Council of Canadians with Disabilities 50th Anniversary Celebration | September 21, 2026 | Link for the livestream

Monday September 21st 2026

1:00 pm CT – 5:00 pm CT

Link for the livestream:

https://youtube.com/live/N73In8qdyUs?feature=share

Bios of the people you will hear from at Today’s Event

Ben Akuoko, Master of Ceremonies

Ben Akuoko is a Ghanaian-Canadian multidisciplinary thought leader, digital creator, entertainer, and advocate living with Retinitis Pigmentosa. His work lives at the intersection of music, storytelling, culture, identity, and social impact, shaped by his lived experience as a Black man navigating disability and creativity.

He is the founder of Brightside Scope, a platform dedicated to empowering racialized individuals and people with disabilities while amplifying marginalized voices through public speaking, digital creation, consulting, workshops, and media appearances. A registered social worker with a Social Service Worker diploma, a Bachelor of Social Work, and a Master of Social Work, Ben brings both professional insight and lived experience into his work. Ben is an active member of the National Black Disability Coalition and contributes to a national disability initiative committee, helping shape conversations and advocacy efforts at a broader systemic level. He is also the founder of a Black Blind Men’s group, creating space for community, connection, and shared lived experiences.

Carly Fox, Master of Ceremonies

Carly Fox (she/her/elle) is a queer, neurodivergent, and invisibly disabled 24-year-old disability rights advocate based out of Ottawa. Fox previously served as CCD’s International Chair throughout the recent round of reporting on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), where she led work on awareness-raising and access to information. Fox now serves as the Youth Representative, where she hopes to continue her work platforming other disabled youth advocates, bridging the intergenerational gap, and ensuring other youth benefit from mentorship opportunities as deeply as she has. Outside of CCD, Carly is completing her Master of Arts in Political Economy and Accessibility at Carleton University, where she is studying the impacts disabled wealth inequality has on democratic governance and social inclusion.

Twylla Soosay

Twylla is from Samson Cree Nation part of the Four Nations of Maskwacis (pronounced - musk-wa-cheese). Twylla is a research Assistant with Athabasca University on various research projects.

Isha Khan, CEO, Canadian Museum of Human Rights

Isha Khan (she/her) is a lawyer and community leader whose extensive career has been dedicated to promoting and protecting human rights, dignity and equality in Canada and beyond. Since being appointed CEO of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in 2020, she has led change focused on engaging deeply with community to build a better understanding of human rights through storytelling, transformational  experiences and by modeling a culture of respect for human rights.

Isha holds degrees from the University of Manitoba and the University of Victoria. She worked in private practice as a lawyer in Calgary before returning to Winnipeg to lead organizational development at United Way Winnipeg. At the Manitoba Human Rights Commission, she served first as legal counsel and then as Executive Director, advocating in the public’s interest on individual and systemic cases of discrimination and moving forward rights-based education initiatives. In 2019, she was appointed by the Government of Canada to review the conditions of people in solitary confinement in federal penitentiaries.

In addition to her professional accomplishments, she is a dedicated community volunteer who currently sits on the boards of the Main Street Project and Balmoral Hall School, the President’s Advisory Committee at the University of Manitoba and the executive committee of the International Network of Museums for Peace. Throughout her life, Khan has helped build communities where everyone is respected and valued. She continues that work at the Museum, helping to advance the public’s understanding of human rights through storytelling, and engaging new ways of working in museums, arts and culture and beyond.

Nahanni Fontaine, Manitoba Minister of Jobs & Families

Nahanni Fontaine was first elected as the MLA for St. Johns in 2016. She is a member of the Sagkeeng Anishnaabe First Nation, holds a bachelor of arts in environmental studies and international development from the University of Winnipeg, as well as a master's degree in native studies, women's studies and critical theory from the University of Manitoba.

Fontaine is globally recognized for her expertise in missing and murdered indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit individuals (MMIWG2S), Indigenous women's rights, Indigenous-police relations, and gender equity. She served as the official opposition critic for justice, families, as well as spokesperson for MMIWG2S and veterans affairs, and was the second woman to ever hold the position of official opposition house leader. As an MLA, Fontaine has passed legislation to honour MMIWG2S families, prohibit employers from forcing women workers to wear unsafe footwear, recognize the work of animal rescue shelters and incorporate more inclusive language into Manitoba's court system.

