Referrals

0 – School Entry

If your child is diagnosed with blindness or low vision and is between the ages of 0 to 6 years, these are the following agencies that can assist you:

Services for this age group are provided by the Early Intervention Services from the Canadian National Institute for the Blind through a contractual agreement between Wordplay and CNIB.

For more information on the Ministry of Children and Youth Services Blind Low Vision Early Intervention Program and information on child vision development please call 1-866-821-7770 or visit their website at:  www.children.gov.on.ca/htdocs/English/topics/earlychildhood/blindnesslowvision/index.aspx

Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB)

This program provides services to all individuals from birth to adulthood diagnosed with blindness or partial sight. Contact CNIB toll free 1-888-675-2468 or visit their website at www.cnib.ca for further information on their program and services.

If child’s developmental milestones are delayed, a referral can be made to the following services:

The Northeast Blind Low Vision Early Intervention Program and CNIB also work in partnership with the following Provincial Schools Branch to provide services to children from preschool to transition into school:

  • W. Ross Macdonald School for children who are English by calling Toll Free: 866-906-1192 or visit their website at www.psbnet.ca
  • Centre Jules-Léger for children who are Francophone by calling (613) 761-9300 or visit their website at www.centrejulesleger.com

*Entry to school is very important, some of the agencies listed above, can assist the family with assessment planning for the purpose of/and to assist with transitioning to school at the time of your child’s registration. As well, Wordplay and CNIB also work in partnership with all other agencies providing services to children and will assist in initiating referrals to other community agencies as needed.

* It is encouraged that you consult with the school board in September of the year prior to the child commencing school, regarding child’s vision loss and access services through Centre Jules Leger or W. Ross Macdonald prior to and once child begins school for ongoing support services through school. CNIB will also contract with the school to provide needed assessments and supports for students.

North East Community Care Access Centre (CCAC)

At age 5 years, a referral to CCAC School Health Support Program should be made should your child have fine and/or gross motor based difficulties, visual,and/or perceptual difficulties to access services through the Cochrane Temiskaming Children’s Treatment Centre for assessment, consult, equipment and therapy if needed.

Additional to the services listed above, below is a list of other agencies that your child may access at this age depending on their needs. Keeping in mind that waiting lists exist, the referral should be made as soon as possible. The committee encourages you to access services to maximize your child’s full potential including opportunities to support your family and your child further.

These include such services as:

Junior Kindergarten – High School

During this time, your child may require updated assessments. Below is a list of agencies that your child may access during this age group depending on their needs. If you are not already involved with an agency, please keep in mind that waiting lists exist and a referral should be made as soon as possible.

*Transition between schools may occur at this age. Some of the agencies listed above, can assist the family with a transition to a new school. Please access education for more information.

Transition to High School

It is recommended that a referral to CNIB for services and reassessment for high school transition occurs to assist with maximizing your child’s full potential in some of the following areas:

  • Orientation and Mobility assessment
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Functional Vision Assessment
  • Rehabilitation Teaching
  • Technological Assessment
  • Career Counseling

High School – Adulthood

Here are services and supports that your child may require to support your youth or young adult with special needs while he/she transitions into and is in high school. If you are not already involved with an agency, please keep in mind that waiting lists exist and a referral should be made as soon as possible. These agencies include:

Reflecting the waiting lists of services and programs, a referral for services and reassessment should occur to ensure that between the ages 16 to 18 years of age such assessments will be available to transition effectively the youth from high school to post secondary education / employment/ adult support programs for active living.

Assessment referral if needed are:

  • Occupational Therapy
  • Educational
  • Equipment/Assistive Device
  • Vocational assessment
  • Orientation and Mobility
  • Functional Vision Assessment
  • Rehabilitation Teaching
  • Technological Assessment
  • Orientation and Mobility assessment
  • Career Counseling

For transitional purposes, pediatric to adult services, your youth/young adult may require updated assessments or can be referred to the following adult services. Below is a list of agencies that your youth/young adult may access at this age depending on their needs. If you are not already involved with an agency, please keep in mind that waiting lists exist and a referral should be made as soon as possible.

* Some of the agencies listed below, can assist the family with a transition to a new school or a post-secondary institution. Please access education for more information. At this time, your youth/young adult may have completed their education, please refer to employment for more information.

Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB)

Additional services that may assist young adult with maximizing his/her full potential include:

Once attendant care needs are identified, client has options on how to access personal care support: please keep in mind that waiting lists exist and a referral should be made as soon as possible.

1. North East Community Care Access Centre personal care support program

2. Direct Funding program

At this time, your youth/young adult may require updated assessments. Below is a list of agencies that your youth/young adult may access at this age depending on their needs. If you are not already involved with an agency, please keep in mind that waiting lists exist and a referral should be made as soon as possible.

Please refer to assessment section for the types of assessments available.

Youth/Young adult services:

Adult services:

Updated assessments may be required to support future adult programs. Please consider wait lists when requesting an updated assessment.

Referrals will be needed to support the transition to adult services and supports.

To note: Transitions will need to take place from pediatric to adult medical specialists at 18 years of age.

*Transition between schools may occur at this age. Some of the agencies listed above, can assist the family with a transition to a new school or a post-secondary institution. Please access education for more information. At this time, your youth/young adult may have completed their education, please refer to employment for more information.