2026 COMMUNITY BRAIN INJURY ASSOCIATION OF THE YEAR NOMINEE

Brain Injury Association of Durham Region

Nominated For: COMMUNITY BRAIN INJURY ASSOCIATION OF THE YEAR

The Brain Injury Association of Durham Region (BIAD) is a registered, not-for-profit organization, dedicated to providing non-medical resources, outreach support, and recreational programs. Our core mission is to empower survivors and their caregivers, ensuring a dignified life and that no one impacted by a brain injury is left unsupported.

Founded in 1982 by family members of brain injury survivors, BIAD has grown into a vital community partner offering a variety of free essential services:

Adult Day Program: Cognitive-based programming, life skills training, and creative activities like art and music.

Peer Support: Connecting individuals with lived-experience volunteers for guidance and emotional support through small group discussions as well as involvement in OBIA’s Peer Support Program.

Independent Living & Outreach: Dedicated services aimed at helping survivors with integration back into the community and can take the form of advocacy, food security, maintaining housing, navigation and linkage to community services, as well as support in developing and relearning skills to empower and support each individual to live their most independent life.

Our focus is on our clients and members as we see the invisible battles and incredible courage of the survivors who walk through our doors every day. We witness the strength it takes to navigate life after a brain injury, and we celebrate every step forward, no matter how small.

We continue to enhance our presence in the Durham region by increasing awareness of brain injury and providing education that includes strategies on how to support survivors and caregivers.

We have hosted a variety of in-person events and special programs throughout the year, including Community Connection days for clients to meet other service providers and gain an understanding of what is available to them in their community, Helping the Helpers: A cross sectoral workshop on Recognizing and Responding to Brain Injury from Intimate Partner Violence (IPV-BI) and our annual Unmasking Brain Injury event in June where we celebrate our clients and their recovery journey.

We are actively building new partnerships in our community attending Hubs throughout our region in Ajax, Oshawa, Beaverton, Cannington and Bowmanville to provide immediate in-person support. We also host organizations at BIAD to provide on-site support to our clients including, CMHA, Pinewood and the Hart Hub.

Brain injury awareness is about more than raising funds or supporting a charity. It is about education, understanding, and compassion. It is about helping our communities recognize that not every injury is visible and that the effects of a brain injury can impact every aspect of a person’s life. By increasing awareness, we can create more inclusive, patient, and supportive communities where individuals living with brain injury feel understood, respected, and empowered as they adjust to life after injury.

To learn more about BIAD and the programs and services offered, please visit www.biad.ca and follow us on Instagram @braininjurydurham_biad and Facebook @braininjassoc