Nothing would make Ben Clement happier than returning to his previous routines.

The 26-year-old was born with a developmental disability and, as many young adults in similar circumstances do, he finds it hard to adapt to the new realities of social isolation and physical distancing in the midst of the COVID-19 spread.

“I miss pretty much the normal life, all the things we used to do with my friends,” Clement told the Star over the phone from his parents’ home in Toronto’s west end.

For the past 10 years, Clement has been a part of the Everyday Friends Social Network program, a grassroots initiative that brings together hundreds of young people, aged between 16 and 29, who have intellectual or developmental disabilities and autism. Through the program, these young adults are able to socialize, network, give and get support, and have fun.

Prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, the youth would organize weekly group events at the Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre near Bloor and Spadina, where they would spend hours interacting with each other and engaging in various activities such as karaoke, dances, animation, improv, song writing, basketball among others.

Clement said he was especially fond of cooking classes, and enjoyed going with his colleagues rock climbing, bowling, on trips to the aquarium, and to movie nights.

“Being out there with my friends is the best. It’s also great to volunteer,” he said about the time he has spent as a co-chair on the program’s youth committee.

Now that all of these activities cannot be carried out and the community centre where they used to meet has closed its doors, the Everyday Friends Social Network is struggling to keep the connection going among its participants. Instead of getting together and carrying out physical activities, the program has now shifted online and holds video discussions and participatory sessions whenever possible.

“People with developmental disabilities often feel isolated and excluded from the community and from social opportunities in general,” said Effie Biliris, the program’s peer support coordinator.

“They usually adapt on established routines, and now that those routines have been disrupted it becomes a challenge.”

Under the new programming format, the youth are able to participate in facilitated daily online chats on a given topic, as well as evening virtual programming on practical things such as painting, Pictionary and baking classes.

Organizers have also come up with a citizenship project, a weekly current events chat that helps young adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities to understand the current situation and ask questions about political and social issues.

In the coming weeks, the program plans to start an initiative called Disability on Film, a bi-weekly program where participants can watch films together online and learn about how disability has been depicted in film. They also plan to introduce dance parties and offer online classes on things such as becoming a DJ or a stand-up comedian.

Biliris, who herself has a developmental disability, said she’s “very grateful” for the opportunity to continue the connection through online platforms, and hopes her colleagues will continue to find joy in the virtual interactions.

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“I am a very social person and enjoy being around people, so this is tough,” she said. “We just have to do our part and remember that this will not last forever, and that we’ll be back to our routines sometime soon.”

Clement’s mother, Gill Lefkowitz, said her family started the Everyday Friends Social Network 10 years ago after she realized children and young adults with intellectual disabilities need social interactions that go beyond “simply socializing with their parents.”

“They are phenomenal young people who just need opportunities to be themselves and thrive,” said Lefkowitz, who noted the program’s goal was to try and remove barriers for participants and allow them to develop deep friendships.

During these days of COVID-19 pandemic, youth in the program are also able to take part other programs at the Miles Nadal JCC, including fitness and wellness programs which are streaming online. There’s also a plan to to have the young adults send Easter and Passover cards to lonely seniors all over the city so they can actively contribute to community at this time.