Canadian Disability Hall of Fame – Canadian Foundation for Physically Disabled Persons

PLEASE NOMINATE SOMEONE FOR THE HALL OF FAME BEFORE MAY 10, 2019

Recognizing those who have opened doors for people with disabilities

The Hall of Fame provides permanent recognition of outstanding Canadians who have made extraordinary contributions to enriching the quality of life for people with physical disabilities. Founded by the CFPDP, this public exhibit was officially opened February 11, 1994 at Metro Hall, 55 John St., in downtown Toronto. A rededication ceremony was held there on November 20, 1996 when the exhibit moved to a more visible location. It is open to the public 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Nominations to the Hall of Fame come from sources across Canada – community groups, private citizens, associations and organizations of and for people with physical disabilities. Nominees are chosen each year by the Hall of Fame’s Selection Board in the category of Builder, Achiever or Athlete. The inductees are individuals who truly have made a difference – those who have opened doors for people with disabilities in the areas of sports, education, employment or housing.

Twenty Fifth Annual Hall of Fame Induction

Date: Friday, October 19, 2018
Fairmont Royal York Hotel, Canadian Room
Guest Speaker: Ken Fredeen, General Counsel, Deloitte LLP
11:45 am - Reception 12 noon - Lunch

Canadian Disability Hall of Fame 2018 Inductees

James G. KyteAthlete

Born in 1964, Jim was the first legally deaf player to suit up in the National Hockey League. Wearing a hearing aid and a specially designed helmet, he played 598 NHL games with the Winnipeg Jets, the Ottawa Senators and the San Jose Sharks, before a car auto accident forced him into retirement at age 33. Subsequently, he shifted his focus to academics and currently serves as the Dean of the school of hospitality and tourism at Algonquin College in Ottawa. A sought-after motivational speaker, he promotes a message of inclusion and accessibility. Jim started a hockey school for the hearing impaired and is a co-founder of the Canadian Hearing Impaired Hockey Association.

Alvin LawAchiever

A thalidomide survivor, Alvin was born in 1960 without arms and soon abandoned by his birth parents, but with the support of his loving foster parents, he learned to use his feet for hands and has never looked back. Attending a regular school, he discovered his musical ability and joined the school band, playing trombone, drums and piano. Alvin went on to work in broadcasting, advertising and the civil service, served as a UN spokesperson — and even ran for public office — before, in 1988, focusing his energies on motivational speaking. For years, Alvin was a mainstay on the annual telethon Telemiracle, and he has helped raise over $175,000,000 for charities, mostly one that support disabled kids.

Rt. Hon. Brian MulroneyBuilder

The Right Honourable Brian Mulroney is known to be a man of heart, always ready to reach out to those in need. As Canada’s Prime Minister from 1984 to 1993, he used the power of the office on multiple occasions to help improve the lives of people with disabilities. Perhaps his most important contribution was appointing the first Minister Responsible for Disabled Persons, which ensured there was an advocate for the disabled at every decision-making meeting. His government also created the Disabled Persons’ Participation Program, which substantially increased support for consumer organizations involved with disabled people, and it added a provision to broaden the availability of disability-related deductions for income tax purposes.

Click here to view previous Hall of Fame inductees