Empowered Kids Ontario

#FunFactFriday message with “The Paralympics begin today!” written above a stylized maple leaf and Paralympic logo. “Let’s Go!” is written in a red bubble. Below is the Milano Cortina 2026 emblem.

LET'S GO, CANADA!

Watch in English: https://gem.cbc.ca/section/paralympics
Watch in French: https://ici.tou.tv/section/paralympiques

#MilanoCortina #ParalympicGames #CanadianParalympics #TeamCanada

EKO is encouraging students to express themselves however they want!
https://www.empoweredkidsontario.ca/applynow

Share the message. Spread the word. Let's give some scholarships!

#EKOScholar #Scholarship #HigherEd #DisabilityEd #InclusiveEd

The EKO Tribute Award logo is featured at the top. Below, text reads: "Celebrate the people and teams that are changing the game for kids with disabilities and their families. The 2026 EKO Tribute Awards honour outstanding work in six categories..."

Five purple circles are labeled "Advocacy," "Leadership," "Partnership," "Rising Star," "Service," and "Excellence." Three purple arrows point to the right at the bottom right corner.

The EKO Tribute Award logo is featured at the top. Below, text reads: "Nominations are open until May 22, 2026. Celebrate the people and teams in your communities with the link in our bio."

Which category is the best fit for the people, teamd or organizations in your community?
https://www.empoweredkidsontario.ca/submitanomination

#EKOTributeAward #DevelopmentalHealth #KidsHealth #Disability #HealthLeadership #Advocacy

Logo for World Birth Defects Day featuring a silhouette of an adult holding a child against a globe background, encircled by the text "World Birth Defects Day - Every Journey Matters."

More than 8 million babies worldwide are born with a serious birth defect each year.

Today, on #WorldBDDay we join other organizations in raising #AwarenessWithoutStigma.

Learn more at: www.worldbirthdefectsday.org

Contact Brant - Children's Services Brantford Start with us! Helping families navigate community support for behavioural, developmental, and special needs.

Member of the Month: @Contact_Brant 🎉

Whether a family needs developmental services, mental health support, housing resources, or specialized programs, Contact Brant helps them find the right door.

Learn more: www.contactbrant.net
#EmpowerKids #DevelopmentalHealth

#FunFactFriday text at the top with "Paralympics begin NEXT WEEK!" The Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympics logo is centered, featuring a stylized "26" in gradient colors above the text. Three chevron arrows in purple are at the bottom right.

#FunFactFriday: Canada is sending 50 athletes to compete in each sport at the Games: Para alpine skiing, Para ice hockey, Para Nordic skiing, Para snowboard, and Wheelchair curling. The Paralympic symbol and decorative arrows are included.

#FunFactFriday graphic with text about the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games, happening March 6-15. Coverage available on CBC, CBC Gem in English, and ICI TÉLÉ and ICI TOU.TV in French. The Paralympic symbol is displayed.

Let's go, Canada!

Are you ready to cheer on the Canadian Paralympic Team next week?

We're sending 50 athletes this year—24 hold a Paralympic medal and 17 are multi-medalists.

Catch the coverage on CBC's English and French services.
@CBC @Paralympics @CDNParalympics

As we head into the Paralympics next week, a new report calls out ableism in sport. It's a meaningful piece that deserves our time and consideration. 👇

#DisabledSport #Disability #Sport #Paralympics #Olympics #Ableism
https://sirc.ca/articles/disability-safety-sport/

Have you started your application for the 2026 EKO Scholarship Program?!
https://www.empoweredkidsontario.ca/applynow

We're connecting applicants with a scholarship coach to guide them through the submission process.

What can students expect? 👇

A group of people wearing life vests paddle a dragon boat on a lake. The boat is long with a blue and white pattern. Several children and adults are seated along the boat, enjoying the activity. Houses and greenery are visible in the background.

Two camp counselors smile as they stand on either side of a camper who is smiling and posing with the flower pot she just painted.

A camper in a kayak wearing a blue shirt, red life vest, colorful cap, and bright green shoes is smiling widely while holding a paddle. A counselor in a yellow life jacket stands in the water next to the kayak, assisting.

Remember summer? @OneKidsPlace campers do!

For kids with #Autism or other developmental needs, traditional camps pose barriers; OKP provides support & specialized programming tailored to each child.

The camps foster #SocialEmotionalLearning, #RelationshipBuilding, and growth.

Bright promotional image for One Kids Place, advertising their podcast series. It features a colorful pinwheel, a microphone icon, and soundwave graphics. The text is in both English and French.