Laurie Helgason, 1st Vice Chair of Manitoba League of Persons with Disabilities

Laurie is the 1st Vice Chair and Representative for the Council of Canadians with Disabilities of the MLPD Provincial Council. Laurie acquired a disability in 1995 that required the use of a wheelchair. She then joined the Board of Women’s Health Clinic and the Provincial Council of Women of Manitoba to try to make change for women with disabilities, positions which she held for 15 years. Laurie founded the DisAbled Women’s Network of Manitoba and ran it as Executive Director for 20 years. Laurie was also on the Board and chaired the City of Winnipeg Citizen Equity Committee and served on the Access Advisory Committee for 5 years. Laurie is an advocate for accessible transportation, having been involved on Transit Committees as well as direct action to increase visibility and acceptance of people with disabilities on transit. Laurie sat on the early board of the Manitoba League of Persons with Disabilities and has been a member of the League for the last 30 years. Laurie is at heart an activist and advocate for all people who face challenges in human rights.

Christopher Sutton, Accessibility Commissioner

Christopher T. Sutton was appointed Accessibility Commissioner at the Canadian Human Rights Commission in May 2025. A nationally recognized leader in accessibility, inclusion, and disability rights, he brings deep professional expertise and lived experience to the role. Before joining the Commission, he served as CEO of the Wavefront Centre for Communication Accessibility, where he advanced inclusive communication, hearing health, and accessible technology solutions. He has contributed to the development of key accessibility legislation, including the Accessible Canada Act and the Accessible British Columbia Act. Originally from St. John’s, he holds degrees from Gallaudet University and the Ivey Business School.

Yvonne Peters, Co-Chair of CCD Disability Justice Litigation Initiative

Yvonne practiced human rights law in Winnipeg for over thirty years. She served as legal Counsel and advisor on several landmark cases involving disability rights and women’s rights. She has been involved with CCD since its inception and is currently on the Board of the Canadian Museum of Human Rights.

Melanie Benard, Lawyer & Disability Rights Advocate

“Melanie Benard is a lawyer and disability rights advocate based in Quebec. From 2016 to 2021, she chaired the Committee that led CCD’s Charter challenge to BC’s Mental Health Act. She has also  served on the Executive Committee of CCD’s National Council and on CCD’s Human Rights Committee. Melanie was the Vice-Chair of the City of Ottawa’s Accessibility Advisory Committee from 2018 to 2021. She taught Quebec’s first disability law course at McGill University in 2017. She currently works as a senior policy advisor for the federal government.”

Kevin Love, Lawyer

Kevin is a lawyer in CLAS’ Community Law Program, working primarily in the areas of mental health and workers’ rights. Kevin has represented clients at all levels of court, both federally and provincially, including the Supreme Court of Canada. Prior to joining the Community Law Program, Kevin worked in CLAS’ Mental Health Law Program representing clients who were detained in psychiatric facilities under the Criminal Code. Kevin represents CLAS on a number of committees, including Worksafe BC’s policy and practice consultative committee. Kevin chairs the Workers’ Compensation Advocacy Group, which is an independent network of worker advocates throughout British Columbia.

Tony Dolan

Tony Dolan was the Chairperson of the Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD) from 2010 until June 2016. He was appointed to CCD by the P.E.I. Council of People with Disabilities. Tony immigrated to Canada from Ireland in 1974, where he was trained as a classical French chef. Tony was injured in a swimming accident in 1978 on Prince Edward Island. In Canada, Tony worked in the Non-profit Sector and then for various Federal Government departments, including as the Director of the Federal Public Service Commission on P.E.I. and Veterans Affairs Canada. He retired from the Federal Government in 2014. Tony has made an impressive contribution to the voluntary sector, advancing the goals of an accessible and inclusive Canada. In addition to his work with CCD and the PEI Council of People with Disabilities. Tony has held leadership positions with Spinal Cord Injury Canada. The Canadian Council of Rehabilitation and Work and also with the Canadian Mental Health Association. Tony has been awarded both the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and golden Medal plus the Commemorative Medal for the 125the Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada.

Pat Danforth

Pat Danforth, is a trailblazer in disability rights, and is one of the founders of COPOH now CCD and one of the founding mothers of D.A.W.N

With more than five decades of leadership in advancing the rights of people with disabilities, Pat has made lasting contributions through policy, governance, and community activism. She has held key roles with the Council of Canadians with Disabilities, Disability Alliance BC, and the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission, and continues to serve on multiple committees focused on accessibility and human rights. Her lifelong commitment has helped pave the way for greater inclusion, equity, and systemic change across Canada. Pat is one of the People featured in the book by Peter Mansbridge called Extraordinary Canadians: Stories from the Heart of our Nation

Ellen Peterson

Ellen has been a Winnipeg playwright, dramaturg, actor, producer and visual artist for over 40 years. Recent productions include an adaptation of Sense and Sensibility (Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre John Hirsch Mainstage), The Eight Tiny Reindeer of the Apocalypse and None of This is Happening (Theatre Projects Manitoba). She teaches theatre and film at Manitoba Theatre for Young People, and last year directed a Theatre School production of her musical Best Before. Ellen has recently launched an initiative called The Free Theatre, which brings artists together to create a piece of theatre in one week. The show is then offered for free in neighbourhood venues. She is currently starting work on a play about women in the health care system, tentatively entitled Dark Ages.

