Access/Inclusion

December 22, 2022

Seasonal Greetings

To Council Members, Friends and Allies of CCD:

“I want to congratulate and thank all of you, for your time, commitment, respect and compassion this past year. Your tremendous work with people in our respected communities and your willingness to stretch to also give time to the collective work of CCD, is much appreciated by all of us. As a volunteer organization heading into its 47th year, we collectively have been the home for many for nearly 5 decades.

In June of this year at our AGM, the Qulliq was lit by elder, Mary-Lee Anayok, Nunavummi Disabilities Makinnasuaqtiit Society.  https://youtu.be/bJlf52M9SrQ    That light gives us warmth and strength and it continues every day to burn softly, continuously, and steadily in our hearts as we work together. This has reaffirmed for all of us, that we continue to be, present, dedicated, respectful, and will continue to do the work together, in defending the Human Rights and Social Justice of the people in our intersectional, cross disability and Deaf communities.

We will continue to do this through our ever emerging knowledge and understanding of each other’s experience and we will continue to do this with our developing principles of Respect, Intersectionality, Sustainability. We will continue the work around our Council Fire, with open hands and hearts, with no weapons and create a safer place for all of us to discuss and work through our many understandings and ways to support our communities.

Many people have found their way to this light this year and we thank all of them who are supporting CCD and giving of their time and welcoming us and opening opportunities for our involvement. Thank you to our Elders Council who are giving their wisdom, generational knowledge and caring spirits to help guide us.

It is an honour to serve you and our work at CCD. I am looking forward to more laughter, caring, sharing and growing understandings in the New Year.”
Heather Walkus
National Chair, CCD
  Read more.

December 18, 2021

Season's Greetings and Happy New Year!

“If you want to go fast go alone; if you want to go far go together. Now, at CCD we are moving together and we are going to go far in our efforts to create an equitable, accessible and inclusive Canada created by the many voices and viewpoints of our intersectional community. I want to thank everyone involved in CCD for their hard work this year and I look forward to going far with you in 2022 and beyond.  Happy Holidays to everyone.” ~ Heather Walkus, Acting Chair, 1st Vice Chair.

"Thank you for everything you do nationally and in your home province. I look forward to connecting with you on our Governance work over the coming year to build up CCD's effectiveness. May this season and the year to come bring you the best.” ~ Tracy Odell, 2nd Vice-Chair.

“It is the holiday season and the dawn of a new year, a new year can bring new changes and new ideas, on behalf of myself, and the Executive Committee of the Council of Canadians with Disabilities, we extend happiness and peace throughout this season and all year round.

Thank you to the staff, the member organizations, and the strong citizens living with disabilities for continued support and input. You are very valued.

As one, we are a voice, as two, we are a concern, as a group, we become an action.

Happy Holidays!” ~ Ian Young, Secretary.

Pat Danforth has visions of not sugarplums but debits and credits. She is very busy balancing our books but she takes time off from that task to say,

“Wishing everyone a happy holiday season and all the best in the New Year,” ~ Pat Danforth, Treasurer.

“As the holidays approach, may the magic of the holiday season fill your home with joy and peace. Best wishes for happy holidays and a magnificent New Year. Take care of yourselves and stay safe,” Frank Folino, Member-at-Large on Executive Committee. Read more.

December 14, 2021

CCD: Rebuilding Our Capacity to Be a Voice for Disability Rights

The Executive and Council of CCD has, since June 2020, worked on modernizing our policies, practices and systems, as well as strengthening our ability to play a meaningful, strategic and convening role as a human rights advocacy organization in the disability community. We have new work groups, committees and volunteers who are picking up the workload on finances, human resources, technology, and governance. Our human rights, social policy, international and transportation teams continue their work. Read more.