Summer 2010

Being born without arms has never stopped Jessica Cox from doing anything she sets her mind to. She swims, bikes, surfs, scuba dives, tap dances and has two black belts in tae kwon do. She is also an accomplished and certified pilot.
By Floyd Allen

While in Vancouver for the Accessibility Showcase on March 9th, I received an unexpected email from HRSDC inviting me to come to the United Nations on March 11th. Anticipating final confirmations from provincial governments, the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs, was (hopefully) going to announce Canada’s ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Representatives from the two main disability groups responsible for Canada’s participation in the development of this international treaty, the Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD) and the Canadian Association for Community Living (CACL), were also invited.
By Independent Living Canada

On March 21, Rick Hansen officially kicked off the 25th anniversary celebration of his Man In Motion world tour. Both Prime Minister Stephen Harper and B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell attended the event, held at the Blusson Spinal Cord Centre in Vancouver. The two leaders announced a total of $38.5 million in support of Hansen’s two-year quest to raise an additional $200 million for spinal cord injury (SCI) research and innovations.
By Rick Hansen Institute

Like all arts organizations and non-profits, the Abilities Arts Festival had a very rough 2008 and a lean 2009. Many board meetings were spent discussing the fate of the organization and the festival. However, the power of disability art and culture prevailed and the Abilities Arts Festival has made it through. We couldn’t have done it without the help of a strong community of volunteers and supporters and, of course, the talent of the artists.
By Abilities Arts Festival

In late 2009, people with MS, researchers, volunteers and staff of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada learned about a promising study of 65 people with MS, conducted by Italian researcher Dr. Paolo Zamboni. The MS Society is hopeful about the potential of this research into chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI). We are privileged to play a role in better understanding CCSVI and look forward to seeing research results, as quickly as possible, in order to best help those living with MS.
By Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada

It is estimated that over three million Ontarians are currently living with a neurological, psychiatric or developmental brain condition. These conditions are often progressive and effect every age and stage of life. At the same time, they create a significant and often catastrophic impact on the individual with the condition, as well as on their families and caregivers. For all of society, the health, social and economic costs of brain conditions are enormous, yet there has been no cohesive and integrated strategy for addressing these impacts across Ontario to date.
By Neurological Health Charities Canada

As an able-bodied actor, work opportunities were ample for Leesa Levinson, but when her mobility became increasingly challenged due to multiple sclerosis, the number of opportunities declined sharply. Something needed to be done—not just for Levinson, but for other talent with disabilities in the industry.
By Lights Camera Access

People with disabilities want to exercise their fundamental right to vote. The Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD), a human rights organization of people with disabilities working for an accessible and inclusive Canada, has a long history of promoting access to the electoral process. Most recently, CCD assisted Rev. Peter Hughes’ efforts to improve access for voters with disabilities.
By Council of Canadians with Disabilities

In May 2009, eight people with disabilities, and their project coordinator, completed training to become disability rights monitors in order to interview other people with disabilities about their personal experiences of human rights violations.
By Disability Rights Promotion International Canada