Voices

Marking a Milestone

For those of you who do not recognize me I am a former City TV newsroom reporter who, at one time, was given the opportunity to challenge the public’s perception on what we as wheelchair users are capable of when given the opportunity....

My Dive in Paradise

My last dives had been on the Keystorm in the St. Lawrence, September 2018. I was now trading in liquid water for the solid kind as the 2018/19 curling season was beginning....

2019 Ski Day Masters Winner, Grant Desjardine

To say it was the trip of a lifetime may be the understatement of the year,” said Grant about his trip to the Masters Golf Tournament in Augusta, Georgia, won through SCIO's Ski Day contest....

My Baby’s Beautiful Eyes

When a new mother looks at her newborn baby for the very first time she fulfills a dream in her mind of who they will become, looking into their eyes seeking out a connection to this perfect bundle that’s been placed in your arms. For me it came quickly...

Megan’s Story: Living Life as a New Mom with Disabilities

I grew up being that loud mouth, scrappy, outgoing, athletic, wild, and independent woman. Being busy and constantly on the go was my lifestyle and I loved it....

The Magic of Marjorie

Peer Support Volunteer Marjorie Francoz receives the Governor General of Canada’s Sovereign’s Medal for her service to Spinal Cord Injury Ontario....

Back on Track

Since his injury in 2009, Anthony Lue has pursued a career as a Paralympian and is now a member of Team Ontario, training full time for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics....

Best Places to Go in Your Modified Vehicle

I didn’t grow up as an explorer, but I like to travel now. I may have caught the bug a few years before my injury, when I backpacked with a friend through Europe. We had no real itinerary and journeyed wherever the spirit took us. When I travel now,...

Vehicle Modification Can Change Your Life

Wheelchair accessible vehicles and adaptive driving equipment bring greater freedom for individuals and families with mobility challenges. If you’re like me, you enjoy the freedom that comes with being able to hit the road to do anything from grocery shopping to taking summer vacations. After all, we live in...

Meet Jesse Heubner

Jesse, a Rolling Raptors team member and Wheelchair Basketball National Team hopeful, fell in love with the sport five years ago and hasn’t looked back since....

Fast (and Furious) Facts on Vehicle Modification

Freedom and autonomy are invaluable to our mental health, and in North America, one of the most celebrated feelings of freedom is driving down an open road. Feeling the wind in your hair and hearing those upbeat road trip tunes is an unbeatable feeling everyone should get to experience....

5 Essential Tips for Wheelchair Accessible Travel

As the great poet Dr Seuss once said, “You’re off to great places. Today is your day. Your mountain is waiting. So get on your way.” Here at SCIO, like Dr Seuss, we too believe you’re off to amazing places. As those who’ve caught the travel bug can also...

Top 10 Adaptive Sex Techniques

Living with a spinal cord injury will likely mean getting a little more creative with your approach to sexual intimacy. Or, if you’re already the creative type, perhaps it means continuing down the road of experimentation. Either way, there are many adaptive techniques to consider that accommodate decreased or...

Rediscovering your sexuality with a disability

There are a lot of life changes when you develop issues with your mobility, including to your sexuality and intimate relations. How we know ourselves, connect to others and find our way in the world is related in part to our sexuality. Which makes this a natural and necessary...

Five Ways to Create a Barrier-Free Storefront

Take a walk around your business. What do you see? Are there steps leading you through the front door, a ramp? Or both? Does the restroom in your business have a door that swings out or in? What does the checkout area look like? Is the debit machine fixed...

The Top 5 Myths when Hiring Employees Living with Disability

Finding a job can be tough for most people. For people with disabilities, it can be even more of a challenge. People with accessibility needs have historically faced discrimination from employers based on myths and misconceptions society holds about people living with disabilities. Unfortunately, many of these myths are...

Discovering Employment Services with Spinal Cord Injury Ontario

There’s an expression that job hunting is often a job in itself. I’ve discovered that this is very true. Just like finding the right job, finding the right type of employment services that fit your needs as a job seeker can be challenging. Sometimes you have to go through...

Access Pride: Accessibility Services Available at the Toronto Pride Parade

Happy Pride Month, everyone! This June, LGBTQ2+ communities from around the world celebrate the freedom to be themselves. Pride gatherings are wonderful events full of colour and fun, however, they are also an opportunity to highlight a greater cause. Pride Month is a chance to pay homage to the...

Perspectives on our Peer Program

Check this space to read about personal experiences of our SCIO Connect Peer Program for people with SCI and family members....

The Florida Papers: A Paraplegic in Paradise

One of SCIO's former job seekers, Ara Sagherian, is now an award-winning writer and filmmaker....

Thank you, Sheila

Our great thanks and appreciation to Dr. Sheila Thompson, who has retired from SCIO after more than five years as Team Lead, Decision Support....