Breaking Down Barriers

What Breaking Down Barriers does

Breaking Down Barriers (BDB) is a Canadian registered charity founded on February 25, 1985 and headquartered at 234 Ste. Marie Street in Collingwood, Ontario. The organization operates as one of only 24 accredited Independent Living Centres in Canada and is an accredited member of Independent Living Canada. It serves individuals with visible and invisible disabilities — physical, sensory, emotional, and intellectual — across Simcoe, Grey, and Bruce Counties, including the cities of Orillia and Barrie. Its functional mission is enabling independent living through skill development, peer support, resource navigation, and self-managed attendant care.

Its core service portfolio comprises five interconnected programs: Independent Living Skills, Peer Support, Resources & Supports, Direct Funding Self-Managed Attendant Services (administering Ontario's Direct Funding program), and the Connecting With Seniors program for adults aged 55-105. Specialized offerings include the Diabetes Information Group (delivered in partnership with the South Georgian Bay Community Health Centre), AODA 2025 Compliance Resources (bilingual French/English accessibility tools), the Thumbs Up! Built Environment Audit service, and AODA training for businesses. Service delivery uses a hybrid model — in-person programming at the BDB Centre combined with Zoom virtual sessions — and is supported by YouTube video content (e.g., Wellness Without Barriers series) and community outreach at farmers markets and health fairs. The technology footprint is light: Zoom for virtual delivery, YouTube for video, and the AccessNow app for accessibility mapping community outreach; no proprietary software platform was disclosed.

The organization operates as a non-profit funded primarily through government grants under a Multi-Sector Service Accountability Agreement (M-SAA) with Ontario Health/NSM LHIN, supplemented by individual and corporate donations and select grant funding (e.g., Ontario Trillium Foundation). All consumer-facing programs are provided at no cost to participants; AODA training and built environment audits represent a minor commercial service line for businesses and municipalities. A small staff of 1-10 is augmented by 3,000-5,000 volunteer hours annually. Governance is delivered by a voluntary Board of Directors with 51% of members required to identify as having a disability, consistent with the Independent Living Philosophy.

Name

Breaking Down Barriers

Legal name

Breaking Down Barriers

Website

https://breakingdownbarriers.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Breaking Down Barriers is a registered Canadian charity founded in 1985 and one of 24 accredited Independent Living Centres nationally. Headquartered in Collingwood, Ontario, it delivers independent living skills, peer support, direct funding administration, and AODA training to individuals with disabilities across Simcoe, Grey, and Bruce Counties.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Support Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Individual and Family Services (6241), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (62431)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM), Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGAEAG), Interagency Coordination & Case Management (VR, DD, Medicaid Waivers) (EDAKANAM)

Keywords

• Disability support services
• Independent living programs
• Peer support services
• AODA compliance training
• Accessibility consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Collingwood

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Charitable organization accepting donations from individuals, corporations, and community supporters. Registered charity with charitable registration number 11881 7246 RR 0001.
2. Government Funding: Funded through Multi-Sector Service Accountability Agreement (M-SAA) with government; Core funding from Ontario Health/NSM LHIN for community support services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Breaking Down Barriers is a registered charity and Independent Living Resource Centre that delivers free programs and services to individuals with visible and invisible disabilities across Simcoe, Grey and Bruce Counties. Core offerings include Independent Living Skills training, Peer Support, Resources & Supports, Direct Funding Self-Managed Attendant Services, Diabetes Information Group, Connecting With Seniors social program, and AODA 2025 compliance resources, built environment audits, and training for businesses.

Product overview

Breaking Down Barriers is a registered charity and Independent Living Resource Centre offering a portfolio of programs and services for individuals with diverse disabilities. The organization operates five interconnected core programs aligned with the Independent Living Philosophy: Independent Living Skills (skill development and access to essential services), Peer Support (social connection and leadership development), Resources & Supports (information, networking, and community guidance), and Direct Funding Self-Managed Attendant Services (Ontario program support). Beyond these core offerings, BDB provides specialized health programming including the Diabetes Information Group, the Connecting With Seniors social program, and AODA compliance services including resources, built environment audits, and training for businesses.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Independent Living Skills A multi-faceted program that equips individuals with diverse disabilities with skills for decision-making and assists with access to housing, transportation, health and wellness services, employment, education and training. Targeted at people with physical, sensory, emotional and intellectual disabilities seeking to live independently.
• Peer Support Program based on sharing knowledge from life experiences, developing leadership skills, and eliminating social isolation through activities such as music, crafts, sports and field trips. For individuals with disabilities seeking community connection and leadership development.
• Direct Funding Self-Managed Attendant Services Support for Ontario's Direct Funding Program enabling adults with physical disabilities to become employers of their own attendants for routine activities of living such as dressing, grooming and bathing. For adults with physical disabilities who qualify for Ontario's Direct Funding self-managed attendant services program.
• Diabetes Information Group Expert-led education sessions focused on diabetes and pre-diabetes management, with nutrition-focused field trips and supportive environment for shared learning and community connection. Delivered in partnership with South Georgian Bay Community Health Centre diabetes educators.
• Connecting With Seniors

