YEG Accessibility Advisory Council

In a world not built for him, Brad has persevered to become a changemaker and advocate. He lives with cerebral palsy and is a wheelchair user with a mission to inspire hope and raise awareness for those with disabilities. He co-founded an accessible consulting firm, disabilityABD, and was a 2022 Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal recipient. Active in charity organizations and advocacy for people with disabilities, he emphasizes that creating a barrier-free world is a collective effort: “It’s time for a change: it’s not about ME, it’s all about WE.”

Taylor has two decades of personal advocacy experience and is a CNIB disability professional. She loves the sense of adventure that comes with air travel, and her mission is to change what it means to be blind in Canada by breaking down barriers. As a person who has been legally blind since birth, Taylor offers a unique perspective on accessible travel. She specializes in the physical built environment, accessible communications, human rights legislation, guide dogs, and customer service etiquette. Outside of work and advocacy, she enjoys spending time with her three beautiful dogs, including her guide dog, Wallace.

As a travel enthusiast and person living with a disability, Scott understands the travel challenges that people with disabilities can face, whether on a short road trip or a long flight. As a travel agent specializing in disability accommodations, he aims to alleviate stress for his clients by arranging flights, hotels, accessible transfers, and medical equipment rentals. Passionate about golfing, he volunteers as a Program Development Manager with ParaGolf Canada. His diverse experiences drive his commitment to making travel accessible and enjoyable for everyone.

Terri started at YEG in 2011 and currently serves as the Passenger Experience Assistant and Coordinator of the Airport Volunteer Ambassador program. Her role focuses on recruiting a diverse team of volunteers representing our community and the population YEG serves. She works closely with these volunteers to ensure they effectively convey our commitment to inclusivity, welcoming visitors from around the world to our ‘Airport for Everyone.’ Terri is dedicated to creating a welcoming environment through her collaborative efforts and passion for diversity within the airport community.

With 30 years of experience across many departments and roles within the airport community, Sarah started her career as a Customer Service Agent and later became an Instructor, training new staff in all aspects of customer service, including accessibility. Joining YEG in 2008, Sarah is the Passenger Experience Manager and Chair of the YEG Accessibility Advisory Council. She ensures that YEG’s accessibility aligns with its mission to be an “Airport for Everyone” and oversees customer service excellence. Sarah is a leader in accessible air travel and consistently innovates new ideas and solutions to address barriers and enhance the passenger experience for all. Sarah also serves as a member of the Canadian Airports Council Accessibility Working Group, where her knowledge and passion for inclusive travel help drive national consistency for all passengers.

Cindy has dedicated 40 years to the disability community and serves as Executive Director for the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association—Edmonton Branch. A rehabilitation practitioner and a person with lived experience of hearing loss, she educates and advocates for barrier-free communication and teaches effective management strategies. She has served on numerous boards and received several awards, including the 2023 Queen’s Jubilee Medal. Passionate about advocacy and travel, Cindy has made it her life’s goal to ensure that changes are made to reduce communication barriers in all aspects of life for those who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Roneel developed a passion for dance from a young age. After sustaining a spinal cord injury, he founded the dance group Bollywheels, which blends the vibrant energy of Bollywood with accessibility. Bollywheels welcomes dancers of all levels, aiming to promote inclusivity and diversity. Roneel fosters unity through kindness and relatability, encouraging others to dance, learn, and share. In addition to being a model and actor featured in the CBC docuseries “Push,” Roneel works as a porter and dispatcher for AHS in the Integrated Operating Centre. He is also part of Canada’s SCI consortium for hospitals, advocating for improved patient care at all levels of disability and accessibility.

With 6 years of experience, Sam loves exploring new places for fun, work, and connecting with loved ones. They specialize in built-environment and policy consultation alongside human rights and accommodation support. As the President of the Board of the Coalition for Justice and Human Rights, Programs Director of their Community League Board, and member of several municipal committees focused on accessibility, including the City of Edmonton’s Accessibility Advisory Committee, Sam’s advocacy spans built environment, human rights, affordable housing, and arts and culture. Sam enjoys playing Dungeons and Dragons and caring for their dog, cats, and tortoise outside work.

Lara is a socio-spatial researcher and design anthropologist studying how environments affect the well-being of people with disabilities. Soon to be a certified evaluator, she sets standards for how well buildings meet people’s needs after they are built. Certified in public engagement, she creates campaigns for marginalized groups, and as a human ecologist, she evaluates environments and processes. With 35 years of invisible disability lived experience, she advances inclusivity through Lara Pinchbeck: Research+Design, her recent appointment to the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Advisory Services team, and her doctoral studies. She enjoys biking and gardening and resides in amiskwaciwâskahikan (Edmonton).

With eight years of managing the City of Edmonton’s paratransit service, Paul contributes to accessible public transportation through strategic planning, public engagement, and innovation. As a person with a degenerative eye condition, he became legally blind at 25 and recently became a guide dog handler. Chairing the Operations Accessibility Action Committee and serving on the Accessibility Steering Committee, Paul advocates for inclusivity and barrier-free environments and travel. An award-winning competitive blind hockey player, he’s also a versatile musician, exploring folk, hip-hop, indie rock, and thrash metal.

Daryl is an avid traveller who loves the convenience of flying from Calgary to Toronto in four hours instead of driving for four days! With over 20 years of experience in UX, development, quality assurance, and product management, Daryl has focused on web accessibility for the past three years. Passionate about making the web and communications more inclusive, his personal experience with neurodivergence and temporary physical disability has deepened his understanding of everyday barriers and diverse interactions with the world.

Zachary Weeks is a recognized disability advocate and consultant with nearly 20 years of experience dedicated to enhancing accessibility and equality for all. Specializing in making physical and digital environments accessible, he is a celebrated speaker and consultant who has significantly impacted the sector by ensuring digital information is accessible to everyone. His lived experience with cerebral palsy, deep understanding of social justice, and passion for advocacy bring invaluable perspectives to the YEG Accessibility Council. Recently completing the RHFAC training, Zachary enjoys video gaming and is always eager to infuse humour into his engagements.

As the YEG Passenger Experience Coordinator, Gerry joined YEG in 2007 and is honoured to serve on the YEG Accessibility Council. His commitment to accessibility stems from lived experiences that have profoundly influenced him. His mother lost her right leg in 2001, and his father faced mobility issues due to Parkinson’s disease, requiring them both to utilize mobility devices in their daily lives. His niece’s bilateral dyskinetic cerebral palsy has further highlighted the importance of inclusive environments. Combining professional expertise with personal insights, he stands as a staunch ally in advocating for removing barriers within his professional and personal spheres.