The Ontario Disability Support Program: Exploring Lived Experiences for Policy Reform

Abstract

The Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) is a provincial social assistance program in Ontario that provides financial and social support to individuals experiencing (dis)Abilities. However, critiques highlight its limitations in financial security, autonomy and equity. This study asks: How does ODSP support individuals while also perpetuating ableist structures, and what policy changes are needed? Using semi-structured interviews with six current and recent ODSP recipients in Ontario, this qualitative study employs inductive thematic analysis to understand the lived experiences of the program. Findings show that ODSP governs access to survival through ongoing constraint, with participants describing insufficient benefits, administrative burden and the need for continuous advocacy. A Disability Justice framework centers recipients’ knowledge and highlights tensions between policy and lived experience, emphasizing principles of interdependence, collective access, and sustainability. By centering lived experience, this study highlights the need for structural policy change informed by ODSP recipients' priorities and recommendations.