Quantifiable outcome

• Serves consumers across Simcoe, Grey and Bruce Counties
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• South Georgian Bay Community Health CentremajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partnership formed in 2025 for the Diabetes Information Group program. SGB CHC diabetes educators lead evidence-based education sessions at BDB Centre, hosted bi-monthly in a hybrid format.
• Independent Living CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational umbrella organization representing and coordinating Independent Living Centres across Canada. BDB is an accredited member of this network, following the Independent Living Philosophy founded in 1986.
• South Georgian Bay Ontario Health TeamcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnchor partner of the SGB OHT, one of only 42 Ontario Provincial Health Teams. BDB participates as a healthcare partner in the network of local health professionals, organizations, and community members working to improve patient access to care.
• EasterSeals CanadaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBDB participates in National AccessAbility Week virtual conference hosted by EasterSeals Canada, promoting accessibility awareness and resources.
• 211 Ontario Community NavigatorsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partnership with 211 Ontario's Community Navigators who help individuals identify, understand and effectively use human service delivery programs.
• CollingwoodToday.caminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal media partner supporting awareness around fundraising events and strengthening BDB's profile in the community through coverage.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• CNIB (Canadian National Institute for the Blind): National nonprofit delivering rehabilitation and independent living services for Canadians with vision loss. Comparable as a large disability-focused nonprofit offering independent living skills and peer support, though specialized to a single disability category.
• Independent Living Canada: National umbrella organization for Independent Living Centres across Canada, of which BDB is an accredited member. Comparable as the coordinating body for the same Independent Living Philosophy and accredited ILC network.
• Community Living Ontario: Provincial federation supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through community-based services and advocacy. Comparable as an Ontario-based nonprofit delivering independent living and community participation programs to persons with disabilities.
• Easter Seals Canada: National disability nonprofit providing accessibility programming, advocacy, and National AccessAbility Week coordination (BDB participates in EasterSeals' virtual conference). Comparable as a national disability services/advocacy organization with overlapping accessibility programming.
• March of Dimes Canada: National nonprofit providing programs and services for people with physical disabilities, including the Direct Funding program (which BDB also facilitates). Comparable as a larger-scale disability services nonprofit with overlapping program scope.
• Multiple Sclerosis Canada: National nonprofit providing information, support, and advocacy for Canadians affected by MS, including independent living and wellness programming. Comparable as a Canadian disease/disability nonprofit offering peer support and community-based services.

Regional players

• Disability Rights Ontario: Ontario-based legal aid clinic providing individual and systemic advocacy for persons with disabilities. Comparable as an Ontario disability-focused organization addressing accessibility, rights, and independent living supports.
• ARCH Disability Law Centre: Ontario-based specialty legal clinic providing legal services to persons with disabilities. Comparable as a regionally focused Ontario organization serving the same disability community with advocacy and resources.

Direct peers

• Spinal Cord Injury Canada: National nonprofit providing peer support, independent living resources, and advocacy for people with spinal cord injuries. Comparable as a Canadian disability organization with peer support and independent living program delivery models.
• Centre for Independent Living in Toronto (CILT): One of Canada's longest-running Independent Living Resource Centres, delivering attendant services, peer support, and independent living skills in Toronto. Directly comparable as an accredited ILC providing the same core service mix to persons with disabilities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks2 records

Key highlights3 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/bdbcollingwood
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCprzWY3BegiDDwSYlb1iNbQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/BDBCollingwood
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/breaking-down-barriers---independent-living-resource-centre
• Instagraminstagram.com/breakingdownbarriers

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Breaking Down Barriers