On September 29, 1948 the Toronto Star published a letter from Mrs. Victoria Glover, the grandmother of an 8 year-old orphaned boy who had an intellectual disability. The letter contained a strong plea for an alternate solution to institutionalization for persons who had an intellectual disability through the provision of schooling and a more normal way of life in their own homes and communities. The letter provoked a strong response from several people, one of whom was Wesley A. Stitt. He contacted Mrs. Glover and subsequently wrote another letter to the Star inviting those interested to a meeting to discuss their concerns on November 4, 1948 at Carleton St. United Church. The "Parents Council for Retarded Children" was born that night when over 70 people responded to Mr. Stitt's invitation. Mr. Stitt became the first President of the Association, which was incorporated as a charity in 1951.
TACL has continued to be an important member of the Toronto community. A founding member of the United Way of Greater Toronto, and the Ontario and Canadian Associations for Community Living, TACL: