The National Disability Initiative Working Group is a 5-year initiative that was established in December 2024, thanks to The Slaight Family Foundation’s historic $30 million gift in support of Canadians with disabilities. Led by Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation and Rick Hansen Foundation, the working group includes representatives from 11 grantee disability organizations and 4 community members with lived experience.
The National Disability Initiative Working Group will guide the collective impact of The Slaight Family Foundation’s transformational investment and collaborate to advance and amplify disability inclusion, accessibility and equity. The working group will also help facilitate cross-organizational partnerships and capacity building among all grantees. This philanthropy-funded effort does not replace any other national or regional network, coalition, committee or council focused on disability inclusion or accessibility.
National Disability Initiative Working Group Members
- Taylor Lindsay-Noel, Co-Chair
- Hugh O’Reilly, Co-Chair
- Ben Akuoko, Community Member with Lived Experience
- Jay Baldwin, Community Member with Lived Experience
- Alexis Holmgren, Community Member with Lived Experience
- Jackie Palmer-McPherson, Community Member with Lived Experience
Leads
- Doramy Ehling, CEO, Rick Hansen Foundation
- Sandra Hawken, President and CEO, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation
- Heather Burns, Officer, National Disability Initiative & Engagement, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation
Grantee Partner Representatives
- The Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work - Maureen Haan, President & CEO\
- CNIB - Larissa Proctor, Executive Director, CNIB Advocacy
- Canadian Women’s Foundation - Karen Campbell, Vice President, Community Initiatives
- DAWN Canada - Bonnie Brayton, CEO
- Easter Seals Canada - Rob Eatough, President and CEO
- Empowered Kids Ontario - Jennifer Churchill, President & CEO
- Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital - Joanne Maxwell, Vice President, Experience, Transformation and Social Accountability
- Inclusion Canada - Krista Carr, CEO
- March of Dimes Canada - Lesley Smith, Executive Director/Vice President, Skills Development and Employment
- Ontario Disability Employment Network (ODEN) - Amy Widdows, CEO – Interim
- Rick Hansen Foundation - Matthew Shaw, Head, Accessibility Practice
- Wavefront Centre for Communication Accessibility - JoAnn Bentley, Director, Accessibility Services