History

The Mackay Rehabilitation Centre has gone through many changes over the years before becoming part of the Physical Rehabilitation network as we know it today. Mackay's history goes back to 1869 when the Mackay Institution for Protestant Deaf Mutes was founded. Almost half a century later, in 1916, the School for Crippled Children was created. Both of these institutions were started for very specific reasons and were among the first of their kind in Canada.

In December 1960, with the passing of the Bill 182, these establishments were amalgamated and became known as Mackay Center for Deaf and Crippled Children which comprised a school aged population that was either deaf or hard of hearing, or presenting with a motor impairment. Teachers were at that time employed by the Center while the professionals were provided by the Montreal Children's Hospital.
It was in 1965 that the establishment moved to its current facility at 3500 Décarie Blvd, offering a private day and residential school as well as a residence.

During the following decade, many political and social changes took place. The government's philosophy promoted social and school integration and normalization of the handicapped person. As a result, social policies such as the progressive deinstitutionalization of handicapped people were developed. In 1971 , the Ministry of Health and Social Services created new categories of establishments such as CLSCs, Centres d'accueil and Rehabilitation Centers to support this process.
In 1974, under the terms of Bill 65 (Chapter 41), the responsibility of educating handicapped students was transferred to the Ministry of Education. Educational services were therefore contracted to the protestant school board of Greater Montréal. The provision of the rehabilitation and residential services became the responsibility of the Centre d'accueil Mackay for the physically handicapped. Social services were thus contracted to the Ville Marie Social Services.
The Centre was classified as Private under Agreement reception. The Ministry of Health and Social Services provides to this day, 80% of the operating cost of the Centre. The remaining 20% is raised through private donations.

The Centre was classified as Private under Agreement reception. The Ministry of Health and Social Services provides to this day, 80% of the operating cost of the Centre. The remaining 20% is raised through private donations.

In line with the government's orientations, the Centre started to integrate its students presenting with physical disabilities into regular school settings whenever possible while organizing the appropriate support. The Reverse Integration Program at Mackay Center School was created for those who needed to remain in house for a longer period.
In 1982, the name of the Mackay Center for Deaf and Crippled Children was changed to Centre Mackay - Mackay Center and although the school program was less populated, new clienteles were introduced to the Centre given its rehabilitation mandate. The Ministry of Health and Social Services confirms to Mackay Centre its rehabilitation vocation which led to the development of new programs for infants presenting with motor disabilities, for deaf adults (1989), for children presenting with developmental delays (1997), for children diagnosed with speech and language disorders (late 1990~), for the deaf-blind needing a specialized approach to meet their needs (2005)…
In 1997, the residence was closed which marked the end of an era.
In 2004, the Centre underwent its last change of name in order to reflect its true mission by becoming officially the Mackay Rehabilitation Centre. The Centre continues to address the needs of children requiring high frequency intervention during their school years through its Rehab Program in Specialized Schools offered at Mackay Center School but now has four other programs dedicated to meet the rehabilitation and social integration needs of our clients through all stages of life, regardless of the handicapping situation they are face with.