Community Living flag a disability inclusion call to action in Huntsville

Suzanne Willett, Executive Director for Community Living Huntsville, speaks about the importance of belonging and advocacy for people with developmental disabilities, during the 2025 Community Living Flag Raising Celebration at Huntsville Civic Square. Photos by Community Living Huntsville.

Cheers filled the air as the Town of Huntsville prepared to raise the Community Living Huntsville flag at town hall in May 2025.

“Thank you to Community Living for all you do for our community,” said Dan Armour, Deputy Mayor, Town of Huntsville. “Thank you for (promoting) diversity and the inclusion of everyone.”

Our flag, a powerful symbol of dignity, rights, and real community inclusion for people with developmental disabilities, was unfurled in Huntsville Civic Square for the flag-raising celebration during Community Living Month.

The roughly 30 people who attended cheered the town and the flag, and then applauded speeches that both celebrated the Community Living movement and acknowledged the effort still needed.

Jo-Anne Demick, Director of Community Relations and Collaboration for Community Living Ontario, praised our organization as a leader in the Developmental Services sector, as we continued to promote and advance meaningful choice and real inclusion for people and families who access our services.

That effort was needed, she said, as people and families continued to face barriers to inclusion and belonging across the province.

“There are over 52,000 people waiting for supports and services, whether that be community participation, employment, housing – critically important supports to ensure that people are fully connected to their community, have the opportunity to contribute, and to be full citizens,” said Demick.

She invited everyone to get involved in advocacy efforts.

 Suzanne Willett, Executive Director for Community Living Huntsville, echoed Demick’s concerns about mounting wait lists for supports and services across Ontario.

“Times are tough. People and families are struggling. Our sector is struggling. … Every year, the wait lists get longer,” said Willett. “These waits hurt families and prevent children and adults from getting the support they need to live lives of dignity and equity. People and families need meaningful solutions – now.”

She said Community Living Huntsville was working hard to make a difference by advocating for policy changes to increase funding and speed up service delivery, while also offering innovative services, like our Pathways, Transitional Housing, and Be an Inclusive Landlord initiatives. These initiatives aim to both ease the impact of long wait times and support those who would otherwise fall through the cracks.

Willett noted, though, that the organization could not succeed alone. That was why, she said, our Board of Directors had unveiled a refreshed vision statement for our organization that reflected the shared effort that must continue if our community is to achieve real change: Creating a Community of Belonging Together.

“Our community has a history of rising to the challenge,” she said. “By pushing for real change to build a stronger community, we can reduce wait times and improve quality of life for everyone – together.”

Willett thanked Town of Huntsville council and employees for their support.

“Raising our flag is a symbol of your ongoing commitment to creating a community of disability-inclusion and belonging,” she said. “Thank you!”

Every flag raising is a celebration of the progress our communities have made in building places where everyone has the opportunity to belong. It is also a reminder of the work that still lies ahead. Real inclusion means working collaboratively to eliminate barriers, grow understanding, and ensure that every person can live, work, and thrive with the support they need and deserve.

Whether you have been involved for years or you are just learning about Community Living, we invite you to be a part of the movement. Learn how you can get involved here: https://www.clhuntsville.ca/get-involved/

Community Living Huntsville is a not-for-profit, registered charity that supports and advocates alongside more than 300 children and adults, and their families, to promote and advance meaningful choice and real inclusion for people with developmental disabilities, so people, families, and our community can thrive. Learn more at clhuntsville.ca. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.