Ability Online
Encyclopedia
Ability Online is a Canadian
online community for children and young adults facing any sort of disability
(intellectual or physical), chronic illness, or other social challenge. The site offers a protected and nurturing environment where these children can overcome the social isolation often associated with having such challenges, and connect with friends, mentors, homework tutors and job search coaches.
The site was founded in 1991 by Dr. Arlette Lefebvre
(aka "Dr. Froggie") from the Hospital for Sick Children
in Toronto
, Ontario
, and Brian Hillis with the goal of helping to inspire children to feel good about themselves, to understand that there are others who have faced (and overcome) similar challenges, and to provide the social networks and skills required to help them integrate more fully into their communities.
Membership is open to kids of all ages and their families and caregivers, and is free of charge. Members are manually screened and verified prior to being given access to the site, and all public messages on the site are monitored by police-screened volunteers.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
online community for children and young adults facing any sort of disability
Disability
A disability may be physical, cognitive, mental, sensory, emotional, developmental or some combination of these.Many people would rather be referred to as a person with a disability instead of handicapped...
(intellectual or physical), chronic illness, or other social challenge. The site offers a protected and nurturing environment where these children can overcome the social isolation often associated with having such challenges, and connect with friends, mentors, homework tutors and job search coaches.
The site was founded in 1991 by Dr. Arlette Lefebvre
Arlette Lefebvre
Arlette Marie-Laure Lefebvre, CM, O.Ont known by her patients as "Dr. Froggie" is a child psychiatrist at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Canada....
(aka "Dr. Froggie") from the Hospital for Sick Children
Hospital for Sick Children
The Hospital for Sick Children – is a major paediatric centre for the Greater Toronto Area, serving patients up to age 18. Located on University Avenue in Downtown Toronto, SickKids is part of the city’s Discovery District, a critical mass of scientists and entrepreneurs who are focused on...
in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, and Brian Hillis with the goal of helping to inspire children to feel good about themselves, to understand that there are others who have faced (and overcome) similar challenges, and to provide the social networks and skills required to help them integrate more fully into their communities.
Membership is open to kids of all ages and their families and caregivers, and is free of charge. Members are manually screened and verified prior to being given access to the site, and all public messages on the site are monitored by police-screened volunteers.