Empowered Kids Ontario
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empoweredkidson.bsky.social
Empowered Kids Ontario
@empoweredkidson.bsky.social
65 followers 79 following 96 posts
We represent Ontario’s publicly funded developmental health sector – the organizations that provide leading clinical treatment and support so kids with disabilities and developmental differences and their families can live their best lives.
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empoweredkidson.bsky.social
#FunFactFriday
https://bit.ly/4jQtnlV

We love a good news story, especially one that highlights innovation for kids and families in community!

@MackenzieHealth @SurreyPlaceON
#KidsHealth #EmpowerKids #DevelopmentalHealth #BehaviouralHealth
Graphic featuring a header 'MOBILE UPGRADE'. Below, a subheading reads: 'An innovative program reaches Ontario children who were falling through the gaps by Patchen Barss'. The text invites readers to follow the link in the post to read the story.
January 16, 2026 at 9:14 PM
empoweredkidson.bsky.social
Is that health information you're sharing trustworthy?
https://www.cma.ca/healthcare-for-real/how-do-i-decide-if-i-can-trust-health-information-im-seeing

@CMA_Docs @ScienceUpFirst @HealthyDebate @CMAJ @Our_KidsHealth
How do I decide if I can trust the health information I’m seeing?
Before you go ahead and share, like or pay attention to a piece of health info, there are a few ways to figure out if a source is reliable.
www.cma.ca
January 14, 2026 at 5:47 PM
empoweredkidson.bsky.social
We're still accepting applications for the 2026 EKO Scholarship Program!
https://www.empoweredkidsontario.ca/scholarshipawards

EKO members, spread the word to students in your centres and communities—share this post and help us give some scholarships!!

#EKOScholars #Scholarship #InclusiveEducation
Promotional image for the 2026 EKO Scholarship Program featuring a group of excited students with books and another group of students using wheelchairs and playing basketball. There is a QR code with the text prompt, "Have you registered to apply yet?"
January 12, 2026 at 9:13 PM
empoweredkidson.bsky.social
You're right, it's all of the above!

Learn more about the sector and the amazing teams that are working for kids and families in Ontario: https://www.empoweredkidsontario.ca/about

#EmpowerKids #DevelopmentalHealth #KidsHealth
Image featuring text for #FunFactFriday listing three points about developmental health focusing on lifelong well-being and specialized family-centered care for kids with disabilities.
January 9, 2026 at 9:08 PM
empoweredkidson.bsky.social
ICYMI ...

Empowered Kids Ontario recently welcomed Thomaz Fonseca and Arjun Gulati to our Board of Directors!

Learn more: https://www.empoweredkidsontario.ca/newsroom?newsid=3305

#EmpowerKids #Leadership #KidsHEalth #DisabilityTwitter
Promotional image featuring EKO's two new board members. From left to right: Arjun Gulati and Thomaz Fonseca, both standing with EKO's logo in purple circles beside them.
January 7, 2026 at 6:07 PM
empoweredkidson.bsky.social
Looking ahead to the new year, we are continuing our momentum and moving forward for kids with disabilities and developmental needs and their families.
https://bit.ly/4qEpzqb

Find out how EKO and our members are working for kids and families with the link above!
On a purple background, the words, "2026. Moving Forward. Empowering Kids." appear in white above the EMpowered Kids Ontario logo.
January 6, 2026 at 6:11 PM
empoweredkidson.bsky.social
One of our members, the Children's Treatment Centre of Chatham-Kent, created a series of powerful videos to amplify the important voices of young people with disabilities.

🎬 Watch the series of short videos on CTC-CK's YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/3Z2AuOp
A collage of three photos from Children's Treatment Centre's Youth Action Team. Each photo has two people: an interviewer and an interviewee. Logo of "Empowered Kids Ontario".
January 5, 2026 at 6:06 PM
Reposted by Empowered Kids Ontario
fibrocanada.bsky.social
Canada’s federal government offers a range of programs, benefits & services that may support individuals living with fibromyalgia. These resources can help with income support, disability accommodations & access to healthcare & community services.

fibrocanada.ca/federal-prog...
Canada’s federal government offers a range of programs, benefits & services that may support individuals living with fibromyalgia. These resources can help with income support, disability accommodations & access to healthcare & community services. https://fibrocanada.ca/federal-programs-benefits-services
January 3, 2026 at 9:14 PM
empoweredkidson.bsky.social
#FunFactFridays
- World Braille Day is held on January 4, the birth date of Louis Braille
- He developed the system by age 15
- He wanted to give blind people independence and equal access to knowledge.

