Voices

The Creators Behind SCIO’s 2022 Gift Basket

2022 is quickly wrapping up. Ice and snow are hitting Ontario roads and people everywhere are preparing for a time of rest and celebration with loved ones over the holidays. At SCIO, things are no different. As we reflect on another year of striving for a better world for...

IDPWD 2022: How SCIO is Striving for Transformative Solutions for Inclusive Development

Each year, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities is celebrated worldwide on December 3rd, highlighting the progress that has been made globally in inclusivity and the resilience and achievements of people with disabilities. This year, the theme for IDPWD is Transformative Solutions for Inclusive Development, focusing on employment,...

Scooting Through Life

Access to the right equipment after sustaining a spinal cord injury can ease the challenges in daily living, Frank Walker understands this well from personal experience....

Adaptation: How Jake Thomas Combined his Love of Sport and Filmmaking

Jake Thomas is a passionate filmmaker from Ontario, breaking boundaries in action sports....

Brie Birdsell: Getting Outdoors Again

Brie Birdsell loves to explore the outdoors while moving her body, and adaptive mountain biking provides her the opportunity to do just that. Injured two years ago while hiking, Brie uses a wheelchair in everyday life and a walker or forearm crutches when ambulating. She has found it difficult...

Through the Desert to the Water

Saleh spent most of his years between Egypt and Saudi Arabia, where accessibility was less than ideal and at times non-existent....

Young People with Disabilities and Employment: A Conversation with Franca Ursitti

Franca Ursitti is a member of the Holland Bloorview and SCIO Community. As mom to a passionate undergraduate who hopes to pursue a legal career, she has many insights on the world of employment for youth, particularly in the high school stage, where gaining customer service skills through retail...

Five Last Minute Halloween Costumes to Make the Best of Your Spooky Weekend

If you’re a Halloween enthusiast, you’re probably ready for the weekend, prepared to slip into your well planned costume. But if you haven’t had the time or energy to think about Halloween this year, don’t worry – here are five last minute costumes to make the best of your...

Navigating ODSP While Being Employed

Current Obstacles to Employment The Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) is all too familiar to Ontarians with disabilities and their families. While the program provides monthly income support combined with coverage for medical supplies and maintenance of assistive devices, the restrictions it has on employment leaves many stranded in...

Airlines Continue to Fail People with Disabilities

Last week, disability advocate Maayan Ziv’s worst nightmare came true, when she landed in Israel with her customized electric wheelchair mangled and unusable. Ironically, the purpose of her trip was to speak on the importance of accessibility and inclusion at a conference, a plan that was shattered upon arrival...

Accessing Care in Remote Areas

After sustaining a spinal cord injury, access to medical care and a rehabilitation team are crucial. However, a person’s location and the distance from their healthcare providers has an impact on how treatment and support is obtained. Those who sustain a SCI in a motor vehicle accident and live...

Making a Splash

On Monday, July 25th Water Ski Wakeboard Ontario hosted a fantastic day on a lake near Puslinch, Ontario. People with different types of disabilities were given the opportunity to try water skiing, most for the very first time! It was a sunny day that shone down on the participants...

Seven Accessible Activities for Summer 2022

After a tough two years for seasonal events, summer is sizzling and packed with fun events to check out. If you’re going to be in the GTA this summer, here are seven accessible activities to indulge in:   Attend The Rosé Picnic If you like the idea of sipping...

The Longest Drive

The 5th Annual OT Consult Ergo Golf Invitational took place Thursday, July 7th at the Pine View Golf Course in Ottawa. There was a great turnout of 15 foursomes on the course playing in support of SCIO’s Enhancing Independence Program that provides essential safety and mobility equipment to people...

Three Disability Themed Pride Articles to Check Out

June marks Pride month around the world, prompting celebrations of love, diversity and the progress that has been made toward acceptance. While thousands celebrate worldwide, people from the disability community reflect on their own experiences navigating Pride celebrations and accessibility. Here are three disability themed pride stories to check...

Gary Becker: Escaping the Corner

Meet Gary Becker, a seventies and eighties record enthusiast and fierce thrill seeker. The 59 year old was injured in a motorcycle accident in 1984 and has been using a wheelchair ever since. Based in Kitchener, he completed rehab in his hometown, but recalls that his six month program...

Camilo Acero: My Family is My Trophy

Camilo Acero is a communications and graphic design guru with a zest for life that is rare and infectious. In his busy life consisting of a job he loves and plenty of social events, his favourite and most important role is dad to an energetic, adventurous and compassionate six...

Four Virtual Events to Check out this National AccessAbility Week

Each year, Canadians with disabilities are celebrated on a national scale from May 29th to June 4th, as National AccessAbility Week (NAAW) highlights the achievements of the disability community and puts the spotlight on increasing accessibility and inclusion across the country. With a mix of researchers, academics, policy makers,...

Volunteer Spotlight

I give my time because......

Drew Cumpson: Taking Advocacy to the Next Level

Meet Drew Cumpson, a passionate disability advocate who’s taking his efforts to the next level by running in the upcoming provincial election as the NDP candidate for Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston....

Meet Taylor Lindsay-Noel

Taylor is a bold, 28-Year-Old Entrepreneur and Tea Lover with a Passion for Pioneering Change...