Accessibility Advisory Group

David is 35 years old and has autism, a hearing impairment, sensory issues, a learning disability, inattentive ADHD, and a mental health disability. David is a writer with extensive experience in workshopping other writers’ work and draws upon those skill sets when reviewing websites and other materials. 

 Barbara (she/her) is 63 years old and has Usher Syndrome type B1. She is married and has 5 children and 12 grandchildren. Barbara is an advocate for the Deaf-Blind Community and all disabilities. She is involved in and part of multiple boards and committees to help improve the life of all people with disabilities. Barbara communicates by using an intervener, a person who provides tactile sign language interpretation.  

 Sam (he/him) is 63 years old and has Cerebral Palsy which affects all his limbs and his speech. He uses an electric wheelchair. Sam is unable to write with his hands, so he uses the computer. To access the computer, he wears a hat which has a stick which project outwards at chin level. This allows Sam to type on the keyboard. 

Lisa (she/her) is a 42-year-old Métis woman with ancestral roots in the Red River Settlement in Manitoba. She has Chronic Static Encephalopathy as a result of treatments from childhood Leukemia. Lisa has a cataract in one eye, venous insufficiency, and osteoarthritis in both knees. She uses smart devices to help her navigate the world. Lisa has 7 children who all have varying cognitive disabilities.

Jolene (she/her) is 46 years old and has a Hypermobile Ehlers Danlos syndrome which is progressive but also situational depending on flares. She requires assistance with some physical requirements (lifting/walking/sitting) at times and uses a cane when needed. Jolene also has ADHD, anxiety, POTS and requires time for note taking, verbal clarification sometimes and cannot sit for long periods of time. Her youngest daughter also has a rare form of dwarfism, so she is familiar with the needs of little people/short stature. 

Jayde (she/her) lives with multiple disabilities. Through her lived experience and training in accessibility, Jayde has extensive knowledge of how to live in a not-so-accessible world. She works as an accessibility consultant with the goal of helping to create a more inclusive world. She is a passionate advocate of accessibility, health care, and human rights (including the 2SLGBTQIA+ community which she is part of). Jayde believes speaking up to make the world more inclusive and equitable is important for quality of life. 

 Paul (he/him) is 51 years old, is blind and has a guide dog named Bo to help him navigate different environments. 

 Siyobin (she/they) is a 28-year-old queer non-binary person with Filipino and Jamaican heritage. She has ADHD and Borderline Personality Disorder, which are mental disabilities as well as Fibromyalgia (with a host of comorbidities), which is a Central Sensitization Syndrome with a wide range of symptoms. She uses a walking stick as a mobility aid. 

 Alessia (she/her) is a techno creative facilitator and artist, is 28 years old, and has mental health disabilities. Originally from Italy and Argentina, Alessia Signorino now lives in Tio'tia:ke / Moonyiang / Montreal and is fluent in English, French, Italian and Spanish. Alessia identifies as Queer and neurodivergent.