Unifor Social Justice Fund Helps Geneva Centre for Autism Break Down Barriers to Care

Navjeet Sidhu, Director of the Unifor Social Justice Fund at the tour of the Geneva Centre for Autism, along with the Geneva Centre Foundation & Programs & Services team. 

Many families encounter practical barriers that make accessing autism services more difficult than it should be. 

At Geneva Centre for Autism, two challenges consistently prevent families from accessing critical autism programs: transportation and translation. These supports are expensive, rarely covered by government funding, and far beyond what many families can afford out of pocket. 

We regularly see that: 

• Many newcomer families move to Canada seeking stronger autism services, but face language barriers that limit their ability to access care. 
• Families accepted into funded programs sometimes decline registration because they cannot reliably get their child to and from the Centre. 

The Barrier-Free Service Project – Turning Barriers into Opportunity and Access 

Geneva Centre’s Barrier-Free Service Project was created in response to these urgent needs. The initiative funds transportation and translation supports and makes them available across all programs and age groups. This includes translated documents and onsite interpreters so families can fully understand recommendations, participate actively, and make informed decisions about their child’s care.

A Partnership Rooted in Experience 

This work was strengthened through a meaningful partnership with Unifor. The relationship began when a former Unifor representative connected with Geneva Centre while seeking coaching and employment-related support for their son. That collaboration led to onsite coaching at Unifor, supporting the same son in a familiar workplace setting. 

From that experience grew a broader conversation about the barriers other families face and how they could be addressed in a lasting way. 

Over the past three years, the Unifor Social Justice Fund has contributed $90,000 toward translation and transportation services, helping ensure that language and financial circumstances do not stand in the way of care. 

As Unifor shared, “Equity is not just about opportunity, it is about access. When families are ready to seek support, the system must be ready for them. We are proud to stand with Geneva Centre to remove the barriers that prevent children and parents from receiving the services they deserve.” 

Get Involved 

Geneva Centre for Autism remains committed to practical solutions that expand access and strengthen families. 

To learn more about the Barrier-Free Service Project or to support similar initiatives that remove barriers to care, we invite you to reach out to our team. Together, we can ensure more families receive the services they need when they need them. 

Reach Out Now