Citizens With Disabilities –
CWDO Board Members
LAURIE ALPHONSE - Ottawa, Ontario
Interests and background to follow.
ERICA CARSON - Ottawa, Ontario
Interests: Accessibility, arts
and culture, disability pride, employment,
transportation
Background: Erica is a Carleton
University student in the Bachelor of Arts Honours
program in Women and Gender studies. She is a woman
living with a physical disability who learned early on
the importance of self-advocacy in order to be able to
attain goals both in pursuit of an education, and as a
member of the workforce. During her first two years at
Carleton she has found her passion within the field of
disability studies and intends on doing her Masters
Degree in Disability Studies. Erica believes that she
can bring a passion and unique vision to Citizens with
Disabilities - Ontario. She appreciates that she will
gain a tremendous amount of knowledge about issues and
challenges that many other people with disabilities live
with in order to work towards breaking down barriers
around mobility issues for this population.
CINDY GORLEWSKI - Greater Toronto Area (GTA)
Interests: mobility issues
Background: Cindy has a BA-BPHE from Queens, a B.Ed. from
U of Toronto and an MBA from the University of Western
Ontario. She represented Canada at the International
Olympic Academy in 1983. Cindy worked in amateur sport
and was a flight attendant for Air Canada, before
finally settling down to teach French with the York
District Catholic School Board. While teaching, Cindy
worked with special needs children and with those
children requiring individual education plans. Cindy is
presently on leave, using her experience with limited
mobility to be active in advocating for accessibility.
She has chaired the Newmarket Accessibility Advisory
Committee (AAC) since 2003, she sits on the York
Regional AAC and facilitates workshops to educate others
about accessibility awareness. Cindy also sits on the
Newmarket Heritage Committee.
WILLIAM GOURSKY - Region of Peel - GTA, Ontario
Interests: Arts and Culture;
Accessibility; Housing
Background: William has had a
long and varied career working with community committees
and organizations both as participant and as chair. He
has been advocating for the full community participation
of all residents regardless of what type of disability
they may have. He has currently been involved in
developing along with Region of Peel staff, Universal
Accessibility Standards for all future affordable
housing that the Region will be building. In addition,
he is involved in promoting Spinal Cord Injury with his
working on the committee of Rick Hansen's Wheels in
Motion event in Brampton. In his role as Chair of the
Accessibility Advisory Committee of the Region of Peel,
William is involved in assisting in the setting up of
staff training programs regarding the Provincial
Standards as they are being approved. William is also a
member of the Community Investment Cabinet for the
United Way of Peel.
As a board member he would like to see the CWDO continue
in its strong advocacy role and would be able to use his
lengthy experience as the Executive Director of the
Etobicoke Social Planning to assist.
William was awarded the Canada 185 medal as well as the
Queen's Golden Jubilee medal for his work in the
community.
MELISSA GRAHAM - London, Ontario (on leave of absence)
Interests: mobility issues, mental health, accessible
housing, affordable housing, recreation, young adults
with a disability
Background: As a person with a disability, fighting for
awareness and access has continually been a part of
Melissa's life. Her particular interest lies with youth
and young adults with disabilities, and their struggles
to find a voice in an environment that's still adapting
to them. As a recent social work graduate, Melissa finds
herself advocating for this voice in her field and
volunteer experiences. "The really lucky people don't
always have the best of everything. They are the ones
who make the most of whatever life throws them." ~
Anonymous
TERRANCE J. GREEN - Ottawa, Ontario
Interests: strategic planning, education, housing,
recreation, transportation
Background: Terrance has advocated for over four
decades, with advocacy groups, and on his own, to
enhance and protect the rights of people with
disabilities. Starting in Nova Scotia with the Canadian
Council of the Blind, and a newspaper called Touchstone,
uncovering and removing barriers. Employed with
Transport Canada, he received an award of excellence for
his work in equity in human resources planning.
1992, in Ottawa, most of his activities were issue
driven; i.e., municipal and Provincial elections,
transportation, education, and audible pedestrian
signals.
In 2001, as a lawyer, his areas of interest became
access to justice, transportation, education, and
community or social participation.
SARA JARVIS – Ottawa, Ontario
Interests: Arts and Culture; Accessibility;
Employment; ODSP/Income Security; Transportation
Background: Sara has a very
eclectic background and has worn several different
hats in her professional career, which was mostly in the
non-profit sector. Since establishing her business as a full-time Glass Artist, she has used
every skill she learned throughout her career and has
learned new ones to support her new role of creative
entrepreneur and arts advocate. As a personable
person, Jarvis has excellent communication skills and
she embraces most situations with a sense of confidence.
