The ministry’s Passport program includes:

1. Passport Mentoring

This is an opportunity for high school students who have a developmental disability to consider options for their future by being paired with experienced adult mentors. Students and mentors work together to decide what steps they need to take to achieve the student's goals.

2. Passport Funding

This part of the program helps adults with a developmental disability find more ways to participate in their communities by:

• easing the transition from school to life as an adult in the community
• encouraging independence
• building social, emotional and community participation skills, and
• promoting continuing education and personal development.

Through Passport, people can receive funding for activities that help them:

• grow personally
• participate in community programs
• develop work and volunteer skills
• create their own life plans (this is called person-directed planning)
• reach their goals.

Individuals and families can choose to:

• receive Passport money directly so they can purchase their own services and supports
• get services and supports through community-based agencies, or
• get services and supports through a combination of both.

Who can apply

The Passport Mentoring program is for students with a developmental disability who are 14 - 21 years old.

Passport funding is for young adults with a developmental disability who are no longer eligible for school supports, but who would benefit from community participation supports. You cannot receive Ontario Disability Support Program Employment Supports at the same time as Passport funding.

You can live with family, independently or in a supportive living arrangement (such as a group home). First priority goes to people who are living at home with their families.

How to apply

Contact Developmental Services Ontario to apply. If you’re eligible, staff there will help you complete a developmental services application package to assess your needs and connect you with services and supports as they become available.