The dream of Abilities Centre began in the early 2000s, with a group of community champions who saw the urgent need for increased programming and services for people with disabilities in the Durham Region and across Canada. Their vision was to create a place where people of all ages and abilities could come together and realize their full potential, and in the process, change the social fabric of our communities and country.
Inspired by the vision of the Honourable Jim Flaherty and Honourable Christine Elliott, these founding volunteers began the journey of creating one of the most accessible and inclusive community hubs ever built, and which would serve as a replicable model for other communities across Canada and around the world.
In partnership with federal and provincial levels of government, the Region of Durham and the Town of Whitby, and supported by the generosity of many people, corporations and community organizations, Abilities Centre opened its doors in June 2012.
Today, Abilities Centre serves more than 100,000 visitors each year, helping people of all abilities pursue their goals. Here, we are developing programs and services to enhance health and well-being, social inclusion and economic participation for all citizens and bringing our model to life across the country.
Abilities Centre is committed to building inclusive and accessible communities. Using our multi-award winning, fully accessible 125,000 square foot facility as an inclusion incubator, we develop evidence-based programs and services that can be scaled locally, provincially, nationally and globally.
Focusing on improving quality of life by positively impacting health & wellbeing, social inclusion and economic participation for persons of all ages and abilities, Abilities Centre delivers programs and services in the areas of education, employment, sport, recreation & leisure, research and life skills.