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We've done our best to answer the most frequently asked questions, below, but if there's something that we have not addressed, please feel free to send us your question to information@abilityonline.org
Ability Online is a free and monitored online support community that links kids with disabilities or illness to other kids and adults who care. In a password-protected environment, we offer monitored topical discussion threads, email and chat facilities, and games and activities where kids can come together and just be kids. Then, when they are ready, health information, peer support, and opportunities for skill development are just a mouse click away.
Ability Online also offers private e-communities to off-line support groups which can benefit from the extended access of an online facility. This is particularly helpful for organizations whose outpatients are restricted by geographical barriers.
Ability Online is not a typical chat/messaging community!
Ability Online currently has over 3,300 active members, primarily from across Canada - however, some members from the US and other countries find us through web searches.
Our overall membership base is approximately 30,000, but some members only stay with us or are active for a short period of time for a variety of reasons. In the past fifteen years, we have had over 4 million logins to our system.
If you're looking for a comfortable place to hang out, make friends, and feel good about yourself then Ability Online is the place for you. On Ability Online, everyone looks the same - we're just friends meeting friends. If you need help with homework but don't want to ask - we can help you. If you are looking for a job and having a hard time - check out our job readiness feature.
If you are becoming an adult and wondering how to manage - we have the goods. Having personal relationship problems? You can write to Dear Darlene for a private perspective on your situation from someone who has been there. If you just want to communicate with others and be friendly - we have the spot for you. There are lots of other members who want to meet you and you will find many new friends here.
We understand that protecting your child is of the utmost importance, and would like to assure you that Ability Online provides a monitored , bully-free, happy environment for members. Members are screened prior to being given access the site, messages are public and monitored, and inappropriate behaviour and language are not tolerated. Any members that cannot adhere to the rules are first cautioned and the offending messages removed, and if the inappropriate behaviour persists the member loses access to our site. The site is protected by state of the art software and firewalls. We attempt to ensure that all members have a good, healthy, happy online experience in order to build their feeling of self worth and independence.
We also invite parents to register with us so that you can talk to other parents and caregivers that face similar challenges. Parents hang out in two of our online forums, "The Café" and "Parents' Place". We invite you to join us and see the benefits of an online support community for yourself.
Our online program reflects a holistic model for recovery, supporting development across five functional domains - physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and spiritual. The flexibility of our program allows it to be utilized by health care professionals as a tool for recovery and/or rehabilitation. We have program areas suitable for members who require high levels of intervention, and areas for those who are able to benefit form more independent usage. Please contact us to receive one of our "Information Guide for Community Partner" manuals to find out more about the therapeutic applications of Ability Online.
Currently we have over 15 hosts/hostesses who provide daily monitoring of the conference message areas and also provide chat session monitoring. These volunteers are long-time members of Ability Online and go through a special training program to develop the hosting skills required.
A conference/forum (we use the words interchangeably) is a spot where you can read messages posted by other members, and respond if you wish. The title of the forum helps organize the messages to make it easier for members to find the types of messages they are interested in. The beauty of the conferences is that you get to see all the messages, and can reply to any that interest you with just a click. Conferences form the core of the Ability Online environment, and provide an open invitation to start a conversation with a friend who shares your interests.
Yes, we need people to help mentor our members, to monitor/host conferences, to help with fundraising events, to spread the word about the benefits of Ability Online, and so much more! Check out our Volunteer section for more information or to fill out a Volunteer Application Form.
We are funded by corporate and individual donations. If you or your organization would like to help us out, we would be more than grateful. You can mail us a cheque, donate online through canadahelps.org, or call us to find out more. Click here to find out more about our current sponsors.
All Ability Online content is created by the members of the Ability Online. Any and all Ability Online content should not be substituted for professional advice. Though every effort has been taken to provide accurate, credible, and reliable information on our site, it is important to understand that all medical content is provided for discussion purposes only. Information, communications, and materials available on the Ability Online Site is not and should not be considered professional healthcare advice.
Nor should you assume that information on a particular topic is complete. While the content provided through the Ability Online Site is updated frequently, some information on the Ability Online site may be slightly out of date. You, therefore, should not substitute information contained on the Ability Online site for consultation with qualified health care professionals; nor should you rely solely on information contained on the Ability Online site in rendering a diagnosis or considering a course of treatment
No, we regret that we are unable to answer individual questions about your child.
We regret that we are unable to provide funding in any way, shape or form to individuals or organizations.
When you complete your online membership form , we will check your information to ensure it is complete and then mail you an "activation code" via Canada Post. When you receive the activation code, login again using your normal login and enter your activation code , then you will be able to see all the age-appropriate messages areas and read and write messages to other members.
This is where we collect the information we need to register you as a member of Ability Online.
