Inclusion & Accessibility
Our commitment to clients & partners in creating a welcoming environment that celebrates diversity

Inclusion and accessibility contribute greatly to the leadership and longevity of Surrey Place. We value and respect the diversity of our clients, families, teams, volunteers, staff and our community partners, ensuring that they all feel welcome. Through our actions, we aim to promote best practices and principles that result in better services, programs, partnerships and client experiences in a safe and healthy environment.
We strive to make equal access and opportunity the norm for our clients and their families. Our staff and volunteers are given comprehensive training to ensure that they understand and meet the needs of clients and communities. Additionally, the organization embeds inclusion and accessibility into all policies, initiatives and plans to encourage underrepresented groups to join and participate at Surrey Place.
We recognize the systemic barriers that can create unequal conditions that disadvantage vulnerable communities. As an organization that provides services and programs to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, we are determined to keep fighting for better right now and in the future.
Accessibility Plan
A comprehensive approach to accessibility to reduce structural, information, communication and technology barriers and ensure that all clients, staff and community members feel welcome.
Our Commitment to Indigenous Inclusion and Reconciliation
We strongly believe in the value of building knowledge and understanding of Indigenous perspectives to continue broadening our inclusion, reconciliation and accessibility practices at Surrey Place. Over the years, our team has built its capacity to incorporate Indigenous perspectives, and principles into their work. Ongoing training, professional development and strategic planning have been key to our learning and publicly demonstrating our commitment to Indigenous Reconciliation. Throughout the year, we have been working with an Indigenous Strategic Advisor to deepen our knowledge of historical and contemporary issues that Indigenous communities. These steps have supported key components in our strategic plan, including strengthening our commitments to inclusion and cultural awareness for our clients. Additionally, we have created spaces for our staff, board members and clinicians to consult with the Advisor to ask questions and explore topics. So far, we have trained more than 460 staff, partners and board members. We are looking forward to continuing to learn how to better serve and work with Indigenous people and communities.
Land Acknowledgment
We recognize that Toronto is located on the traditional territory of many diverse Indigenous nations.