PADDLE Program

PADDLE Program PADDLE-Providing Adults with Developmental Disabilities Lifelong Experiences. WHAT IS PADDLE?

PADDLE is a not-for-profit organization that provides adults with special needs opportunities and choices in learning experiences and community involvement. Participants of PADDLE include individuals who have developmental disabilities, are no longer able to attend school due to their age, want to participate in a community-based program and wish to continue their education in a program that will account for their needs and interests.

04/03/2026

On World Autism Awareness Day, let's talk about how NBPS can support individuals with autism in our community.

Did you know that we have specialized training and tools like our Vulnerable Persons Registry, and our Mobile Crisis Unit helping officers respond with greater awareness and care?

Globally, 1 in 127 people is diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, a number that is reflected in our community as well. Our commitment to community-based policing means supporting everyone in our community, including those who are neurodiverse.

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💙 Mobile Crisis Unit and Specialized Training:

In addition to our Mobile Crisis Unit, which includes a nurse and an officer with specialized training, all our members receive training in crisis response adaptations and de-escalation strategies when interacting with vulnerable persons, including individuals with autism. These approaches help ensure safer, more informed interactions.

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💙 Vulnerable Persons Registry:

One of the ways we support officer response is through our Vulnerable Persons Registry.

The registry provides our officers with important information about a specific individual that can make a critical difference, quickly, during a call for service. This may include known triggers, calming strategies, physical descriptors, residence details, emergency contact information, and more.

For example, if loud noises, like sirens, are identified as a trigger, officers can adjust their approach to reduce stress and avoid escalation.

This program helps us respond with greater awareness, empathy, and effectiveness, supporting safer outcomes for everyone in our community.

Learn more or register for our Vulnerable Persons Registry
https://www.northbaypolice.ca/services/vulnerable-persons-registry

04/02/2026

Today’s Cash Calendar winner is Jamie R.
Calendar #0267

03/30/2026

*and families. Because great support means decisions being made by someone else. It means choices that feel uncomfortable. It means risk that cannot be managed away with policies or plans.

Systems like predictability. But the moment a person truly has authority over their own life, predictability disappears.

That is the real work before us: not helping people to live ordinary lives, but teaching systems to tolerate ordinary freedom.
..

ID: Image shows a man sitting on his bed. Text reads: The real challenge of intellectual disability services isn't supporting people. Its professionals tolerating other people having control.

03/30/2026

WE ARE HIRING! PLEASE SHARE!

COMMUNITY CONNECTOR – CRISIS PREVENTION INTERN

The PADDLE Program – North Bay, Ontario

The PADDLE Program is seeking a Community Connector – Crisis Prevention Intern to support adults with developmental disabilities in building community participation, social connection, and personal safety skills.

This position is funded through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) People and Talent Program.
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POSITION DETAILS
Location: North Bay, Ontario
Term: 52-week internship
Hours: 35 hours per week
Compensation: $19/hr
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ABOUT THE ROLE
The Community Connector supports adults with developmental disabilities in community-based learning, crisis prevention, and social participation.

This role focuses on helping participants build relationships, access community resources, and develop skills that reduce isolation and prevent crisis situations. The position emphasizes experiential learning, communication support, and the development of meaningful community connections.
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KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
• Support adults with developmental disabilities in community activities and experiential learning opportunities
• Assist participants with developing communication, safety awareness, and decision-making skills
• Help identify early warning signs of crisis and support preventative strategies
• Facilitate positive peer relationships and community connections
• Support participants in navigating community environments safely and confidently
• Document observations and progress related to participant goals
• Work collaboratively with program staff and families
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QUALIFICATIONS
• Diploma or degree in one of the following fields:
Developmental Services Worker (DSW)
Social Service Worker (SSW)
Psychology
Human Services
or a related field
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to work in community settings
• Valid driver’s licence and access to reliable transportation preferred
• Current First Aid and CPR certification considered an asset
• Vulnerable Sector Police Check required
Bilingualism (English/French) is strongly preferred.
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NOHFC INTERNSHIP ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
As this position is funded through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) People and Talent Program, applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:
• Be 18 years of age or older
• Be legally entitled to work in Canada
• Reside in Northern Ontario
• Be a new entrant to the workforce, transitioning to a new career, or unemployed/underemployed and entering a new field
• Not have previously participated in an NOHFC-funded internship
________________________________________
ABOUT THE PADDLE PROGRAM
The PADDLE Program is a community-based wellness and experiential learning hub supporting adults with developmental disabilities to build meaningful relationships, autonomy, and community belonging.
Through relational support and community engagement, the program focuses on developing social capital, personal safety skills, and opportunities for meaningful participation in everyday community life.
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APPLICATION PROCESS
Please submit a resume and cover letter outlining your interest in the role and how you meet the eligibility criteria info@paddlenorthbay.ca Attention: Megan Johnson by March 21st, 2026.

While we thank all applicants for their interest, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

The PADDLE Program is committed to equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Accommodation will be provided throughout the recruitment process upon request.

03/30/2026

Do you have questions about your rights?
Not sure what your options are?
You can call ARCH’s intake line for free, confidential legal information.

