$74,500 OTF Grant from the Province Has Served Up an Ace for Change Through Sport

September 14, 2025

Making blind tennis accessible, building a more inclusive and active Ontario for people of all abilities

MPP Cho, Ontario’s Minister for Seniors and Accessibility, pictured with Change Through Sport (CTS)’s Blind Tennis Module organizers and volunteers at Iroquois Tennis Club in Scarborough. (September 14, 2025)

SCARBOROUGH, ON — On Sunday, September 14, MPP Raymond Cho, who also serves as Ontario’s Minister for Seniors and Accessibility, had the chance to meet with representatives from the non-profit group Change Through Sport (CTS) to learn more about the long-term impact that a $74,500 Seed grant from the provincial government’s Ontario Trillium Foundation has had over the year. The grant, awarded last fall, has supported the group’s work to develop a Blind Tennis Module that’s focused on the growth and increased access of physical activities through the adapted sport of blind tennis for Torontonians.

“I’m proud to see how OTF’s Seed program is helping to break down barriers and promote inclusion through sport in Scarborough and across Ontario,” said Hon. Raymond Cho, MPP for Scarborough North and Ontario’s Minister for Seniors and Accessibility. “Change Through Sport’s innovative work in making blind tennis accessible is not only expanding opportunities for physical activity for people with visual impairments, but also strengthening community connections and fostering a sense of belonging. This is a wonderful example of how we are building a more inclusive and active Ontario for people of all abilities.”

OTF’s Seed grant program has been designed to help organizations move forward and implement new initiatives. Over the last year, CTS has been working to create and deploy a train the trainer pilot program that’s going to make blind tennis opportunities more available in several communities in the city. Some of the funds will be used for creating the module, which will become a resource to support increased access points to the sport of blind tennis and wellbeing benefits for its participants. The grant has also helped with staffing, purchasing equipment and some administrative costs as well.

“The support from OTF will have a long-lasting impact,” said Jessica Poon, Chairperson of the Board of Directors, CTS. “The funds will support the development of a critical resource which may be used and reused time and time again to grow the sport. This endeavour will increase access to physical activities for and with the visually impaired individuals and their communities across the Greater Toronto Area.”

Change Through Sport is a sport for development organization that utilizes sport as a vehicle to increase socio-economic outcomes for its participants. Visit www.changethroughsportcanada.com to find out more about its programs and services.

The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Ontario government with a mission to build healthy and vibrant communities across the province. Last year, OTF invested nearly $105M into 732 community projects and multi-sector partnerships. Projects aim to enhance economic well-being, foster more active lifestyles, support child and youth development, provide spaces for people to come together and connect, and create a more sustainable environment. Visit otf.ca to learn more.