Champion Equity. Empower Ability.
Throughout our 70-year history, March of Dimes Canada has proven our commitment to serving the needs of our community time and again.
But key challenges, barriers, and inequalities persist – and we have an important role to play in creating a better future for people with all forms of disability, in every part of Canada.
Last year, we conducted the largest consultation in our history, speaking to nearly 1,000 people from our community. They told us they want change
– real change that will help them achieve their goals and do the things in their lives that matter most to them. Change that will transform how people with disabilities are understood and included in society, and that will expand equity and opportunity for everyone.
Catalyzing that change is what
Champion
Equity. Empower
Ability.– March of Dimes Canada’s new strategy
– is all about.
We thank everyone whose voices shaped this exciting plan and vision for the future, most importantly the people with disabilities and their families who so generously shared their thoughts, opinions and experiences with us. By continuing to work together, we will create the inclusive, barrier-free world we want and need.
Purpose
Champion equity. Empower ability.
Vision
An inclusive, barrier-free society for people with disabilities.
Mission
To be Canada’s leading service provider, resource and advocate, empowering people with disabilities to live and thrive in communities nationwide.
Strategic Focus Areas
The best start for children, youth and families
The start of life is a significant, formative time for children. It’s when their vision of themselves, their world, and their ability is forged; when they see the possibilities and set the expectations for what they can become.
We believe childhood with a disability can and should be beautiful, but we know it’s not always easy. As children grow and develop, the practical, emotional, and financial challenges are profound. Their journey can be a turbulent one that affects the whole family. We’re here to change that.
March of Dimes Canada is committed to supporting people and families living with disabilities at every stage of life, including the early years. As we head into our next chapter, we’re committed to doing more to understand the needs of this group, amplifying their voices, and creating responsive programs and resources to give them a good beginning.
Our goal: To ensure that children and youth with disabilities can achieve their full potential, thriving at every stage of their development.
Independence at home and in the community
The experience of living with a disability is different for everyone. But many people share the desire for practical, everyday independence, with choice and control over how they live their lives. They ask for better access to services, adequately funded service levels, appropriate and affordable housing, and home and vehicle modifications.
March of Dimes Canada is widely recognized as a leader in disability service design and delivery. Building on our strengths, we will expand key programs and services in communities across the country so people with disabilities can access the tools and support they need to be independent, regardless of where they live.
Our goal: To ensure people with disabilities can live safely and independently where and how they live, participating fully in their communities on their own terms.
Active, healthy, connected lives
Life with disability can be profoundly isolating. Whether from social stigma, discrimination, or the challenges of navigating a fragmented system, people with disabilities feel disconnected from society, the supports they need, and each other. Inclusion and a sense of true belonging are too often out of reach, which can have detrimental impacts on their physical and mental wellness.
March of Dimes Canada believes that no person with a disability should struggle alone; that life with disability can be as rich and engaging as anyone dares to dream. As we listen and learn from our community, we will use our influence in service of better, more inclusive experiences for people with disabilities. We will help our clients and their families access the resources they need to live healthy and meaningful lives, while providing enriching opportunities for learning, growth, and connection.
Our goal: To ensure that people with disabilities can have the best possible physical and mental health, and enjoy strong, supportive relationships and a sense of community belonging.
Financial security
People with disabilities represent one of Canada’s most economically disadvantaged groups. They experience strikingly low employment rates in comparison to the general population and lower personal incomes, which decline as the severity of disability increases.
The cause is systemic discrimination, characterized by a fundamental lack of opportunity and understanding in the workforce, and inadequate, fragmented benefit systems that fail to cover the high costs of living with disability. For some, it’s a matter of life or death.
At March of Dimes Canada, we understand the gravity of situations faced by many people with disabilities, and we take our role in solving them seriously. We will work with people with disabilities to support their employment ambitions, and advocate forcefully for a livable income that eliminates disability poverty.
Our goal: To ensure that people have the financial means to avoid or escape poverty, and live well with a disability.
Read March of Dimes Canada's 2021-2024 Strategic Plan
We invite you to download the full version of “Champion Equity. Empower Ability.”
– March of Dimes Canada’s 2021-24 Strategic Plan, for more details on our vision and plans to achieve it.
Become part of something big and bold
As March of Dimes Canada works towards our bold new strategy, we will forge strong, vibrant connections with local communities and partners, and evolve our services to empower more people in more places than ever before. We’re on a mission to create an inclusive, barrier-free society for all Canadians with disabilities—and we need your help.
Give generously today, or
contact us to learn about other inspiring ways to get involved.
