Safe Engaged Environments Disability (SEED)

Safe Engaged Environments Disability (SEED): A Community Based Action Research Project for People with Disabilities regarding Community Safety in Toronto

How SEED got started

The Centre for Independent Living in Toronto (CILT) and the City of Toronto recognized the need to increase the level of awareness of community safety for people with disabilities in the Toronto area. Partnerships were then developed with community organizations and funding was sought to support the project.

Funding and support

The Safe Engaged Environments Disability (SEED) project is funded by the City of Toronto Community Safety Investment Program from 2008 until June 2011 and Toronto Community Housing from 2009 until 2011.

Who are some of SEED’s community partners in this project?

What is the Safe Engaged Environments Disability (SEED) Project?

The SEED Project is a 3 year community based action research project. This means that the SEED project has been developed and is being carried out by persons with disabilities for persons with disabilities.

 Entering the 2nd year of a 3 year project, SEED brings people with physical, mental health, intellectual, visible and invisible disabilities and their supporters together to identify common concerns and successes related to community safety in Toronto. 

In addition, the SEED project, on May 29 2009, received approval for 2 year funding from Toronto Community Housing to focus on Toronto Community Housing residents with disabilities and their supporters to identify community safety concerns and successes.

Focus group discussions will occur over the next few months with both people with disabilities living anywhere in Toronto and tenants with disabilities living specifically in Toronto Community Housing who wish to contribute to developing ideas and actions in respect to safety.

 The SEED project will result in a plan for everyone on ideas and actions to improve or enhance safety.

 How do I get involved?

 There are many ways. Tell us your thoughts. Participate in focus or action groups, or simply become part of our information network. Register your interest with CILT. If you would like more information, please contact:

John Mossa, Independent Living Skills Trainer

Centre For Independent Living in Toronto

365 Bloor Street East, Suite 902, Tor, Ont, M4W 3L4

Tel: (416) 599-2458, ext. 238 ,TTY: (416) 599-5077

E-mail: ilskills@cilt.ca   Website: www.cilt.ca   

                                    Or 

Linda Coltman, SEED project coordinator

SEED E-mail: seedproject@bell.net