#FunFactFriday
@OneKidsPlace podcast series! Check out the 5 streams 👇

Autism: https://bit.ly/4aHDVQ2
Occupational Therapy: https://bit.ly/3MH0sEF
Physiotherapy: https://bit.ly/4rl1kOo
Speech-Language Pathology: https://bit.ly/46gS5qd
Social Work: https://bit.ly/4ruFrMO

The most prevalent disability in classrooms may be FASD — and supporting students is vital A valuable resource for teacher candidates and current teachers about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder is the Canada FASD Research Network.

"While teacher candidates possessed knowledge of strategies to support students with disabilities such as ASD and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, they were largely unaware of the challenges faced by children with FASD."
https://bit.ly/4rPbqH8
@queensu

We're still accepting applications for the 2026 EKO Scholarship Program!
https://bit.ly/4alM3qC

ATTN Students 🎓
Have you received services from an EKO member organization: https://bit.ly/4pjHsdF
Use the first link above to create an account and apply today!
#EKOScholars

The image features a white background with plum coloured designs. The text reads, "The 2026 EKO Tribute Awards are NOW OPEN." The EKO Tribute Award logo is visible in the upper right corner.

The image features text stating, "Recognize those changing the game for kids with disabilities and developmental needs." The design includes two decorative purple arcs on the top and bottom edges and the EKO Tribute Award logo.

This image contains text about the EKO Tribute Award. It explains that the awards fall into six categories, celebrating exemplary leaders, distinctive partnerships, transformative initiatives, extensive volunteer and professional service, and rising stars.

The image features the "eko Tribute Award" logo. Text below invites submissions of a written, spoken, or video nomination by May 22, 2026. The design includes circular purple accents.

Anyone coming to mind?
https://www.empoweredkidsontario.ca/tributeawards

Recognize those that are changing the game for kids with disabilities and developmental needs, in Ontario and beyond.

Nominations are due by May 22, 2026. Submit yours NOW with the link above!

Canadians are turning to AI for health advice and they’re getting answers that can put them in danger.
https://bit.ly/3Zw2vyq

New @CMA_Docs survey shows Canadians look for health information online and those that take AI advice are more likely to report negative impacts.

A colorful geometric design with purple, turquoise, and green triangles. Text reads, "Empowered Kids Ontario welcomes Contact Niagara for Children's and Developmental Services as a new member." The Contact Niagara logo appears at the bottom.

Geometric design surrounds the text: "Contact Niagara is the central access point for children and youth with developmental, behavioural, autism, and complex needs in Niagara."

Shapes surround text that promotes Contact Niagara and the organization's dedication to delivering services and ensuring timely, flexible and appropriate responses while valuing the diversity of their communities.

Excited to welcome Contact Niagara as a new member! 🎉
https://www.empoweredkidsontario.ca/newsroom?newsid=3323

Contact Niagara is the central access point for children and youth with developmental, behavioural, autism, and complex needs in Niagara.
#EmpowerKids #DevelopmentalHealth #KidsHealth

CBC's logo is featured on the right under the ACCESSWORKS title and above the event date: February 11, 2026. On the right, details of the event read, A free professional development event celebrating accessibility and inclusion in our content.

Want to reach and include more people in your content? https://www.cbc.ca/businessandrights/events/accessworks2026

Tune in TODAY at 1 PM to learn from experts how to make your content and processes more accessible 👆

A boy stands in front of his new bike holding a new Spiderman bell and bike lock. He is smiling and wearing a new blue helmet and a dark blue T-shirt. He got his new bike and accessories thanks to One Kids Place's Family Support Council.

Logo of One Kids Place Children's Treatment Centre, featuring a colorful pinwheel design next to the bilingual text "One Kids Place" and "La Place des Enfants" in blue.

Looks like he likes the NEW bike and safety accessories!

The Family Support Program at @OneKidsPlace is a newly established funding initiative that seeks to remove barriers and alleviate financial burdens for families supporting children with disabilities.

#OurKids #KidsHealth

Image showing a white cane with a red tip, used as an aid for visually impaired individuals. Text reads, "Did you know it's White Cane Week?" Purple arrows encourage you to scroll to the next image.

The EKO image text reads: "This important week is about raising awareness for the challenges facing Canadians with vision loss." Purple arrows encourage users to scroll to the next image.

Promotional image for #WhiteCaneWeek by Empowered Kids Ontario. Text encourages finding out about events happening in the community this weekend.

It's White Cane Week!

Find events in your communities this weekend: https://ccbnational.net/shaggy/white-cane-week/

And learn more @CNIB : https://www.cnib.ca/en/resources/living-blindness/white-cane-awareness-project

#WhiteCaneWeek #Blind #LowVision #Accessibility #DisabilityAwareness

#EKOScholars applicants can start their applications and save their progress with an account on the submissions portal, giving them more time to organize!
https://www.empoweredkidsontario.ca/applynow

Share this step-by-step video with students in your communities!

