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 Abilities Bulletin is the free monthly e-newsletter of the Canadian Abilities Foundation;  The Abilities Bulletin has over 2000 subscribers and is basically a modern-day "town crier," keeping readers  informed on what's happening in the Canadian Disability Community. Sign-up today on our homepage and keep up-to-date on news, conferences, workshops, research, publications, volunteering opportunities,  items for sale 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 are 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
Patrick Watson, Chair Emeritus
Howard Barrie, Chairperson
Judith Benakoun, Treasurer
David Visschedyk, Secretary
Joel Dembe
Cameron Graham
Amy Hanen
Marcia Rioux
Stephen Trumper