About Us!
RISE provides disabled individuals and their families with research, information, support, and empowerment designed to facilitate greater independence and build an inclusive and accessible society where all persons with disabilities are valued equally and participate fully.
Vision:
Mission:
Empower adults with disabilities by eliminating barriers, promoting and encouraging their citizenship, and assisting them in attaining and maintaining their own unique, independent living goals.
Mandate:
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To be an organization run by people with disabilities for people with disabilities.
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To offer opportunities for disabled persons to learn skills necessary for successful integration into the community including economic opportunity.
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To develop and implement services, programs and activities that empower individuals rather than create dependencies.
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To recognize that persons with disabilities have the right to take control of their own lives through increased knowledge and examination of options, making informed choices, and taking calculated risks.
What is RISE?
“For persons with a disability… by persons with a disability”.
RISE is a consumer-controlled, community-based resource organization. We help people with disabilities to learn Independent Living skills and integrate into the community. (Please note: RISE is a resource centre and does not do any political, systemic or group advocacy).
RISE operates on the philosophy of the Independent Living movement which was developed in response to traditional rehabilitation services models.
RISE’s aim is to develop and implement dignified social services that empower individuals rather than create dependencies. We encourage people with disabilities to take control of their own lives by exercising their right to examine options, make choices, take risks and even make mistakes.
RISE is unique in that a majority of Board and staff positions must be held by persons with a disability, thus ensuring that the service is directed and controlled by the consumer.
As RISE is a non-profit charitable organization, funding is provided by:
* (Provincial): The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care which is administered by the Centre of Independent Living in Toronto (CILT), Inc through the Toronto Central Local Health Integration Network (LHIN).
* (Federal): The Social Development Partnerships Program-Disability Component (SDPP) and Employment and Social Development Canada (EDSC) which is administered by Independent Living Canada.
* Other sources of funding include: donations, earned income, fundraising, and membership support.
RISE is an accredited member of Independent Living Canada. RISE is one of 24 members of IL Canada and one of 11 members of the Ontario Network of Independent Living Centres (ONILC).
We are a registered charity. Our charity business number is: 881236624 RR0001.