Direct Funding News and Information Hub

About Direct Funding

Direct Funding is an innovative program enabling adults with physical disabilities to become employers of their own attendants.

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A man sitting in a powered wheelchair with his daughter riding behind him smiling in a forest clearing.

Featured

Man sitting in powered wheelchair under sculpture.

What Is Direct Funding?

Direct Funding is an innovative program that lets adults with physical disabilities become employers of their own attendants.

Man sitting in powered wheelchair hanging out with two others in chairs on a dock.

Why Direct Funding?

Is Direct Funding right for you? “Direct Funding has changed my life.” We hear this regularly from people who are on the program.

How your local Independent Living Centre can help you

Direct Funding can help you lead a more independent life. But being independent doesn’t mean doing everything on your own!

Two women smile for the camera one of who is in a wheelchair.

Perks of being an employer

Direct Funding gives you the flexibility and control that being your own employer can bring. But that’s not where its benefits end.

Three people sitting around a meeting table talking.

How the Direct Funding interview process works

After a period on the program waitlist, you will be invited to meet with a selection panel that will determine your eligibility for Direct Funding.

Woman in wheelchair talking to man in wheelchair at an outdoors picnic.

Tips for finding and hiring attendants

Employing your own attendant may seem like a daunting task at first. There are many unknowns – where do you find applicants? What qualities should you look for in them? How can you choose between them?

Man behind woman in wheelchair with steel drum band in background.

How the Independent Living Community can help you self-manage

Most people aren’t familiar with the term, “self-manage”. Basically, it means you’re in control and responsible for the hiring, management, and if needed, disciplining of your attendants.

A couple with a disability in wheelchairs holding their infant child.

What is Nurturing Assistance?

As any new parent will tell you, having a baby is both an exciting and terrifying experience. There’s so much to grapple with, from round-the-clock feedings and sleepless nights to diaper changes.