She is passionate about making things better for people
with disabilities and is keenly aware of the stresses in
life coupled with negative public perception that
intertwines the daily struggle of persons with
disabilities contending with ODSP.
CHRISTINE KELLY - Ottawa, Ontario
Interests: mobility issues, mental
health, attendant services
Background: Christine Kelly is a PhD
student in Canadian Studies at Carleton University where
her research examines the complex relationships that
form between people with disabilities and their support
providers. Christine has an MA in Disability Studies
from the University of Manitoba and she continues to be
actively involved in the field of disability studies. In
the past, Christine has worked as a research assistant
on the large scale research project “Disability and
Information Technologies” (Dis-IT) as well as for the
Canadian Mental Health Association, Manitoba Division.
In her spare time, Christine volunteers as a sports
attendant for National Boccia team organized through the
Canadian Cerebral Palsy Association.
DONNA J. JODHAN - Ontario
Interests: Arts and
recreation, education, employment and human rights
Background: Donna is a graduate of
McGill University of Montreal; with a Master’s in
Business Administration majoring in International
Business and a Diploma in Management and has other
degrees and certifications including French translator.
Donna is an author and has worked in the IT profession
for companies such as Royal Bank of Canada, IBM Canada,
and the Bank of Montreal. For the past 15 years, she has
been an entrepreneur and is the President of Sterling
Creations. Donna is passionate about advocacy and cares
deeply about the future of kids with special needs,
especially those who are blind and visually impaired.
For the past nine years, she has been heavily involved
in human rights complaints and charter challenges
regarding equal access to websites and information on
the Internet. Donna is the second vice president of the
Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians and an
executive on the board of the United States Blind Chess
Association.
BARBARA LOO - Toronto, Ontario
Interests: Employment
Background: Barbara holds an MBA in
Finance and Accounting. She has held numerous positions
at various financial institutions and has organized
events ranging from fundraising, food drives, employee
recognition programs, to inviting key note speakers on
issues on employment. Barbara believes people with
disabilities should be entitled to equitable employment.
She also believes they should be given the same rights
and opportunities as everybody else - a right to belong
and participate fully in our society; a right to dignity
and respect in the workplace and beyond; the freedom to
make of our lives what we wish. Barbara also advocates
the recognition of people with disabilities for their
contributions to our society.
STEFANIE MARINICH-LEE - Toronto, Ontario
Interests: strategic planning, human
rights, employment, mobility issues and all issues of
concern to CWDO
Background: Stefanie has dedicated both her professional
career and volunteer associations toward the advancement
of services and rights for people with disabilities.
Prior to entering law school, Stefanie had a career in
the financial industry where she held a variety of
managerial positions. While there, she contributed to
many panels and delivered workshops on the inclusion of
people with disabilities.
While attending Osgoode Hall Law School, Stefanie was
accepted into the poverty law program and worked at the
Parkdale Community Legal Clinic in the Family Law
division. Stefanie completed her articles of clerkship
at ARCH: Disability Law Clinic focusing on disability
litigation. Once called, Stefanie was a Policy Advisor
at the Accessibility Directorate of Ontario where she
was the sole advisor for the Minister's Accessibility
Advisory Council of Ontario.
Stefanie then had a sole practice for a number of years,
then moved into the role of Employment Equity Consultant
and now as a Disability Co-ordinator at a University.
Stefanie's volunteer activities have spanned from
working overseas with abused and abandoned children in
Grenada, to numerous Treasurer and Director positions on
various non-profit boards.
Currently, Stefanie is the Co-chair and a founding
member of CWDO. She serves on CCD's Human Rights
Committee and sits on the Law Society of Upper Canada's
Disability Working Group. Stefanie has also been
appointed to the Employment Standards Committee for the
AODA.
ANN MARTINDALE - Toronto, Ontario
Interests: Aging with a disability;
Arts and Culture; Assistive devices; Attendant services;
Accessibility; Education; Employment; Housing;
ODSP/Income Security; Transportation
Background: Ann is 47 years old and was
born in Toronto. She was diagnosed with Epilepsy at the
age of 29, and with Osteoarthritis in her mid-thirties.
Ann has served as Epilepsy Toronto's representative on
the Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) of the
Toronto District School Board. She is a member of the
Arthritis Society's Canadian Arthritis Patients Alliance
(CAPA), and the AODA Alliance. Ann has previously served
on the Board of Directors of Epilepsy York Region for a
period of 4 years ending in April of 1999. Ann is
currently serving as Epilepsy Ontario's representative
on the Board of Directors of the ARCH Disability Law
Centre. She is a certified Health Care Aide, but due to
the physical limitations imposed by severe
Osteoarthritis, she is no longer able to work in that
field.
