When award-winning videographer Paul Wing received a life-altering diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease, he was forced to stop doing the work that defined and fuelled him. His life was dramatically altered. The complex brain disease affects every aspect of his life, from his movement and mobility, to his eating and memory. He and Cathy, his wife of 40 years, were accustomed to planning ahead for activities and gatherings. Not any more. Now they live with the unpredictable nature

Turn your disability into your differentiator. That’s the advice to job-seekers from long-time recruiter Sharon Singh, a Human Resources business partner with Canada’s largest bank, RBC. She proactively seeks out and develops talent with disabilities. “I know the hesitations, myths and misunderstandings. But I also know the long-term value of hiring a person with a disability and what they can offer,” says Sharon. “Job-seekers need to highlight their unique strengths and the

On a quiet country road, Mark Wafer revs up his bright orange race car. It’s hard to imagine him idle, but Mark knows exactly what it’s like to lag behind. “I have 20 percent hearing. I understand the barriers. I grew up with those barriers. Thirty years ago people with disabilities didn't get jobs. I had to do and say whatever it took to get a job,” Mark recalls. He charmed his way into jobs. “But as soon as they found that I was deaf, they fired me,” says Mark. Instead of w

Ahmed Abukar was nine when he and his family fled war-torn Somalia. They settled in Canada, a shocking new climate, language, and culture. From his home in Africa, it was a world away, a world Ahmed couldn’t see. Ahmed was born with a rare eye disease called Leber Amaurosis. He sees colors and vague shapes. Because of his disability, he had no formal schooling in his home country. “They don’t have accommodations in place for people with visual impairment. And so up to the age