A keen environmentalist, Ellen’s visual arts practice, under the name Tin Fish, includes creating decorative art out of salvaged materials, scrap metal and plain old garbage.

Sonia Gangopadhyay, Director of Centre of Expertise for Accessible Transportation, Canadian Transportation Agency

Sonia Gangopadhyay is the Director of the Centre of Expertise for Accessible Transportation at the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA), a position she has held for the past eight years. She brings more than 25 years of experience in a variety of roles across the federal public service.
Before joining the CTA, Sonia worked with the Labour Program and Transport Canada, where she served as a Senior Policy Advisor and Manager for more than a decade. Throughout her career, she has developed extensive expertise in policy development and stakeholder engagement.

Prior to entering the federal public service, Sonia worked for several years in the social-economy sector. Ms. Gangopadhyay holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Ottawa and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychoeducation.

Christina Redmond, Director of Terminal Operations at Winnipeg Airports Authority

Christina Redmond is Director of Terminal Operations at Winnipeg Airports Authority and has worked in aviation for 22 years with a focus on the passenger experience. In this role, she oversees terminal operations, passenger service delivery, accessibility, stakeholder engagement. Christina leads a team of committed and caring professionals who are committed to a safe, inclusive airport for all travellers and focuses on removing barriers for all people. By collaborating with passengers, community organizations, airlines, and government partners, she helps ensure accessibility is embedded in airport planning, operations, and service delivery. Christina brings valuable lived experience to her work, having partnered in the care of her now adult son who has a neurocognitive impairment.

Katja Newman, Financial Assistance Program Director at National Educational Association of Disabled Students (NEADS)

Katja Newman (she/her) is the Financial Assistance Program Director and Job Coach with the National Educational Association of Disabled Students (NEADS). She has been a member of the NEADS staff since 2021 and will assume the role of National Coordinator in October 2026, succeeding Frank Smith following his 40 years of leadership with the organization.
Katja holds a Master’s degree in Grant Writing, Nonprofit Management and Program Evaluation from Concordia University Chicago, a Bachelor of Social Work from Carleton University, and a diploma in Child and Youth Work from Georgian College. Her work with NEADS has focused on improving access to post-secondary education, employment and financial support for students and graduates with disabilities across Canada. In October she will take the reins at NEADS as the new National Coordinator, as Frank Smith is retiring.

Katja also represents NEADS on the Council of Canadians with Disabilities and the Canadian Accessibility Network for several years. She lives with both visible and invisible disabilities, including blindness and an autoimmune disability, and navigates life and work alongside her guide dog, Neptune. Outside of her work with NEADS, her advocacy has included advocating for the rights of guide and service dog users, more accessible air travel, and equitable access to print and published materials for people with print disabilities.

Julia Schoen, Manitoba League of Persons with Disabilities

Julia Valenca Schoen has been the current chair of the Manitoba League for Persons with Disabilities (MLPD) since June 2025 and is a Member at Large for the CCD Executive Board of Directors. She is an aspiring researcher who will be graduating with an Honours Sociology Degree from the University of Manitoba in the spring of 2027. Her honours undergraduate thesis centered on the changes to the Toronto Wheel-Trans system, and she is currently expanding this research into forecasted Winnipeg Transit+ changes.  Julia is a recent permanent resident to Canada and was until recently an international student from Brazil. She is married, has two cats, and enjoys reading, films, plays, and crafts. 

Sick + Twisted Theatre

All performance is rooted in the body and the exploration of the human condition, yet artists with disabilities are grossly underrepresented in the creation and presentation of theatre in Canada.  Artists with disabilities have an understanding of the truths of the human condition that can only be arrived at by confronting the challenges and opportunities presented to us by our exceptional bodies. But these truths are universal. We have what the rest of the world needs.

Sick + Twisted recognizes that the ability to perceive and represent truth in performance is not dependent on body/mind “perfection”.  Artistic excellence is achievable by artists of all body/minds and abilities.