TERRIE MEEHAN - Ottawa, Ontario
Interests: mobility issues, accessible housing,
affordable housing
Background: Terrie is a mother of three and has a long
history of social activism. She has a strong interest in
disability, anti-poverty and anti-homelessness activism
and strives to work on lessening the injustices she sees
in all three areas. As a person with "ability
challenges," Terrie sees barriers as things to erode.
Terrie prefers working on solutions.
DOUG MILLMAN - Huntsville, Ontario
Interests: hearing, mental health, learning
disabilities, education, built environment, recreation,
creative arts
Background: Doug is a retired engineering technologist
with 35 years experience in reviewing both the public
and the private built environment. He is using his
background as a voting member of the AODA Committee for
the Built Environment. Also at the present time, Doug is
a Director of CWDO; with responsibilities including
Vice-Chair, and Chair of both the Mental Health and
Recreation Committees.
He independently performed the Site Plan Review for the
Huntsville Accessibility Advisory Committee. Previous
Board positions have included a nursing home and a
not-for-profit daycare centre, which is unique in the
area as admitting all disabled children.
MELANIE MOORE - Toronto, Ontario
Interests and background to follow.
TRACY ODELL - Toronto (Scarborough), Ontario
Interests: mobility issues and all other disability
issues to some extent, including learning disabilities,
developmental disabilities, and attention deficit
disorders with and without hyperactivity (ADD and ADHD)
Background: Tracy Odell is a life-long advocate for
independent living and the right of people with
disabilities to live in the community. Tracy has
assisted in founding numerous supportive housing
programs with attendant services, is credited with the
establishment of "Nurturing Assistance," has published
articles and appeared in videos to raise awareness of
issues relating to disability.
She is currently a board member and member of the
Executive of CWDO. Tracy has a Masters degree in
Critical Disability Studies, and a B.A and B.Ed. in
English and Special Education. Working full time and
self-managing her attendant services, Tracy lives with
her husband, two daughters, granddaughter and assorted
pets in Scarborough.
SANDRA SALAMON - Thunder Bay, Ontario
Interests: mobility issues, inclusion
Background: Sandra has learned that you don't get things
for free in life, you have to fight for them. Because
she has a disability, she has to fight harder.
Sandra believes it is much easier to fight for your
rights when you are in a group. She has worked along
with many groups which fight for the rights of persons
of disability and strive to make all of our lives
better. She is involved with groups such as Persons
United for Self Help, Northwestern Ontario; Handicapped
Action Group in Thunder Bay; the Canadian Paraplegic
Association; DisAbled Women's Network; and the National
Educational Association of Disabled Students. One of the
main themes in each of these organizations is that it is
always better to have the support of a group of people
than to try and do something alone.
PAT SEED - Thunder Bay, Ontario
Interests: strategic planning, technology, marketing,
information technology and communications, aging and
disability, attendant service quality committee, built
environment, education, employment, fundraising,
housing, mental health, recreation, and transportation
Background: Pat holds her B.A. in Speech Communications.
She has taught and continues to teach Speaking with
Confidence and Public Speaking to Broadcasters and other
Professionals. She is also a professional Public and
Motivational Speaker, as well as a Writer.
Pat is totally blind from birth. She originally used a
white cane for mobility, but has been travelling with
Guide Dogs at her side since November of 1996.
Pat has worked for Bell Canada and Confederation
College. She also was employed as the Information and
Referral Coordinator of the Thunder Bay Independent
Living Resource Centre for seven and a half years.
Pat began her Professional volunteering career for
non-profit organizations, her Parish church, and other
organizations in 1980. She still volunteers today and is
now a Consultant and Resource person in many areas for
many organizations.
Pat is currently the Senior Technical Support and
Resource Person for IDEAL Registered Online
Conferencing, A member of the Steering and Logistics
Committees for the Thunder Bay Leadership Forum 2007, a
member of the Business Women's Network of Thunder Bay,
as well as many other organizations. "If you think you
can, you might; if you Know and Believe you can, you
Will!" © May 2004 by Pat Seed
CHRISTY SMITH-WORTHYLAKE - Ottawa, Ontario
Interests and background to follow.
