjoying some of the nice weather. While the world looks very different, M.A.I.L. will always be here for our members and have been trying to provide resources for you.
While we had to cancel our classes early, miss our Spring Dance and the Picnic, we have tried to reach out and connect with our members in different ways.
We have developed a COVID Resource Page on our website which can be found here: http://mail-info.ca/resourcelinks/ (scroll down). This includes some videos for exercise and crafts to engage our members. We also provided masks to all our members free of charge, as this has become the new reality, with the opportunity to purchase extra ones for family members well ahead of the Peel mask mandate.
To update you, we have not been invited by the school board to apply for permits for our LEP and Social classes for the 2020/2021 sessions. If and when this changes, the Board will advise. We are endeavoring to offer weekly LEP classes through videos made by Stella and Katie. We are working out the details and will advise how this will work.
The LEP classes will be available to all members who have a current membership with M.A.I.L. To apply for membership go to our website at http://mail-info.ca/membership/
We will continue to navigate these extraordinary time together and if there is anything M.A.I.L. can help our members with, please reach out and let us know.
Thank you,
JUNE 29TH, 2020
Hello MAIL Members,
In response to the COVID-19 outbreak Ontario has made temporary changes to the Passport program to help recipients. These changes came into effect April 1, 2020.
The Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services has expanded the passport program to include more eligible expenses such as:
– Sensory Items
– Technology
– Home-based Recreation Items
– Personal Protective Equipment
– Essential Service Delivery Fees
– Behavioural Support Plans and Related Interventions
Read on for more details about these changes below:
https://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/programs/developmental/servicesupport/passport.aspx
Thanks
MAY 14TH, 2020
MAY 8TH, 2020
Having a special needs child puts many things into perspective right away. While the world sees and even sometimes pities the limitations your child has, you get to experience what is means to be in the presence of truly unconditional love with someone who gives your spirit knowledge that there is more to life than the material world around us. You are an unrelenting advocate for this special person.
I’m sending a Mother’s Day song to celebrate you. My extremely talented cousin Tyson is the drummer and can be seen in the bottom left-hand corner. Towards the end of the song you will also see his lovely wife Leah, Tyson holding a picture of my amazing Aunt Terry and my two gorgeous nieces Phoebe and Maya holding a picture of their mom. I wanted to send this gift from my family to yours.
We love you, we support you, and above all we thank you for all you have done and continue to do.
Thank you and Happy Mother’s Day!!
Manisha
https://www.facebook.com/20803936/posts/10101541719204359/?d=n
APRIL 28TH, 2020
It’s been a long time since we have all seen each other and it looks as though it may be for a little longer.
Due to the government mandates, we unfortunately had to cancel our L.E.P. classes, our Social Program and Bowling.
We are still reviewing how to deal with our AGM, but it looks as though our beloved picnic will not be possible this year. This breaks my heart as we have always had this event rain or shine but we have to look forward to a day when we can all meet again and we will make sure that M.A.I.L. is still here for you.
The Board has been sending resources and updates to our membership in order to assist you and keep you informed, we hope this has been helpful. The Board is always here for our members if you need assistance or would like to reach out for support.
We are also sending along a couple of videos for our members to watch which we hope you enjoy. If you have video messages for your friends at M.A.I.L. please send them to contact@mail-info.com. We would love to hear from you and will distribute your message to the membership.
We miss you, our extended M.A.I.L. family very much and look forward to better days ahead
Yours Truly,
Manisha Smith
APRIL 23RD, 2020
APRIL 7TH, 2020
If you have stopped working because of COVID-19, the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) may provide you with temporary income support. The CERB provides $500 a week for up to 16 weeks.
Who is eligible
The benefit will be available to workers:
-Residing in Canada, who are at least 15 years old;
-Who have stopped working because of COVID-19 and have not voluntarily quit their job or are eligible for EI regular or sickness benefits;
-Who had income of at least $5,000 in 2019 or in the 12 months prior to the date of their application; and
-Who are or expect to be without employment or self-employment income for at least 14 consecutive days in the initial four-week period. For subsequent benefit periods, they expect to have no employment or self-employment income.
APRIL 6TH, 2020
While schools and child care centres are closed, parents can apply for direct funding to offset the cost of buying materials to support their children’s learning, while they practice self-isolation and physical distancing.
Eligible parents will receive a one-time per child payment of:
$200 for children aged 0 to 12
$250 for children or youth aged 0 to 21 with special needs
Parents refers to parents, guardians, and caregivers.
APRIL 6TH, 2020
The board has been monitoring the COVID-19 situation closely. We have been advised that our permits have been cancelled until May 3rd 2020. We will make decisions closer to the date regarding the AGM and Picnic in accordance with Provincial and Federal orders.
I understand it’s frustrating during these times to keep our members engaged and occupied. Please reach out to any of the Board members if you would like to talk. We are all in this together and it is important to support each other.
We have a few suggestions of some websites and apps which members may find entertaining and useful during this time:
https://www.commonsense.org/education/top-picks/best-special-education-apps-and-websites
https://stories.audible.com/discovery
There are also some Zoo cams and Museum tours available:
https://nationalzoo.si.edu/webcams?fbclid=IwAR11SdS3AneCoqv5KRxJxg1k7Z2wBOD3BRGr0JCm6Ehzhn_QsxkFtAhujdg
https://www.houstonzoo.org/explore/webcams/
https://zoo.sandiegozoo.org/live-cams
https://collections.rom.on.ca/?_ga=2.129894671.2002479860.1586053296-1998024356.1569023763
I have been reminded of the challenges our members have faced throughout their lives and somehow they still manage to find joy and positivity in life. We must try to rise to their example.
We will continue to monitor the situation closely and advise when we will commence our programs and events.
M.A.I.L. will always be there for its members and we are happy to answer any questions you may have.
Please be safe and diligent and we will see you soon.
Thank you,
On behalf of the Board of Directors of M.A.I.L.
President of M.A.I.L
MARCH 13TH, 2020
Dear M.A.I.L. Members,
I’m sure you are inundated with the growing concern and constant news regarding COVID-19. Now that COVID-19 has been officially declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization and Canada has made recommendations and authorized the closure of many events, the Board members of M.A.I.L. want to update you on how we are going to move forward in these times.
The board has been monitoring the situation closely and have been trying to balance the safety and well being of our members with keeping them engaged with meaningful programming.
With the Province closing all schools until April 5, 2020 and the advice to avoid public gatherings, we are temporarily suspending all M.A.I.L. events and programs (including Bowling) until at least the second week of April. We will also be cancelling our annual Spring Dance.
We will continue to monitor the situation closely and advise when we will commence our programs and events.
M.A.I.L. will always be there for its members and we are happy to answer any questions you may have.
Please be safe and diligent and we will see you soon.
Thank you,
On behalf of the Board of Directors of M.A.I.L.
Manisha Smith
President of M.A.I.L