Take a moment to honour this incredible invention this Sunday!
Graphic for World Braille Day, January 4, 2026, featuring a pair of hands reading a Braille book, flanked by regular books and a pair of glasses. The logo of Empowered Kids Ontario is also displayed, along with the hashtag #FunFactFridays.
January 2, 2026 at 3:47 PM
empoweredkidson.bsky.social
Celebrating Progress.
Empowering Kids.

As we close out 2025, Empowered Kids Ontario reflects on a year of progress in supporting children with disabilities and developmental needs across Ontario. ❤️

Looking forward to an even greater 2026! 😀
Logo for Empowered Kids Ontario with text '2025 Celebrating Progress. Empowering Kids.' in white on a purple background.
December 31, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Reposted by Empowered Kids Ontario
dda604.bsky.social
🎉The big day is upon us!! 🎉

While many New Year's celebrations are noisy and chaotic affairs, those types of get-togethers don't work for everyone.

DDA offers tips to ensure everyone is included and can celebrate. See you next year!😄

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!🥂

www.develop.bc.ca/creating-a-s...
Creating a Sensory-Friendly New Year’s Eve Party - Developmental Disabilities Association
New Year’s Eve is often associated with loud music, flashing lights, crowded rooms, and sensory overload. While that works for some, it can be overwhelming or inaccessible for others.
www.develop.bc.ca
December 30, 2025 at 11:45 PM
empoweredkidson.bsky.social
Have you heard of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program? 🌻

This initiative helps create inclusive experiences for people with disabilities or conditions that aren’t always visible.

Many organizations across Ontario are joining the movement; Find a 'sunflower' close to you! www.hdsunflower.com
Image for "Hidden Disabilities Sunflower" program, featuring sunflowers and a lanyard with an ID card. Logo for Empowered Kids Ontario. Text reads "Inclusion starts with you."
December 30, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Reposted by Empowered Kids Ontario
accessibilityca.bsky.social
By 2040, we aspire to a Canada where accessibility is the norm, not the exception.

Every step we take today brings us closer to workplaces and communities that are accessible, fair, and equitable for everyone.

Learn more about the Accessible Canada Act: www.chrc-ccdp.gc.ca/individuals/...
On the left side of the image, the text in black reads on a white background: “The Accessible Canada Act mandates removing barriers across key areas.” On the right side of the image is a woman with Down syndrome wearing a neon yellow safety vest holding a clipboard.
December 29, 2025 at 3:33 PM
empoweredkidson.bsky.social
Getting an autism diagnosis in Canada shouldn’t take months or years, but for many families, that’s the reality.

The ECHO program pioneered in Ontario is working to change that. Watch the two-minute video from Global News here...
https://bit.ly/4aBc8Cx
Dr. Yasir Khan from Durham Community Health Centre featured in a Global News segment about the ECHO autism program, which aids families in obtaining faster autism diagnoses. Dr. Khan is standing in a medical office with medical equipment in the background.
December 29, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Reposted by Empowered Kids Ontario
contactbrant.bsky.social
Register here: forms.office.com/pages/respon...
December 22, 2025 at 7:46 PM
empoweredkidson.bsky.social
Warm holiday wishes to you all! May this season be filled with moments of joy, connection, and care for one another. Happy Holidays from all of us at EKO!
Happy holidays! Wishing everyone a safe, joyful, and inclusive holiday season.
December 23, 2025 at 4:30 PM
empoweredkidson.bsky.social
We’re sharing some helpful tips to keep the season festive, inclusive, and fun for everyone, while supporting the whole family along the way!

#EmpoweredKidsOntario #Festivities #InclusiveHolidays
Ways to Keep the Holidays Festive and Fun: Holiday crafts boost fine motor skills, communication, and creativity for children of all abilities. Ways to Keep the Holidays Festive and Fun: Music is a universal holiday language—many kids with speech or mobility challenges respond especially well to holiday songs and rhythm. Ways to Keep the Holidays Festive and Fun: Simple holiday activities (like baking or decorating) can support life skills such as counting, sequencing, and teamwork. Ways to Keep the Holidays Festive and Fun: Acts of kindness during the holidays benefit everyone—inclusive celebrations help children with disabilities feel seen, valued, and connected.
December 19, 2025 at 8:51 PM
empoweredkidson.bsky.social
The holidays are magical… but they can also be overwhelming, especially for caregivers. Here are some holiday survival tips from the Children's Treatment Network.

