1. Learn who can get developmental services and supports
To get services and supports from Developmental Services Ontario (DSO), you must:
- be over 18 years old
- have a developmental disability, and
- live in Ontario
Over 18
To prove that you're over 18 years old, you can give DSO a document that shows your name and age, such as:
- a birth certificate
- a passport
- an Ontario health card
- a driver's licence
Developmental disability
The law defines developmental disability as a disability that:
- affects your ability to learn,
- you were born with, or got before you turned 18, and
- is permanent.
To prove that you have a development disability, you can give DSO a copy of your psychological assessment. A psychological assessment is a test that a psychologist does to see if you need some help to learn, understand information, and complete daily tasks.
DSO will only accept a psychological assessment that is done by a psychologist or psychological associate who is a member of the College of Psychologists in Ontario or in another province.
If you had a psychological assessment done at a hospital, you can ask the hospital for a copy.
If you are under the age of 24 and you had a psychological assessment done in elementary or high school, you can ask the school for a copy. Most schools keep copies for up to 10 years.
If you were under the care of a , you can ask them if you had a psychological assessment done in the past and if they can give you a copy.
If you have never had a psychological assessment done, the DSO can give you information about free psychological assessments and referrals. You can also pay for a psychological assessment but it can cost a lot of money.
Live in Ontario
To prove that you live in Ontario, give DSO a document that shows your address in Ontario, such as:
- an Ontario health card or driver's license
- tenancy agreement, rental agreement, or lease
- a bank account statement with your address on it
- an Ontario Disability Support Program direct deposit statement
It's not clear what the DSO will do if you can't prove that you live in Ontario. For example, if you're homeless, you may not have an address. Do not let this stop you from applying.
