The Canadian Abilities Foundation

Vision:

At the Canadian Abilities Foundation, we envision an inclusive, universally accessible society, where all people belong and are valued.

Mission:

The Canadian Abilities Foundation convenes a forum for the exchange of information to promote an inclusive society and provide inspiration and opportunity for people with disabilities

The Canadian Abilities Foundation (CAF) was founded in 1986 and has been a national leader and partner with other organizations and governments on various projects related to disability and communications. The CAF  has never had the benefit of core funding.  It has survived through project funding, subscriptions, advertising and product sales.  CAF is a model in social enterprise, and serves as a living example to organizations and coalitions directing their energies towards self-sufficiency and pursuit of the public good.

We publish several disability-related books and publications, including Abilities, Canada's Lifestyle Magazine for People with Disabilities, with a readership of about 80,000. Through our on-line portal, Access Guide Canada: an online directory, which provides a detailed look at accessibility across Canada. Over 1,200 volunteers have assisted in developing more than 17,000 listings of accessible places and facilities spread over 2000 communities in Canada – and the list continues to grow! It holds information on a range of destinations, including businesses, services, lodgings, attractions, restaurants, places of worship and recreation. CAF participates and supports others in the quest to provide equal opportunities for full participation of people with disabilities – an opportunity to contribute to the greater good. 

CAF’s on-line presence - www.abilities.ca - links people with disabilities to a world of resources.  For many people with disabilities, especially those who live in rural areas, online access is the key to finding the information they need.  It is a fully accessible online centre for developing communities of interest; complete with over twenty years' worth of resources and connections.

The EnableLinker: the monthly ezine of the Canadian Abilities Foundation;  EnableLinker has over 1,600 subscribers and is basically a modern-day "town crier," keeping readers  informed of conferences, workshops, volunteering opportunities, research opportunities, articles for sale and lease, and so on.

Canada's Belonging Initiative. This is a groundbreaking undertaking consists of a first-ever collaboration of national disability organizations committed to fostering a sense of belonging for the most isolated members of our society; a prime example of a partnership that has the potential to make a profound difference.

We currently partner with the Adaptive Technology Resource Centre (ATRC) at the University of Toronto on, Access to Learning Canada (ATLC), an online inventory of resources for students with disabilities, parents and guidance counsellors. We also partner with ATRC in CulturAll, a national multi-sector network that develops innovative approaches, tools and strategies to ensure that everyone in Canada can participate in the Canadian cultural exchange.  We are also a member of a national coalition in conjunction with Easter Seals and several other organizations, including Cineplex Entertainment, to offer the Access 2 EntertainmentTM card, which provides free admission (or a significant discount) for support persons accompanying a person with a disability at movie theatres across Canada.

Meet our board members:

Raymond Cohen, Chief Executive Officer and Founder
Judith Benakoum, Chairperson and Treasurer
Tom Proszowski
Stephen Trumper
Brendon Pooran
Marcia Rioux
Amy Hanen
Phillip Haid
Patrick Watson, Chair Emeritus