User Name: This is the name you will use to login to our system. It should be your first name and a space and your last name. If someone else has already registered using these names, then you should look at adding a middle initial or middle name. Please don't use periods with any initials.
Password: This can be any combination of letters and/or numbers that is at least 8 characters long (remember no spaces are allowed, none of the characters can be spaces). Try to think of a word that is easy for YOU to remember and will not be guessed by any of your friends. It is not a good idea to use your name or address as a password. DO NOT TELL ANYONE your password. If you forget it, a new one can be issued by the System Manager. To get a password first you click on the "Forgot my Password" line on the first page of the website. The System Manager will contact you using the information you gave in the forgot password procedure, and create a new password for you.
Birthday: We use this information to decide which age-specific conferences you should have access to. Also we like to remember your birthday by sending you greetings on that special day.
Address1: This is the postal address (street and apartment number) of your home. We use this to mail you the Special ACTIVATION CODE that allows you to write messages and enjoy the benefits of Ability Online. If the address is incorrect, you won't receive the special ACTIVATION CODE and you will miss the fun of our fellowship.
How you found us: This is optional, but telling us how you heard about us is important in helping us reach more people who can benefit from our services. Just click on the little down arrow at the right side of the box and click on the appropriate reason.
Ability Online caters to those who are 11 to 24 years old, along with their parents and care givers. However, anyone is free to join - we understand that sometimes support comes from all ages and stages!
Normally you should not give out this type of information on line, BUT this information helps us carry out a key part of our safety and security procedure (verifying member identity prior to issuing an activation code). We promise to keep this information confidential and protected , and if you have any concerns about this, please call our office at 416-650-6207.
We send every newly registered member a unique and secret code to their home address. When you receive your activation code, simply return to our site, login, and enter your code, and we will activate your membership. The combination of a verified identity, accurate home address, and activation code provides additional protection for our members. Simple, but it works.
Login as usual (remember your login is usually your first name and a space and your last name). Once you are logged in, a big red A appears in the centre of the window that appears, and you need to click on this red A. A new window will open up, and there will be a spot for your activation code (normally 8 to 11 characters). Once you have entered your activation code you will be able to view all the conferences open to you.
Every time you login, you need your login ID (usually just your first and last name) and a password (one that you have created). The activation code is a special code used only ONCE to validate your registration. Once it is entered you need never use it again.
By requiring all site visitors who register to agree to our Terms and Conditions we can better assure the quality and delivery of the service we provide to you, our members.
We want Ability Online to be a good experience for all members, so simply stated the golden rule is BE NICE ONLINE. If you don't follow this rule or violate any of the more detailed restrictions you will be cautioned and may lose access for varying periods of time depending on the severity and frequency of the violation.
Ability Online respects your privacy and understands your concerns. We explain what kinds of personal information we ask for and how we use it. We recommend that you read our privacy policy . Because of the private nature of the information being posted on our site, Ability Online is committed to rigorous privacy practices which are in accordance to the Canadian Federal legislation called the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) . We will never disclose personally identifiable information. We want you to feel secure while you share personal information. Questions regarding this statement should be directed to system.manager@abilityonline.org .
We restrict access to personal information to select Ability Online employees who are obligated to keep this information totally confidential.
The database which stores personal information is on a private network, and is not directly accessible via the Internet. We use passwords, firewalls, and proxy servers to prevent unauthorized access to such information. Any printed material containing confidential information is shredded before disposal.
We recommend that you do not share your password with anyone or use the automatic login feature on a publicly available computer. Ability Online will never ask you for your password in an unsolicited phone call or in an unsolicited email. If you are using a computer that others have access to, such as one at a computer lab, school, or public library, do not use the automatic login feature. Always remember to sign out and close your web browser window when leaving our site.
No, we do not divulge or sell your confidential information to others. We only use your personal email to notify you of errors or registration problems and if you permit us, we can notify you of upcoming events. Also, we have several spam guards in place to prevent spam from reaching your ability online email.
We recognize that control of your personal information is important to you. If you are registered and have concerns about the personal information you've submitted to Ability Online, or if you want to deactivate, correct, update, or confirm your information, please contact the System Manager at system.manager@abilityonline.org .
Renewals are done annually. This gives you a chance to correct your address and phone numbers if they have changed and you have not already notified the System Manager.
Click on the word "help" in the login box and give us enough information to contact you so we can help you either over the phone or by email. Otherwise, during office hours you may contact us at 1-866-650-6207 toll-free or 416-650-6207 if you live in the Toronto Area.
Please contact our System Manager at system.manager@abilityonline.org or phone 1-866-650-6207 regarding technical difficulties with Abilityonline.org.
Once your username is registered, it cannot be changed by you. If you feel you cannot participate on the website with your current username, you will need to contact the System Manager (we do not allow multiple registrations for a member).
Yes! By all means - we are happy to have you spread the word.