ARCH provides persons with disabilities in Ontario free confidential summary legal advice and legal information in the following areas of law as they relate to disability rights:

-Human Rights (select areas)
-Accessibility
-Developmental services
-Homecare/ attendant services
-Transportation/ para-transit
-Accommodations in the workplace (non-unionized)
-Primary/secondary education
-Post-secondary education
-Guide dogs and service animals
-Supported decision making
-Public guardian or trustee
-Removing guardianship
-Revoking powers of attorney

If you have questions about your rights, call us and we’ll do our best to help.
And if we can’t assist directly, we’ll try our best to refer you to someone who can.
We’re here for you.

📞 Call us at 416-482-8255
TTY: 416-482-1254
📅 Intake hours: Tuesday to Friday, 9 AM to 1 PM and 2 PM to 5 PM

03/30/2026

Congrats to Friday’s Cash Calendar Christine R. Calendar #0308

03/29/2026

UPDATE: Under duress, Mom has taken her son home, out of fear of losing him to the system. Given an ultimatum on Friday - take her son home by Monday or the hospital would take steps to have her removed as her son's Substitute Decision Maker. The hospital claimed that if Mom did not take her son home she would not be acting in his best interests, and therefore should no longer have the authority to make decisions regarding his medical care. Home, where, because of lack of funding, there are not enough supports in place to prevent another crisis from happening.

Mom's words after researching what could possibly happen if her SDM authority were to be stripped:
"there would be no coming back from it for me. If (my son) was “taken away from me” I would have absolutely no reason left for living. It would be a fate worse than death for me. He wouldn’t understand and he would think that I’d abandoned him. 😢😩"

We will continue to update you. Thank you for your support🙏
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A mother is being told to choose: bring her son home unsafely—or lose her rights as his decision-maker.

This is happening right now in Ontario.

A young autistic man with complex and significant behavioural needs was discharged from his group home a few years ago and lost his ministry-funded supports. Since then, he has been living at home with his mother—while she works full time—with only limited funding in place.
This past week, things escalated.
A serious behavioural episode led to a 911 call.
The safety of both his mother and support worker were at risk.
First responders were also put at risk.
He has been in hospital since.
Now the hospital wants to discharge him—back home.
To a situation that is not safe.
To a home without the supports he needs.
And his mother is being told:
If she refuses to take him home, they will go to the Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee to remove her as his Substitute Decision Maker.
Her words:
"It doesn’t matter that we are not safe at home.
It doesn’t matter that we don’t have enough supports.
It doesn’t matter that he was unlawfully discharged from ministry-funded services."
She has until Monday to decide.
This is not just one family’s crisis.
This is what happens when:
People lose access to appropriate supports
Families are left to carry the full burden
Systems respond to crisis instead of preventing it
A mother is being asked to take on a situation that puts her—and her son—at risk.
Or lose her legal right to advocate for him.
📢 We need attention on this—now.
If you are in media, policy, or advocacy:
👉 Please reach out to us Families for Accountability, Inclusion and Reform
👉 Please ask questions
👉 Please help bring visibility to what families are facing
No family should be forced into this position.

03/20/2026

April Calendar is up!!

03/20/2026

Woohoo!

03/20/2026

Congrats to Geraldine M this weeks Cash Calendar winner!
Calendar #0253

03/18/2026

Updated ARCH Factsheet Alert! ✨

What is the Accessible Canada Act (ACA)?
Find out how this federal law helps identify, remove, and prevent barriers for people with disabilities — including those in Ontario. This factsheet answers:
• What is the ACA?
• Who it impacts
• What it does to remove barriers
• Where to get more info

Now available in English, French!
Full Factsheet: https://archdisabilitylaw.ca/resource/fact-sheet-what-is-the-accessible-canada-act/



[Image description: Graphic from ARCH Disability Law Centre with a green background promoting an updated factsheet titled “What is the Accessible Canada Act?” The ARCH logo appears at the top.
On the left side is a preview of the factsheet, which explains that the Accessible Canada Act (ACA) is a federal law aimed at identifying, removing, and preventing barriers for people with disabilities in Canada by 2040. It clarifies that the ACA applies to federally regulated sectors, including transportation (airplanes, trains, interprovincial buses), telecommunications, banking, and federal government services and workplaces.
The factsheet outlines how the ACA may impact people with disabilities living in Ontario by improving accessibility in federal programs and services such as employment, travel, and access to government buildings. It also explains that the ACA requires organizations to develop accessibility standards in areas such as employment, the built environment, communication, transportation, procurement of goods and services, and information and communication technologies.
The factsheet notes that federally regulated organizations must create accessibility plans, consult with persons with disabilities, establish feedback processes, and report on progress.
On the right side of the graphic, large bold text reads: “Updated factsheet available in English & French.” Below, a dark green text box asks: “What is the Accessible Canada Act?” Bullet points list key topics covered:
-Does the ACA impact persons with disabilities living in Ontario?
-The ACA is a federal law. What does this mean?
-What does the ACA do to identify, address and remove barriers?
-Where to go for even more information
At the bottom, a call-to-action reads: “Link to factsheet in caption!”]

03/16/2026

Highball outing cancelled today. Pick up 3pm at The PADDLE Program

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235 Albert Street
North Bay, ON
P1B7J6

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