Whimble launches on-demand disability care platform in Toronto

Whimble has announced the expansion of its on-demand disability support services to Toronto, providing personalised assistance to individuals with disabilities and their caregivers in Canada's largest city.

The Ottawa-based caretech platform, founded by Emma Brown, has recorded more than 10,000 hours of support since its initial launch in 2023. The service allows people with disabilities and caregivers to connect on demand, addressing situations where immediate or short-term care needs arise and traditional home care agencies or family members are unavailable.

Service expansion

With the rollout to Toronto, Whimble aims to address the growing demand for flexible support among people with disabilities. The expansion comes at a time when demographic trends indicate increasing need. It is estimated that by 2036, one in five people in Ontario will have a disability, representing a 40% increase over today's figures.

Emma Brown established Whimble drawing upon her own family's experiences navigating Ontario's care system. She said, "Whimble was created to fill a critical gap in Canada's care ecosystems around the lack of reliable, on-demand personal care for individuals with urgent or short-term care needs. We're ready and excited to bring Whimble to Toronto, a major Canadian market that deserves more flexible care options, with the intent to continue expanding across North America in the future."

In Toronto, Whimble's services will initially be available to those living south of the 401 from the Don Valley Parkway and the 407. Prospective clients can access Whimble's platform and begin the onboarding process online, which involves completing an intake form and receiving an in-person home visit to assess care requirements and match them with a suitable personal care attendant.

How the service works

Whimble's platform matches clients with qualified and vetted caregivers, providing on-demand, personalised care in a variety of situations. Caregivers on the platform undergo thorough background checks and training to ensure they are equipped to meet specific care needs. Once care is provided, both clients and attendants offer feedback to Whimble to support quality assurance and satisfaction.

Emma Brown's direct experiences fuelled her motivation to reimagine care delivery and improve inclusion and autonomy for people with disabilities. She previously described her approach as an effort to "break down barriers to independence and inclusion by reimagining how care is delivered."

Reaction from the community

"I first used Whimble while travelling - it gave me peace of mind knowing I could access support while enjoying a weekend away with friends. Having this platform finally available in my home city of Toronto is incredibly exciting, it means greater independence, flexibility, and the freedom to participate fully in my community without worrying about last-minute care needs," says Andrew Gurza, Disability Awareness Consultant and Whimble client.

Since its inception in Ottawa, Whimble has gained attention from individuals and organisations seeking to improve accessibility and reduce gaps in urgent support provision. The platform also offers services to support access and inclusion at events, with personal care attendants available for both individual and group situations.

Caregiver opportunities

Whimble is inviting personal care attendants in the Greater Toronto Area to join its platform. Applicants are required to complete Whimble's verification processes, including background checks and targeted training, to ensure support meets the expected standards for clients with a variety of needs.

With Ontario's demographic shift towards an ageing and more diverse population, demand for flexible care options is expected to grow further. Whimble's expansion into Toronto signals an attempt to provide additional support to fill these gaps for people who may not have ready access to traditional providers or informal networks.

Plans for the future may see Whimble pursuing further service growth beyond Toronto, as the company continues to adapt to evolving needs across North America.