Join the Canadian Accessibility Network (CAN) at the upcoming CAN Connect Forum, Reflections on Accessibility: A Conversation with Yazmine Laroche.

The former Deputy Minister will reflect on her life and career in the public service. Ms. Laroche will dive into her personal experiences, career highlights and will speak about the importance of removing barriers to ensure full participation of persons with disabilities in society. The dialogue will also offer perspectives on what has been achieved and what we can do to continue making progress in advancing accessibility.

Guest: Yazmine Laroche

Yazmine Laroche, ICD.D, is the first person with a visible disability to become a federal Deputy Minister in Canada and was Canada’s first Deputy Minister for Public Service Accessibility. She was recently appointed to the Board of the National Arts Centre. She is currently the Chair of the Disability Screen Office, and a member and past Chair of the Board of Muscular Dystrophy Canada. She is a compelling communicator, public speaker and leader with outstanding problem-solving skills and a track record of mobilizing people to achieve results. Recognized as a Champion for inclusion, collaboration, and diversity, she was awarded an honorary doctorate from her alma mater, Carleton University, in 2019, and received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012.

Moderator: Tony Labillois

Tony has spent his entire career at Statistics Canada, rising through the ranks over the past 30 years to become a Director General. In 2002, he added a new line to his job description: champion for people with disabilities. The goal is full participation, supporting each person and benefiting from their contribution and productivity. Tony’s expanded role has allowed him to acquire vast knowledge about disability, needs, perceived or real obstacles, effective accommodations, the many facets of accessibility, mechanisms, and solutions. In 2012, he was awarded the Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, recognizing his leadership in promoting diversity at Statistics Canada. Tony was born with low-vision and is legally blind.

For more information about CAN, please visit: https://carleton.ca/accessibility-institute/can/

The Canadian Accessibility Network is a national collaboration under the leadership of the Accessibility Institute at Carleton University that aims to advance accessibility for persons with disabilities.