1. What is Ontario March of Dimes and what do you do?
2. Which disabilities do you provide services for?
3. Do you fund disability research?
4. How does physical disabilities affect Canadians and Ontario residents?
5. I want to support your charitable work. Where will my donation be spent?
6. What fundraising options do you offer?
7. What kind of volunteer opportunities are there?
8. I’m interested in working for Ontario March of Dimes. How can I apply?
9. Is Ontario March of Dimes affiliated with the March of Dimes in the U.S.?
10. Is the Ontario March of Dimes annual report available online?
1. What is Ontario March of Dimes and what do you do?
Ontario March of Dimes is the largest service provider for people with physical disabilities in the province. We provide a wide range of programs and services to maximize the independence and community participation of people with physical disabilities. We offer:
- rehabilitative programs
- recreation services
- accessibility and mobility services
- attendant care
- employment services
- and much more
We also offer services to seniors and the medically fragile, as well as services to families, caregivers, employers and health insurance companies. Visit the About Us section for complete details.
2. Which disabilities do you provide services for?
We help people with many different physical disabilities:
- people who are born with physical disabilities (such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida, or muscular dystrophy).
- those who develop it later in life (such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, or post-polio syndrome).
- and those who acquire it through injury or an accident.
We also offer services to seniors and the medically fragile, as well as services to families, caregivers, employers and health insurance companies. Visit the About Us section for complete details.
3. Do you fund disability research?
Yes, Ontario March of Dimes supports disability research. Recipients of our annual Jonas Salk Award (co-sponsored by Aventis-Pasteur) receive $10,000 each for their work. Recipients are Canadian scientists or researchers who have made significant contributions in the fields of disability research and treatments. We also give out two Fellowships (total value of $45,000) in partnership with the Canadian Institute on Health Research.
4. How do physical disabilities affect Canadians and Ontario residents?
- Based on the Participation and Activity Limitation Survey (PALS) conducted in 2001 by Statistics Canada, 12.4% have disabilities or roughly 1 in 8 Canadians. In Ontario, the disability rate is 13.5%.
- The Participation and Activity Limitation Survey confirms that the disability rate in Canada increases with age. In fact, more than half (53.3%) of people 75 years and over report having a disability.
- In December 2001, the Ontarians with Disabilities Act passed into law in Ontario. The purpose of this Act is to improve opportunities for persons with disabilities and to provide for their involvement in the identification, removal and prevention of barriers to their full participation in the life of the province.
5. I want to support your charitable work. Where will my donation be spent?
Your donation will help us provide essential programs and services for people with physical disabilities such as the Assistive Devices Program, Conductive Education® and Recreation and Integration Services. See Your Money at Work for complete details.
6. What fundraising options do you offer?
There are many ways you can make a gift to Ontario March of Dimes. You can donate to our canvassers during our January Door-to-Door Campaign, make online donations, or give through our planned giving and endowment funds. See Ways to Give for complete details.
7.What kind of volunteer opportunities are there at Ontario March of Dimes?
We provide a variety of opportunities for volunteers, according to their capabilities and interests. These include short-term assignments, seasonal or project-related positions, one-time only, or those that require a regular commitment. You can help with fundraising activities, befriend a person with a physical disability, serve on a committee, design a disability-friendly device, assist in office duties, and many more.
8. I’m interested in working for Ontario March of Dimes. How can I apply?
If you're looking to embrace a career where you can improve the quality of people's lives and share our dedication to providing exemplary service, we invite you to visit our Job Opportunities page for complete details.
9. Is Ontario March of Dimes affiliated with the March of Dimes in the U.S.?
No. Although March of Dimes in the U.S. had its beginnings in a similar manner as Ontario March of Dimes – to raise money for research to fight the polio epidemic in North America in the 1950s – today, Ontario March of Dimes provides programs and services for people with physical disabilities, while March of Dimes in the U.S. funds research and programs to prevent birth defects and other medical complications in infants.
10. Is your annual report available online?
Yes, the present and past annual reports are available in PDF format. If you have any questions not answered by the FAQ, please e-mail us at info@marchofdimes.ca or call us at 1-800-263-DIME.