Read more on their website at https://bit.ly/45hf5Vf

#CaregiverSupport #EmpoweredKidsOntario
Graphic titled 'Holiday Survival Tips', offering smart care tips for children and others during the holiday season, featuring a festive ornament icon. Graphic titled "Holiday Survival Tips for Caregivers".. It features tips like creating own traditions, having fewer gifts and decorations, and suggests attending parades and concerts as optional. Decorated with a red holiday ornament. Graphic titled 'Holiday Survival Tips for Caregivers' featuring a holiday ornament and supportive text about understanding children's behavior. Includes logo of EKO.
December 18, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Reposted by Empowered Kids Ontario
kidsbrainhealth.bsky.social
What does readiness really look like when implementing services in the real world?

KBHN, co-hosted by CHILD-BRIGHT, invites you to Readiness in the Real World, a practical webinar exploring how readiness shows up across innovation, setting, and implementation support levels. bit.ly/KBHNIC-regis...
Webinar poster for 'Readiness in the Real World' scheduled on January 15, 2026. Features logos of CHILD-BRIGHT network and others, and an image of three people with a laptop. Presenter: Dr. Julia E. Moore. Button reads 'Register Today.'
December 17, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Reposted by Empowered Kids Ontario
accessibilityca.bsky.social
Meaningful consultation with people with disabilities is the key to making lasting change. Watch our video to learn more: https://sbee.link/nrgycpxjhe  
- YouTube
Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.
sbee.link
December 17, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Reposted by Empowered Kids Ontario
cmadocs.bsky.social
Join us February 10, 2026 in Ottawa or online for the launch our 2026 Health & Media Tracking Survey results with the Empire Club of Canada. We’ll examine the growing influence of health misinformation and the actions needed to respond.
Register here 👇
bit.ly/4oQmQsi
#HMTS2026
December 16, 2025 at 3:13 PM
empoweredkidson.bsky.social
A recent study of 200 families raising children with developmental disabilities found that day-to-day caregiving can be challenging, but one factor consistently made a positive difference: strong social support.

Read the study here: https://go.nature.com/4pCoRcG
Image for Empowered Kids Ontario, featuring a child and an adult smiling and playing with colourful blocks, with text highlighting the positive impact of social support on families raising children with developmental disabilities.
December 15, 2025 at 6:07 PM
empoweredkidson.bsky.social
#FunFactFriday
Did you know there are eight scholarships worth $3,000 each up for grabs through the EKO Scholarship Program?

If you are ready to turn your passions into reality, learn more at https://bit.ly/3XuTzrW
Graphic for #FunFactFridays featuring four smiling students around a book, advertising the EKO Scholarship Program. Includes details on eligibility, application guidelines, and a link to apply by April 30, 2026, at www.empoweredkidsofontario.ca/scholarshipawards.
December 12, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Reposted by Empowered Kids Ontario
kidsbrainhealth.bsky.social
KBHN is proud to support our partner, CHILD-BRIGHT and their upcoming conference taking place from February 2-3, 2026, in Toronto.

Learn more and register today:

www.child-bright.ca/event-listin...

#CHILDBRIGHT2026 #KidsBrainHealth #PatientOrientedResearch #BrainBasedDisabilities
2026 CHILD-BRIGHT Conference — CHILD-BRIGHT Network
Join us in Toronto on Feb. 2 and 3, 2026 for a unique opportunity to connect with the child disability research community in Canada. The 2026 CHILD-BRIGHT conference will offer a unique opportunity…
www.child-bright.ca
December 11, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Reposted by Empowered Kids Ontario
fibrocanada.bsky.social
Upcoming Hangouts:

• Dec 23 - FAC Christmas Party
• Dec 30 – Games Night
• Jan 6 – Journal Night

Drop in for a few minutes or stay the whole time, camera on or off. You’re welcome exactly as you are.

fibrocanada.ca/en/a-place-t...

You belong here. 💜
Upcoming Hangouts: • Dec 23 - FAC Christmas Party • Dec 30 – Games Night • Jan 6 – Journal Night Drop in for a few minutes or stay the whole time, camera on or off. You’re welcome exactly as you are. https://fibrocanada.ca/en/a-place-to-feel-connected-this-season-facs-holiday-hangouts-are-back You belong here. 💜
December 11, 2025 at 3:05 PM