1. What is March of Dimes Canada and what do you do?
March of Dimes Canada is one of the largest community based service providers for people with physical disabilities in the country. We provide a wide range of programs and services to maximize the independence and community participation of people with physical disabilities.
We also offer services to seniors and the medically fragile, as well as services to families, caregivers, employers and health insurance companies. Visit the About Us section for complete details.
2. Which disabilities do you provide services for?
March of Dimes Canada programs are available to any person with a physical disability who can benefit. This includes:
- People born with physical disabilities (such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida, or muscular dystrophy).
- Those who develop it later in life (such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, or post-polio syndrome).
- Those who acquire it through injury or an accident.
We also offer services to seniors and the medically fragile, as well as services to families, caregivers, employers and health insurance companies. Visit the programs section for complete details.
3. Do you fund research?
Yes, March of Dimes Canada supports disability research. In partnership with the University of Toronto's Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, we offer the March of Dimes Canada Early Career Professorship. This position provides a faculty member in the early stages of her or his research career with a well-established framework for investigating interventions and pathways to increase the independence and social integration of brain injury survivors.
Click here to learn more about the March of Dimes Canada Early Career Professorship.
4. How many people in Canada are affected by disabilities?
- Based on the Participation and Activity Limitation Survey (PALS) conducted in 2001 by Statistics Canada, 12.4% have disabilities or roughly 1 in 8 Canadians. In Ontario, the disability rate is 13.5%.
- The Participation and Activity Limitation Survey confirms that the disability rate in Canada increases with age. In fact, more than half (53.3%) of people 75 years and over report having a disability.
5. I want to support your charitable work. Where will my donation be spent?
Your donation will help us provide essential programs and services for people with physical disabilities such as the Assistive Devices, Conductive Education®, Recreation and Integration Services. See
MODC's Financial Accountability section for complete details.
6. What donation options do you offer?
There are many ways you can make a gift to March of Dimes Canada. You can make online donations, or give through our planned giving program, participate in a fundraising event, make a donation or create a lasting legacy.
See Ways to Give section for complete details.
7. What volunteer opportunities are there at March of Dimes Canada?
We provide a variety of opportunities for volunteers, according to their capabilities and interests. These include short-term assignments, seasonal or project-related positions, one-time only, or those that require a regular commitment. You can help with fundraising activities, befriend a person with a physical disability, design a disability-friendly device, assist in office duties and much more.
Click here for a full-list of our volunteering opportunities.
8. I’m interested in working for March of Dimes Canada. How can I apply?
If you're looking to embrace a career where you can improve the quality of people's lives and share our dedication to providing exemplary service, we invite you to visit our Job Opportunities page for complete details.
9. Is March of Dimes Canada affiliated with the March of Dimes in the U.S.?
No. Although March of Dimes in Canada had its beginnings based on the American March of Dimes – to raise money for research to fight the polio epidemic in North America in the 1950s – today March of Dimes Canada provides programs and services for people with physical disabilities, while March of Dimes in the U.S. funds research and programs to prevent birth defects. There are no links between two historic charities.
10. Is your annual report available online?
If you have any questions not answered by the FAQ, please e-mail us at
info@marchofdimes.ca or call us at 1-800-263-DIME (3463).
Understanding Disabilities
Providing Accessible Services for People with Disabilities
When working with people with disabilities, or interacting with people with disabilities in your daily life, it is important that you are able to communicate, assist and address in a way that respects their dignity and independence. Below are some suggestions for how you can ensure the delivery of accessible and inclusive services and support.
Helpful Information
- ‘DO NOT’ use words and phrases such as:
- “What is wrong with you?”
- “Disabled” or “handicapped” when referring to accommodations for people with disabilities.
- Use the term ‘disabled person’.
- ‘DO’ use words and phrases that show respect for the dignity of people with disabilities.
- You will rarely have to refer to the person’s disability or ask ‘what is wrong with you’ when you are speaking with them – instead, it is better to ask them ‘What can I do to assist you?”.
- When talking about accommodations for people with disabilities, use the term accessible.
- Use person first language such as – Person with a disability.
- “DO NOT” make assumptions about the help people need:
- Do not attempt to assist someone without first asking their permission.
- For people using mobility devices: do not attempt to move the person or their devices without permission or interfere with their movement unless asked to do so.
- Do not attempt to lead a person who is blind and has low vision before asking if your assistance is needed.
