Skip to main content

Understanding People with Disabilities Organizations by Type of Disability

In Canada, some organizations have the mission to work on a specific type of disability. It could be visual impairment, hearing disability, intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, communication disorder or neuromuscular disorders.

These organizations foster access to specific supports and resources for their type of disability, including information, training, networking opportunities, and rights advocacy. And they advocate for inclusive policies to guarantee full participation in economic, social, and cultural life.

As a newcomer with a disability, you can benefit from these specialized organizations' help to understand your rights in Canada, access tailored support and participate in your new community. 

What Are Some of these Organizations and How to Contact Them?

Here's a list of several national-level organizations you can contact.

Visual Impairment

The CNIB Foundation strives to change what it is to be blind today. 

It provides innovative programs and leads powerful advocacy initiatives to help people impacted by blindness realize their dreams, while dismantling barriers and fostering inclusion.

Hearing Disability

The Canadian Association of the Deaf advocates for the rights of d/Deaf people in Canada. It promotes equality and inclusion of d/Deaf people, improving their quality of life through access, education, and services.

The Canadian Hard of Hearing Association represents people with hearing loss across Canada. It advocates for their rights and provides educational and awareness raising programs. It strives to dismantle barriers to communication and fosters access for persons with hearing loss.

Silent Voice Canada provides services in American Sign Language (ASL) to d/Deaf persons and their families, striving to improve communication and relations between the d/Deaf and hearing members of society. 

Intellectual Disability

Inclusion Canada advocates for the rights of people with intellectual disabilities, promoting their inclusion in all aspects of community life. It works to dismantle barriers and ensure that persons with an intellectual disability can lead a fully inclusive life.

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism Canada supports Canadians on the autism spectrum offering them resources, awareness raising activities and social inclusion initiatives. The organization aims to improve the quality of life of persons on the autism spectrum and their families.

Cerebral Palsy

The Cerebral Palsy Canada Network provides resources and advocates for the rights of people with cerebral palsy in Canada, working to improve their quality of life and promoting their social inclusion.

Multiple Sclerosis

MS Canada supports people living with multiple sclerosis by funding research and providing support and information services. 

It aims to improve the quality of life of people affected by this illness and to bring about positive change.

Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal Cord Injury Canada (SCI Canada) provides support services and rights advocacy for people living with a spinal cord injury, fostering their autonomy and active participation in society.

Communication Disorder

Speech-Language and Audiology Canada advocates for the rights of people with communication disorders and promotes the professions of speech-language pathologists and audiologists.

Neuromuscular Disorders

Muscular Dystrophy Canada supports persons affected by neuromuscular disorders through services, research and awareness raising. Its mission is to improve such people's quality of life and find effective treatment.

Sickle Cell Disease

Sickle Cell Disease Association of Canada (SCDAC) serves as a national voice for sickle cell patients. It raises awareness of the disease by improving the identification, diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Its goal is improving the quality of life for those affected by it and their families. It encourages the coordinated development of clinical services and research initiatives related to the treatment of the disease and efforts to find a cure.

It has associations in Quebec, British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario. 

For more information: 

Red Blood Cell Disorders (RBCD) It is a clinic at the University Health Network (UHN) dedicated to managing sickle cell disease, thalassemia and other red blood cell disorders. 

For more information: 

The Red Blood Cell Disorders (RBCD) Clinic has a hub called Red Blood Cells Disorders which is a space to connect about Sickle Cell Disease, Thalassemia, and other Hemoglobinopathies in Ontario.

For more information:

Last updated: October 28, 2025

If you are denied service or experience discrimination, you can contact one of the Disability Rights Advocacy Organizations or Legal Clinics listed under “Additional Services”. Alternatively, report the situation through our report form and our team will follow up with you. 

Fill the report form