JEFFREY STARK - Kanata, Ontario
Interests: IT,
assistive/adaptive technology and accessibility
Background: For the last 20
years, technology has been Jeffrey’s focus both
professionally and personally. Professionally, Jeffrey
is widely respected as an expert in his field of
interest and has been a guiding voice in a number of
accessibility initiatives in Canada. He has provided
training for developers, publishers, technicians and a
wide variety of other audiences across Canada on topics
such as accessible application design, web accessibility
and adaptive computer technology. Jeffrey manages a
program which continues to be a driving force in the
fields of accessibility and adaptive computer technology
and has been internationally recognized for the unique
services provided to persons with disabilities, injuries
and ergonomic requirements.
In his personal life, Jeffrey has been advocating for
accessibility and inclusion within Canada. Jeffrey
strongly believes in the need for institutionalization
of accessibility requirements into all areas with an IT
component. There are internationally recognized
standards that developers need to follow in order for a
system to be accessible. This is a little like the
accessibility standards in the build environment (i.e.
doorways have to be a certain width to accommodate a
wheelchair, ramps, signage, contrasting colors etc). The
same exists in web content, applications and other
systems. Accessibility means that people with and
without disabilities can perceive, understand, navigate,
and interact with information, services and
applications. The adoption of accessibility standards,
guidelines and best practices ensure that systemic
barriers are eliminated prior to individual
accommodations.
Jeffrey is very aware of the technology that is deployed
across Canada in the general public. He regularly
volunteers his technical services in the general public
to persons with disabilities and families of persons
with disabilities who require technological
accommodations.
DALE STEVENSON - Ottawa, Ontario
Interests: mobility issues,
technology, recreation, political activism
Background: Dale has varied experience
of disability through academic studies, working in the
disability community and for the federal government.
Currently, He is in the process of writing his Master’s
thesis in Disability Studies at the University of
Manitoba where he is exploring the masculinity of men
with disabilities. Within the disability community, he
is involved with Paralympic sport, volunteerism, and
political activism. Further, Dale has gained research
experience / accessible web design with: the Council of
Canadians with Disabilities, the Canadian Centre on
Disability Studies, and Human Resources and Social
Development Canada. He has recently gained some
experience with Accessibility Advisory Committees and is
looking forward to the implementation of the
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. As a
person with a disability he brings a valuable
perspective to his role with CWDO.
MARLENE THOMAS - Hamilton, Ontario
Interests: Aging with a disability;
Accessibility; Education; Housing; ODSP/Income Security;
Transportation
Background: For more than 25
years, Marlene has been a Community and Social
Development Consultant specializing in Human Rights and
anti-Racism issues, an Educator/Public Speaker on Self
and Group Motivation and Empowerment, Past
Vice-Chairperson of the City of Hamilton's Advisory
Committee for Persons with Disability, former
Co-Chairperson (with former Mayor Bob Morrow for 13
years) of the Mayor's Committee Against Racism and
Discrimination, member of the Government of Ontario
Cabinet Roundtable on antiracism representing the
Southwestern region, Founder of Hamilton Cultural and
Ethnic Mosaic Association, Founder of KUUMBA
(Creativity) Enterprises. Co-Founder of Rev. John C.
Holland Awards of Excellence. Marlene believes every
person should be treated with equality with no
exception. She wants to know she is accepted, not merely
tolerated.
SAMANTHA WALSH - Toronto, Ontario
Interests: Aging with a
disability; arts and culture; accessibility; education;
employment; housing; mental health; ODSP/income
security; recreation; transportation
Background: Samantha has experience
with activist work, political organization and social
justice movements. She also has an extensive disability
studies background. Samantha is trained in an
anti-oppressive framework for group organizing and
brings both lived experience of disability as well as
professional work with people with intellectual
disabilities.
SOUSAN ZARIBAF - Toronto, Ontario
Interests: Aging with a disability; Arts and
Culture; Attendant services; Accessibility; Employment;
Housing; Recreation
Background: As a college
student, Sousan formed a Union for Students with
Disabilities, organized meetings with administrators and
teachers to discuss accessibility on campus, and secured
improved services for students with disabilities in the
classroom. She served on the Board of Directors of
Aldebrain Attendant Care Services of Toronto as
Secretary, promoting accessible housing for many years.
Sousan participated in successful negotiations with the
Ontario Ministry of Housing to secure approval for
funding to start construction of an apartment building
which integrated wheelchair accessible units with
support services in a public community setting. She met
with Ruth Grier, then Minister of Health, to advocate
the great need for social housing in Toronto.
Since commencing employment at TD Canada Trust, Sousan
has been an active participant in the Bank's advocacy
and employment diversity programs, recently serving on a
panel organized by TD to speak to 50
employers from all industries, explaining the tangible
advantages in hiring more persons with disabilities.
Updated June 18, 2010