- Do not attempt to touch a person with autism or other mental health issues.
- “DO” offer your assistance (once permission is obtained) in the ways listed below:
- Ask them if they need support aids that would make them more comfortable.
- Ensure that a person’s wheelchair, scooter, walker, or cane is available to them at all times.
- When speaking to a person with visual impairment, clearly state who you are as you approach them, give verbal cues, descriptive directions and over them your arm to guide them if they wish.
- When speaking to a person who is deaf or hard of hearing, always ask the person how they would prefer to communicate, and get the persons attention through visual cues before speaking to them. Speak clearly at a normal pace, and offer a paper and pencil for written communication.
- When working with a person that has an intellectual or developmental disability provide information gradually and clearly, and adjust your method of communication if necessary.
- Be patient and supportive
- Understand that every person and situation is unique.
Helpful Information About Disabilities
How many people in Canada live with mobility disabilities?
In Canada the national average is 14.5%. In Ontario the average is 16.5%. A bare minimum total of 2 million people in Ontario alone have a disability and the majority have a physical disability or mobility related challenge. 8 in 10 people with a disability use a mobility device, including canes or walkers..
What are the major categories of disabilities and degrees of severity and causes?
Most common issues reported are mobility, flexibility and pain. There are three realities of physical disability:
- Visible (wheelchair);
- Not-so-visible (severe arthritis, chronic lung or heart condition) not immediately obvious, but can impact the ability to climb stairs, stand long periods of time or even move across rooms;
- Aging factor those people aging into a physical disability. Aging and disability tend to go hand-in-hand.
What is the Age profile of people with disabilities?
The average is 4.4% for people ages 15 to 24. The middle age brackets is at 16% and 65plus 43%. Add the increasing population of senior, with physical disabilities and the total numbers are 2.5 to 2.8 million people.
Do people with disabilities live in Urban or rural areas?
People with disabilities live everywhere in both urban and rural areas. However, the heavier urban concentration is due primarily to the availability and types of services and amenities available. At this time 45% of people with disabilities are living within Toronto region.
How do disabilities differ from the present at birth compared to those an acquired later in life?
If a person is born with a disability (cerebral palsy, down-syndrome, brain damage at birth, etc.) the individual is going to age with that disability. An acquired disability is often the result of an accident, trauma, stroke or later-in-life diseases.As a note, brain injury, accidents causing disabilities, trauma, and strokes are on the increase.
Is a mobility disability always visible?
Not everyone with a physical disability uses a wheelchair. Some conditions like multiple sclerosis are not always visible, but equally restricting in mobility.
Is a mobility limitation the same every day and throughout the day?
Many disabilities can be episodic in nature and many challenges will alternate from being of minimal challenge to severe restriction within one day or week.
To what extent do people with mobility disabilities have other kind of disability as well?
The fastest increasing incidence of physical disability is multiple disabilities. A stroke can result in brain injury, coupling neurological physical disabilities.
If you see a person get out of a car with a disability parking permit, and they walk with no cane mobility device, are they cheating?
Episodic disabilities can create extreme fatigue and can fluctuate during the day. Being able to park closer to a building will allow the individual more ease in walking or carrying objects to the car.
How should someone ask if someone has a mobility disability?
We are all the enabler and should be there to help achieve the maximum effective participation of that individual. Focus on how to more effectively accommodate the individual as opposed to focusing on the disability. “Are there any specific accessibility considerations I should be aware of?” Is there any assistance you might require?”
What is attendant care?
Attendant care is a personal support service for people with physical disabilities. This service can includes personal grooming and washroom activity, assistance at medical appointments, household management, or going to an event.
Who needs this support?
Anyone at any age living with a disability that has restrictive dexterity, mobility or flexibility needs some support.
Where does someone get attendant care from?
March of Dimes Canada is among the largest in Canada, plus others. In Ontario alone, we deliver services to around 68,000 households requiring attendant care, plus one-off service and event bookings. 1-800-263-3463
What stereotypes are common about people with mobility disabilities?
Sadly, there are many stereotypes about people with disabilities such as: assuming that the individual also has a lower mental capacity; that they cannot lead productive lives, with careers family and travel; that people are confined to wheelchairs; that the Individual always need help (like anyone else, just ask); that the person is an object of pity and personal tragedy; or that the person is brave, courageous or inspirational due to living a life of disability.
