Children and Family Services
Every child deserves opportunities to play, learn, build friendships and enjoy the experiences that make childhood meaningful. For children who are deafblind, barriers to accessible recreation, communication and specialized supports can make these opportunities harder to access.
Through Children & Family Services, Sensity works alongside children, youth and their families across Ontario to help remove these barriers, providing individualized supports, practical resources and opportunities for meaningful participation at home and in their communities.
Supporting Children & Families Across Ontario
Every child who is deafblind has unique abilities, communication methods, interests and support needs. Sensity works closely with children, parents and caregivers to provide personalized services and resources that reflect what matters most to each family.
We also recognize the important role families and caregivers play. From understanding a child’s communication and sensory needs to navigating services, connecting with other families and planning for the future, our program provides practical guidance, education and opportunities for shared learning.
Professional Intervenors help children who are deafblind access communication, learning, and experiences beyond the classroom. Working alongside each child, Intervenors facilitate participation in activities that reflect their interests and goals, from swimming lessons and summer camps to after-school programs, recreation, and community outings.
Through workshops, educational sessions, and family events, Sensity brings together parents, guardians, and professionals to share knowledge, practical strategies, and experiences related to deafblindness.
Our Canadian Parent Conference is one example of this commitment, bringing families from across Canada together for expert-led learning, peer discussions, and collaboration on topics that matter most to families. These opportunities help parents build confidence, strengthen their understanding of their child’s needs, and develop relationships with others who share similar experiences.
Sensity provides individualized consultation and practical guidance to help families better understand and respond to their child’s communication, sensory, and support needs.
This may include communication strategies, information about specialized resources and equipment, and guidance in navigating available services.
As children grow, moving between schools, entering adolescence, and preparing for adult services can bring new questions and decisions for families.
Sensity provides guidance and planning support to help children, youth, and their families understand available options, identify goals, and prepare for these changes with clarity and assurance.
“We are so grateful for the funding we receive through Sensity for our son, Leo, who is hard of hearing and has very low vision. Because of his physical needs for assistance, Leo has not been able to participate in summer camps like other children his age. His needs are not cognitive, which can make it especially difficult for him to understand why he cannot take part in the same activities as his friends.
With Sensity and the Children’s Intervenor Services Fund, Leo was able to participate in a week-long summer camp at our local pool, where he also takes adaptive swimming lessons. Working alongside his Intervenor, Leo was able to participate right next to his friends and experience the joy of being included.
It has been wonderful to see his confidence and participation grow, while knowing he has someone he trusts who understands his unique communication and physical needs. As parents, having an Intervenor with Leo gives us peace of mind and allows us to see him enjoy opportunities that might otherwise not be accessible to him. We feel incredibly blessed and grateful to receive this funding for our son, and to see the meaningful difference it makes in his life and in our family’s life.”
— Leo’s Family
Children’s Intervenor Services Fund
Helping make meaningful childhood experiences more accessible.
Many children who are deafblind receive specialized supports during school hours, but access to Intervenor Services and other resources outside the classroom can be limited.
The Children’s Intervenor Services Fund is a donor-funded initiative within Sensity’s broader Children & Family Services program. It provides financial assistance to eligible families for Intervenor Services, recreational experiences, caregiver education and other approved supports that might otherwise be out of reach.
Depending on eligibility, funding availability and program guidelines, eligible expenses may include:
- Intervenor Services outside school hours and related activity expenses
- Recreation programs and summer camps
- Caregiver education, deafblindness-related assessments and respite services
- Sensory items (subject to Sensity’s pre-approval)
Review the guidelines for eligibility requirements, eligible expenses and details about the application process.
Applications for 2026 are now closed.
Looking for Support?
Whether you’re seeking services for your child, exploring educational opportunities or looking for guidance related to deafblindness, our Children & Family Services team can help you learn more about available supports.
Contact Our Children & Family Services Team