Links

Decision Making and Choice

Supported Decision Making	People with intellectual disabilities are often unjustly seen as not having the capacity to make their own decisions. Their rights to make decisions are often taken away through guardianship. However, with Supported Decision Making, an individual making a decision with the help of a supportive group gives them control over their own lives.
Looking Differently at Disability and Decision Making	Michael Bach of the Institute for Research and Development on Inclusion and Society discusses how “supported decision making” can allow those with disabilities to take back control with the help of their families and communities.
Engaging People who Receive Services	The purpose of this Guide is to assist State, Tribal, and Territory human service systems to fully and effectively including people who receive services in system planning and improvement efforts.
Supporting Choice & Control	In this Abilities Manitoba eLearning, Wendy Humphrey dives into the area of supporting people to have choice and control of their life.
The Vowels of Choice	In this Abilities Manitoba animated short, we explore what it takes to really make a truly informed choice! Come along with us and explore how using vowels helps us remember all the important elements of good decision-making.
What the Heck is Consent?	In this Abilities Manitoba eLearning, Marda has something to say about consent! She wants people to know that “yes means yes” and “no means no”. This video is captioned. Full transcript pending.

Education

Teacher Resources	Selection of user-friendly teaching tools.
Inclusive Education Canada	Promotes the Canadian vision for inclusive education. It is a meeting place for parents, family members, teachers, education officials and community members who are committed to making inclusive education a reality in our communities.
LuMind IDSC Foundation	LuMind IDSC serves as a bridge between the Down syndrome community and the research community.
The Down Syndrome Educational Trust	DSET is a recognized leader in scientific research into the development and education of individuals with Down syndrome.
PREP Program	PREP provides individuals with Down syndrome, their families and community members with the information, resources and skills they need to create the best possible opportunities for inclusion.

Financial Planning

Benefits Finder	A customized list of benefits for which you may be eligible. The Benefits Finder may suggest benefits from federal, provincial or territorial governments, and does not collect or track your information. The more questions you answer, the more customized your results will be.
Canada Student Grant for Students with Disabilities	This grant is available to students with disabilities for each year of study. You can apply at the same time as you apply for student aid with your province or territory.
Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment – Students with Disabilities	If you need education-related services or equipment, apply for the Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment – Students with Disabilities. You can apply at the same time as you apply for student aid with your province or territory.
Child Disability Benefit Information	The child disability benefit (CDB) is a tax-free monthly payment made to families who care for a child under age 18 with a severe and prolonged impairment in physical or mental functions.
Estate Planning	A video tutorial sharing insights on preparing wills, establishing Henson Trusts, creating Powers of Attorney, developing tax planning strategies and the overall impact on social benefits.
Financial Empowerment	Equipping individuals to confidently manage their finances with money-saving courses and personalized assistance in accessing benefits and tax savings.
Registered Disability Saving Plan (RDSP)	The Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) is a long-term savings plan to help people with disabilities who are approved for the Disability Tax Credit save for the future. When you open a plan, you may also get grants and bonds from the Government of Canada to help with your long-term savings.
RDSP Plan Institute	The Access RDSP program provides free support to help people access the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP). The program’s goal is to reduce barriers, spread awareness, and support people with disabilities across the country to save for their future.
WINNpass	The WINNpass program provides individuals with low income the opportunity to receive a 50 percent discount off the full-fare rate for monthly transit passes and e-cash rides.

General Interest

National Down Syndrome Congress	A national US site with good information and links.
Canadian Down Syndrome Society	Provides Down Syndrome advocacy, resource and information in Canada.
National Down Syndrome Society	Extensive information on this US Site.
Down Syndrome Resource Foundation	Comprehensive Canadian Resource site.
Inclusion Canada	Inclusion Canada is a national federation of 13 provincial/territorial member organizations and over 300 local associations working to advance the full inclusion and human rights of people with an intellectual disability and their families.
Inclusion Westman	Inclusion Westman (formerly Community Living Brandon) is a voluntary not-for-profit organization committed to enriching the lives of people who live with an intellectual disability in the Westman region by promoting their full inclusion in the community.
Inclusion Winnipeg	Bringing people together to achieve the inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities in all aspects of community.
National Mosaic Down Syndrome Association	Site dedicated to issues related to mosaic Down syndrome.
Regroupment Pour La Trisome 21	A Canadian organization that offers information, resources and a newsletter in French.
Continuity Care	Continuity Care is a not-for- profit organization dedicated to supporting families in Manitoba to plan for an enriched quality of life for their family member with an intellectual disability. We help families achieve peace of mind by planning for the future and creating connections that last a lifetime.
Manitoba Possible	Manitoba Possible (formerly Society for Manitobans with Disabilities) is a non-profit providing services to Manitobans with disabilities and their families and communities.

