Independent Living Waterloo Region

01/09/2026

Today we’re revisiting this powerful video featuring Phillip, who shares what independent living means to him. His words remind us that independence is about choice, dignity, and having the right supports to live life on your own terms.

This story continues to resonate — because the values behind independent living don’t change. Everyone deserves the freedom to make their own decisions and participate fully in community life.

Our YouTube channel features a wide range of videos and resources grounded in lived experience, practical information, and community connection — all designed to support independence and informed choice. Check it out!

🎥 Watch (or rewatch) Phillip’s story:

We spoke with some of our Consumers to find out what Independent Living means to them. This is Phillip's story…

01/06/2026

You are invited to take part in the Creativity Series, a hands-on, virtual workshop series designed to spark creativity, build confidence, and support self-expression. This four part series begins this Thursday from 10:30 am to 11:30 am and will continue every other week for the next two months.

Through media literacy (Jan 8th), photography (Jan 22), visual arts (Feb 5), and spoken word (Feb 19), participants will explore new ways to share ideas and stories in a supportive, welcoming space. No prior experience is needed, just curiosity and a willingness to try something new.

Join one workshop or several, engage at your own pace, and leave with practical skills and creative inspiration you can use every day.

Bonus: For every workshop you attend, your name will be entered into a random draw to win tickets to a Kitchener Rangers game in March!

To register: http://bit.ly/4q4hOdb

12/23/2025

From all of us at Independent Living Waterloo Region
H a p p y H o l i d a y s!

As the year comes to an end, we want to send heartfelt wishes to our community partners, staff, Consumers, and supporters. Thank you for the trust, care, and connection you bring to our work every day.

May this season offer moments of rest, warmth, and time with people who matter to you.

With gratitude,
The ILWR Team

12/18/2025

We have a winner! 🎉

A big congratulations to Donna, our Holiday 50/50 Draw winner, and a heartfelt thank you to everyone who purchased tickets, shared the draw, and supported the Community Resource Program at Independent Living Waterloo Region.

Your support helps people with disabilities live independently and stay connected in our community.

If you missed the draw or would still like to support the Community Resource Program, you can make a direct donation anytime through our website:
👉 https://ilwr.ca/donate

Thank you for helping make independence possible.

12/16/2025

Someone’s going to win.
And this is how community shows up.

It’s the final days to get tickets for ILWR’s Holiday 50/50 Draw. Half the jackpot goes to one lucky winner, and the other half supports Community Resource Programs for folks with physical disabilities in our community.

🎯 Jackpot: $1,800+ and growing
⏰ Winning ticket drawn: December 18 at 4:00 p.m.

👉 Buy tickets online via Rafflebox:
https://www.rafflebox.ca/raffle/ilwrcrp5050

The Community Resource Program supports people with disabilities to live independently and build stronger social connections through one-on-one support, peer-based recreation, social activities, and the Youth in Motion program.

12/12/2025

🎉 Our snowman friend is dressed in ILWR colours and has some holiday cheer to share! ⛄

Take a chance in our Annual Holiday 50/50 Draw. You could win half the pot and the other half helps support folks with physical disabilities in our community.

A little limerick fun and a big way to make a difference!

🎟️ https://www.rafflebox.ca/raffle/ilwrcrp5050

12/10/2025

Meet Allan, one of our incredible team members and hear, in their own words, what it’s like to be part of Independent Living Waterloo Region.

Every day, our staff support people with disabilities in ways that honour dignity, choice, and independence. This video offers a behind-the-scenes look at the heart, skill, and care that go into this work.

If you haven’t visited our YouTube channel () yet, it’s filled with resources, how-to videos, conversations, and perspectives from our community.

📹 Watch the full video here: https://youtu.be/9zmq_P7jd_Q

We asked staff members at Independent Living Waterloo Region about their experience and why they choose this line of work. This is Allan's story.

12/08/2025

Waterloo Region is gearing up to host the 2026 Accessibility Tradeshow and Conference during National AccessAbility Week. With more than 70 vendors, interactive workshops, adaptive technology, a sensory room, and community partners dedicated to inclusion, this event will highlight progress toward a barrier-free region.

Join us June 1–2, 2026, at the Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum. Event details and pre-registration will be available soon at https://lnkd.in/gtFZD9KD. Follow us for updates.

12/03/2025

Since 1992, communities around the world have recognized International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) on December 3. This United Nations observance raises awareness of disability issues and champions the rights, dignity, and well-being of people with disabilities. The theme for 2025 is ‘fostering disability inclusive societies for advancing social progress’. IDPD highlights the importance of disability inclusion and reminds us that when our communities are accessible, everyone benefits.

The day is marked globally with events, campaigns, and actions to remove both physical and invisible barriers. ILWR is marking this meaningful day by co-hosting a movie screening of 'Crip Camp' with KW AccessAbility (Kitchener, ON) on Tuesday, December 3. Crip Camp is an award-winning documentary film that shows us the beginnings of a disability rights movement that began with teenagers with disabilities and their desire to be treated with equality in the 1970s.

12/02/2025

Today on Giving Tuesday, we’re celebrating people with disabilities, like Chris, community members who remind us what living life your way truly looks like.

Chris is an adventurer at heart, with a passport full of stamps and a love for saying “yes” to new experiences. When he’s not travelling, he’s bringing joy and connection to ILWR events (and if he ever gets his wish, our next social night will be roller-skating karaoke ... with Rhinestone Cowboy on repeat 🤠✨).

At ILWR, we believe everyone deserves the support, choice, and community they need to live life on their own terms. Your contribution helps keep programs, resources, and inclusive spaces available for people across Waterloo Region, including folks like Chris who turn possibility into reality every single day.

Live life. Your way. And help others do the same.
Your Giving Tuesday donation makes a real difference.
❤️ Learn more or donate at ilwr.ca/donate