In Quebec, people living with a disability — physical, intellectual, sensory, or acquired following an accident or illness — have the legal right to receive support for living at home with dignity and independence.
This right is enshrined in several Quebec laws and policies, including the Act to secure handicapped persons in the exercise of their rights with a view to achieving social, school and workplace integration.
Yet many people with disabilities and their families do not know the full range of services and programs available to them. This article gives you a comprehensive overview.
Fundamental Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Quebec
The Right to Autonomy and Self-Determination
A person with a disability has the right to make their own decisions about their life, their care, and where they live. The goal of home care services is not to take over, but to enable this autonomy.
The Right to Social Integration
The Quebec policy À part entière aims for full social participation of persons with disabilities. This includes their right to live in their community with the necessary support.
The Right to Adapted Services
Health and social services must be accessible and adapted to the needs of persons with disabilities, without discrimination.
Home Support Programs for Persons with Disabilities
1. The SAPA Program — Disability Component
The Soutien à l’autonomie des personnes âgées program also includes a component for people with disabilities of any age whose autonomy is reduced. After assessment by the CISSS, free home care hours may be allocated.
2. Direct Allocation — Chèque emploi-service
This program allows the person with a disability or their legal representative to receive a financial allowance to hire their own home care provider — such as Alliance Santé. This formula offers greater flexibility in choosing workers and scheduling.
3. Home Adaptation Program (PAD)
This program from the Société d’habitation du Québec (SHQ) offers financial assistance for home adaptation work for a person with a disability: access ramp, doorway widening, grab bar installation, accessible bathroom, stairlift, etc. The maximum assistance amount is $16,000 (with potential increases in certain cases).
4. Assistive Devices Program (RAMQ)
The Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec covers or subsidizes certain assistive devices for persons with disabilities: wheelchairs, prostheses, orthoses, communication aids, hearing aids. A physician must prescribe these devices.
5. Disability Tax Credit (DTC)
People with a severe and prolonged impairment may benefit from the disability tax credit, which can represent significant savings on their tax return.
6. Community Organizations
Several organizations offer specific services to persons with disabilities: adapted transportation, accessible recreation, support groups, rights advocacy. The Office des personnes handicapées du Québec (OPHQ) maintains a comprehensive directory of these resources.
Services Alliance Santé Offers to Persons with Disabilities
We support people living with various types of disabilities — physical (paralysis, amputation, multiple sclerosis), intellectual, sensory, or resulting from strokes, traumatic brain injuries, or neuromuscular diseases.
Our services include:
Personal care assistance: bathing, dressing, oral hygiene, skin care
Mobility assistance: transfers, wheelchair use, indoor mobility
Adapted meal preparation tailored to nutritional needs and physical abilities
Communication support for people with speech difficulties
Accompaniment to outings, medical appointments, and recreational activities
Support for family caregivers: respite, training in transfer and care techniques
Cognitive stimulation and adapted activities
How to Assert Your Rights
If you have difficulty accessing the services you are entitled to, here are your options:
Contact the OPHQ: The Office des personnes handicapées du Québec can inform you of your rights and help with your steps
Request a review of the CISSS decision if services were refused or insufficient
Consult a social worker at the CLSC who can help navigate the system
Contact Juripop or another legal aid service if you believe your rights have not been respected
Conclusion
Living with a disability in Quebec means having the right to support for a full and independent life at home. The programs exist — you just need to know about them.
Alliance Santé can help you navigate these resources and set up the services that fit your situation. Contact us for a free assessment and discover how we can support you in your daily life.
*Alliance Santé — Home Support Services | alliancesante.ca | Saint-Hyacinthe, Montérégie*
Alliance Santé — alliancesante.ca — Saint-Hyacinthe, Montérégie