Health

Breastfeeding & Down Syndrome: a Comprehensive Guide for Mothers and Medical Professionals	By Founder and Executive director of “julia’s way” – Ella Gray Cullen^NEW
Advocate Medical Group at Adult Down Syndrome Centre	Comprehensive medical resource providing multidisciplinary care for adults with Down syndrome with an emphasis on health promotion
Down Syndrome Height & Weight Growth Charts	Boys and girls, ages birth to 18 years, Imperial and metric.
Down Syndrome: Health Issues	Dr. Len Leshin is a paediatrician and a parent. Extensive site – often a first stop when looking for information.about Down syndrome.
Specialized Services for Children & Youth (SSCY)	SSCY is an initiative focused on the integration and, where possible, co-location, of services for Manitoba children and youth with disabilities and special needs.

Rights

Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)	The CRPD is an agreement by countries around the world to make sure that people with disabilities and people without disabilities are treated equally. It defines the actions governments must take to help all people with disabilities to realize their rights.
Family Guide to the Vulnerable Persons Act	This guide provides families with an overview of the Vulnerable Persons Act. If you read through it, and answer the questions, you will end up with a basic understanding of the Act and how it might impact your family. This guide goes through the Guiding Principles and the three main parts of the Act — Support Services, Protection from Abuse, and Substitute Decision Making.
Personal Guide to the Vulnerable Persons Act	In this book, you will learn about how you can make choices and how your family, friends and people who work with you can support you.
Dignity of Risk and Duty of Care Explained	In this Abilities Manitoba eLearning, Branden DeFoort explores the concept of dignity of risk and duty of care and links the idea to the promotion of rights for the people we support.
Getting Rights, Right!	In this Abilities Manitoba eLearning, Branden DeFoort underscores the importance of promoting and protecting people’s rights. To ensure we are all starting from the same place, Branden dives into foundational knowledge and beliefs when supporting people in the area of rights.
Rights Restriction 101	In this Abilities Manitoba eLearning, Branden DeFoort unpacks the meaning of a rights restriction and highlights common limitations that people experience when exercising their rights. As service providers, we typically have the best intentions to support people to exercise their rights and to live self-directed lives. However, the impact of our support does not always align with our intent. At times, people we support experience rights restrictions. Some rights restrictions are imposed by systemic barriers and others as a result of the ways in which we support people, in particular when it comes to keeping people safe.
Rights Audit	Take a minute to walk through this Rights Audit either on your own or along with someone you support! Dive into the practical ways in which we express our rights on a daily basis. Do you have a key to your home? Does the person you support? Is there a difference? How come? Explore the differences and similarities between your experiences and those that you support as highlighted by the rights audit in your next staff meeting or team discussion. What practical ways can you close the gap?
Rights Poster	Everyone has human rights. You can find out what our human rights are by downloading Down Syndrome International’s human rights poster.

Safety

Project Lifesaver International and Project Lifesaver Manitoba

A non-profit organizations that bridge the technological gap for “at risk” populations and public safety agencies.

Sport & Fitness

Motionball	Empowers young Canadians to be leaders in their communities, raising funds and awareness for Special Olympics through integrated social and sporting events.
Swimmingly	Specialized swim program available in Brandon, Carman, Dauphin, Portage, Selkirk, and Winnipeg.
Special Olympics Manitoba	Enriching the lives of individuals with an intellectual disability through sport.
Canadian Down Syndrome Swimming Association	Supports the participation of Canadians with Down syndrome in international swimming competitions.
Recreation Fee Assistance Program	The City of Winnipeg’s Recreation Fee Assistance Program helps reduce financial barriers to participation, ensuring equitable access to recreation programs and services.