Let's give some scholarships 👏

Meet the 'supermoms,' a group of Black mothers fighting the stigma of autism | CBC News In some cultures, autism is seen as a "curse." For these "supermoms" of kids with autism, unlearning the shame and celebrating each other provides life-changing connection.

"The supermoms group has grown into a WhatsApp chat of more than 60 women that provides a forum for conversation, advice and support as they share their children's challenges and triumphs."
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/supermoms-group-moms-of-kids-with-autism-9.7019505
#KidsHealth #Autism

Member of the Month: @OneKidsPlace! 🎉

One Kids Place works with families, children & youth with communication, developmental, and physical disabilities. Through direct supports, OKP is there every step of the way—for their kids.
https://www.onekidsplace.ca/

#FunFactFriday
We are connecting 2026 EKO Scholarship applicants with a coach!

Charlene will give students guidance and help them meet the requirements, organize their applications and keep track of deadlines.

Email scholarshipcoach@gmail.com
https://www.empoweredkidsontario.ca/scholarshipcoach

AI-generated doctors are dispensing dubious health advice Indicator identified more than two dozen social media accounts that feature synthetic doctors and medical professionals. They've racked up millions of views and engagements.

Health Misinformation—here's what you need to know.
https://indicator.media/p/ai-generated-doctors-are-dispensing-dubious-health-advice

@indicator.media is calling out health-related accounts that are spreading false or misleading information to millions of viewers, using AI-generated personas.

An illustration promoting Family Literacy Day, featuring six family members of diverse ages enjoying a meal together around a dining table, with a caption that reads: 'Make mealtime family learning time.'

This year's #FamilyLiteracyDay theme: “Make mealtime family learning time”
https://abclifeliteracy.ca/programs/family-literacy-day/

Follow recipes, make shopping lists—prepping mealtime is a fun (and tasty) way for families to learn together!

How Dr. Tom Chau Is Giving Nonverbal Kids New Ways To Communicate Dr. Tom Chau has spent more than 25 years proving something the world still forgets too easily. A child can be fully present, fully aware, full of humor and opinions — and still be treated as invisibl...

“The onus is on technology to adapt to the child rather than to have the child adapt to technology.”

Thanks to amazing work by Dr. Tom Chau from @hollandbloorview, more kids are accessing tech adapted to support their communication, learning and play.
https://bit.ly/4r8r2VR

Major Review Refutes Claims Of Autism-Tylenol Link Taking Tylenol during pregnancy does not increase the risk that a child will have autism, intellectual disability or ADHD, according to a new study that contradicts warnings from U.S. officials.

More coverage on the newest Lancet study that found no link between Tylenol use and autism 👇
https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2026/01/21/major-review-refutes-claims-of-autism-tylenol-link/31818/

Graphic featuring a header 'MOBILE UPGRADE'. Below, a subheading reads: 'An innovative program reaches Ontario children who were falling through the gaps by Patchen Barss'. The text invites readers to follow the link in the post to read the story.

#FunFactFriday
https://bit.ly/4jQtnlV

We love a good news story, especially one that highlights innovation for kids and families in community!

@MackenzieHealth @SurreyPlaceON
#KidsHealth #EmpowerKids #DevelopmentalHealth #BehaviouralHealth

How do I decide if I can trust the health information I’m seeing? Before you go ahead and share, like or pay attention to a piece of health info, there are a few ways to figure out if a source is reliable.

Is that health information you're sharing trustworthy?
https://www.cma.ca/healthcare-for-real/how-do-i-decide-if-i-can-trust-health-information-im-seeing

@CMA_Docs @ScienceUpFirst @HealthyDebate @CMAJ @Our_KidsHealth

Promotional image for the 2026 EKO Scholarship Program featuring a group of excited students with books and another group of students using wheelchairs and playing basketball. There is a QR code with the text prompt, "Have you registered to apply yet?"

We're still accepting applications for the 2026 EKO Scholarship Program!
https://www.empoweredkidsontario.ca/scholarshipawards

EKO members, spread the word to students in your centres and communities—share this post and help us give some scholarships!!

#EKOScholars #Scholarship #InclusiveEducation

Image featuring text for #FunFactFriday listing three points about developmental health focusing on lifelong well-being and specialized family-centered care for kids with disabilities.

You're right, it's all of the above!

Learn more about the sector and the amazing teams that are working for kids and families in Ontario: https://www.empoweredkidsontario.ca/about

#EmpowerKids #DevelopmentalHealth #KidsHealth