2025 marks our 50th Anniversary

Traverse Independence originally started as Participation House and was originally established in 1975. Our company was originally created to provide quality opportunities for persons with physical disabilities and we can’t believe it’s been 50 years.

A group of determined parents created Participation House Waterloo Region as a beacon of hope and independence for adults with disabilities. This initiative, launched in partnership with the Ontario Federation of Cerebral Palsy (OFCP) and the Ministry of Health, aimed to provide an independent living environment for the adult children of those parents, many of whom were living with Cerebral Palsy.

In 1977, the organization was officially incorporated as the Participation House Project Waterloo Region, with the first Board of Directors comprised of several of the founding parents. The early years were marked by the challenge of finding a building owner willing to accommodate 8-10 independent apartments. This search culminated in the establishment of the Highpoint building, one of Ontario's first supportive housing sites. Remarkably, some of the original clients and staff, (who were among the first attendant care workers in Ontario) still continue to be part of Traverse today!

The success of the initial program spurred the development of additional sites, including Union Lane and the ABI group home on Tagge Street. Over the years, Participation House evolved to adopt a more inclusive mandate, serving both adults with physical disabilities and those who have survived brain injuries. This evolution led to the development of comprehensive brain injury services, reflecting the organization's dedication to meeting the diverse needs of its community. Despite a rebranding in 2010 to become Traverse Independence, we remained steadfast in our commitment to the philosophy of independent living, expanding our programs and services across the Region of Waterloo and County of Wellington. Today, Traverse continues to be a pillar of support for the clients, honoring the legacy of those founding mothers, while adapting to the changing needs of the clients we serve.