6.1 Scope of Autism Ontario’s French-language services
Autism Ontario
| Year | 2009-2010 |
|---|---|
| Issue | Deficiencies in the availability and quality of the French-language services of the Realize Community Potential Program |
| Impacts following FLSC’s intervention |
|
| Current status |
|
Autism Ontario is a charitable organization, the leading source of information about autism as well as one of the largest collective voices representing the autism community. Members are connected through a volunteer network of Chapters throughout the entire Province of Ontario. It has a presence in 120 municipalities in Ontario.
In 2006, Autism Ontario set up the Realize Community Potential Program with funding from the Ministry of Children and Youth Services. The program was launched in two phases. The first phase saw the program introduced in six cities, which encompassed smaller surrounding communities, at a cost of $1 million from the ministry. However, provision of French-language services was not a part of this initial phase. In 2007, with additional funding from the ministry, a second phase was initiated which added the program’s French-language component.
Effectiveness of the intervention
Following an investigation by the Commissioner’s Office in response to a systemic complaint, the Ministry acknowledged that the program had been developed without consulting the Francophone communities. In other words, the specific needs of Francophones with autism spectrum disorder had not been taken into account.
While acknowledging Autism Ontario’s ongoing commitment to French-languages services and the inherent challenges, the Commissioner’s Office made a number of suggestions for improvement. In particular, it recommended that Autism Ontario apply for partial designation under the French Language Services Act, however, Autism Ontario has not acted on that recommendation yet.
Additional funding allowed for the expansion of the Potential Programme across the province.
An advisory committee for Autism Ontario’s French-language services was also established.62 Ongoing partnerships with the 12 French-language school boards and a large number of community agencies across the province fosters collaboration in meeting Francophone needs and information sharing with families of children with autism. Material from key provincial webinars are adapted and made available in French. Autism Ontario’s Knowledge Base/Base de connaissances offers over 120 articles and tip sheets in both official languages. Surveys of Francophone needs were conducted in 2010 and 2015, and a third Francophone consultation exercise, concerning French-language autism training courses and social skills, is planned for 2017. In 2015-2016, the organization carried out 94 bilingual events and 110 French specific events. 440 Francophone children and youth and 1,150 parents and siblings benefited from these events.
In 2016-2017, 440 Francophone children and youth and 1,281 parents and siblings benefited from 228 bilingual events and 80 French specific events.
The Commissioner acknowledges the steady progress made by Autism Ontario in delivering French-language services and activities and remains an ally in these improvement efforts. As such, he maintains that it would be wise for Autism Ontario to obtain partial designation for the Potential Programme within a reasonable period of time. It would be beneficial for Autism Ontario to explore further strategic partnerships with local Francophone community organizations.
62. For more details, see http://www.autismontario.com/client/aso/ao.nsf/francais/4D0A49D11D77E14C8525761F0064B44D?OpenDocument&FR (in French only) (page consulted in February 2017).