500 Hallmark Drive, Waterloo, ON, N2K 3P5
Phone: 519-886-8886
KidsAbility is a pediatric rehabilitation centre serving the Region of Waterloo and Wellington County. KidsAbility serves 15,000 families on average per year. Services offered by the Centre include a variety of therapies, entry to school, a resource centre for the community to access and so much more.
The Centre also partners with the KidsAbility Foundation (the charitable arm of the organization) and the KidsAbility School (which supports students beginning their educational journey).
Mission Statement
Potential Realized/KidsAbilityTM empowers children and youth with special needs to realize their full potential
Our Story
KidsAbility is a multifaceted service provider in the Waterloo-Wellington region. The organization provides services to children living with disabilities and their families. Supporting children from birth all to the age of 21, KidsAbility helps families navigate their child’s journey from childhood to adulthood, regardless of whether or not they have a diagnosis. The clinical staff at KidsAbility works diligently with children and their families to create a warm and caring environment that fosters inclusion and success.
The Centre is funded by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, the Region of Waterloo and Wellington County, and the generous support of the community through the KidsAbility Foundation.
The Centre was formed in 1957 by local Rotarians and continues to be supported by Rotary groups today. When it opened, it was known as the K-W Rotary Children’s Centre. Several expansions and new sites have been opened over the years, with the organization now having locations in Waterloo, Kitchener, Guelph, Fergus, and Mount Forest, as well as a soon to be opened location in Palmerston. A variety of locations helps provide an ease of access for families, by limiting the amount of time they have to drive in order to receive services.
There are a variety of services that KidsAbility provides to clients and their families. These include autism services, speech language pathology, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, social work, therapeutic recreation and so much more. By fostering strong community connections and relationships, KidsAbility staff are also able to connect families with services outside of the organization that may be helpful to them.
Our People/Our Team
Linda Kenny – Chief Executive Officer
Lisa Vohsemer – Vice President - Finance & Operations
Lori Madden – Vice President - People and Culture
Tracy Shonk-Lacey – Vice-President – Client Services
Brendan Wylie-Toal – Innovation Lead
Michelle Young-Bigger – Administrative Assistant
Lisa Talbot – Executive Director – KidsAbility Foundation
Karen Moore – Principal – KidsAbility School Authority
Achievement/Awards And Recognition
Accredited with exemplary standing by Accreditation Canada, with a score of 100%. This is the highest possible delegation.
Our Partners
KidsAbility works with a variety of partners in the community with the goal of helping children and their families realize their potential.