Sponsorships & Tickets

2025 CDHF – Event Flyer
2025 CDHF – Information Sheet
2025 CDHF – Sponsorship Information
2025 CDHF – Sponsorship/Ticket Order Form

Inductees

2025 CDHF – Inductees Short Bios
Previous CDHF Inductees

Press Release

2025 CDHF Press Release

Photos

2024 CDHF – Event Photos – Album 1
2024 CDHF – Event Photos – Album 2

2023 CDHF – Event Photos

2024 Magazine

Canadian Disability Hall of Fame:
Recognizing those who have opened doors for people with disabilities

The Canadian Disability Hall of Fame (CDHF) has provided permanent recognition of outstanding Canadians who have made extraordinary contributions to enriching the quality of life for people with physical disabilities. Founded by CFPDP, this public exhibit was officially opened February 11, 1994. It is open to the public on the main floor of Metro Hall, located at 55 John Street in Toronto.

The scope and depth of the contributions made by these individuals to the betterment of life for people with disabilities is astonishing — and every year since, the Disability Hall of Fame has added more inductees, equally remarkable, to its permanent exhibit.

“There are so many remarkable Canadians who have achieved excellence and made a difference in the lives of people with disabilities,” stated the Honourable David Crombie, Chair of the CDHF Selection Board since the Hall of Fame’s inception. “Each year, it becomes increasingly difficult for our Selection Board to name a single inductee in each category due to the extraordinary calibre of nominees. We wholeheartedly congratulate all the inductees and nominees for their exceptional achievements.”

Canadian Disability Hall of Fame located in the Rotunda, at Metro Hall, 55 John Street, Toronto, ON

Inductees and Nomination Process: 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 Disability Hall of Fame’s Selection Board in the category of Builder, Achiever or Athlete.

The Canadian Disability Hall of Fame recognizes distinguished Canadians who have made significant contributions in assisting, or enhancing the lives of persons with physical disabilities. Both physically disabled and non-disabled persons may be inducted into the Disability Hall of Fame. 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.

Nominations are collected year round and every June, three Canadians are selected to be inducted into the Canadian Disability Hall of Fame.

Selection Categories:
Builder: Persons who have distinguished themselves by making extraordinary contributions to enhance the lives of persons with physical disabilities: those in the field of medical research whose significant discoveries enhance and enrich the lives of persons with physical disabilities.
Achiever: Those who have worked to heighten public awareness about persons with physical disabilities and increased opportunities for them in the area of sports, education, employment and housing: those who are an inspiration to others who have physical disabilities.
Athlete: Those with physical disabilities who have excelled as athletes

“We have always strived to bring people together in a broader understanding of what people with disabilities can really do,” said Honourable Vim Kochhar. “They are remarkable and inspiring. I am very proud of them and they serve as strong role models for all Canadians.”

Canadian Disability Hall of Fame 2025 Inductees

Tom Chau
Builder

Tom Chau is a Senior Scientist and Raymond Chang Foundation Chair in Access Innovations at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, and a Professor at the University of Toronto’s Institute of Biomedical Engineering. His research explores novel access pathways to facilitate communication for children and youth with severe physical impairments. Chau’s lab has developed numerous access innovations that are being used by children and youth locally and abroad. These include the Virtual Music Instrument, a computer vision-based software tool that allows children of all abilities to play music, and the Hummingbird, a device that enables communication through humming. His lab has also created various braincomputer interfaces (BCIs) that translate mental activity into communication and control. These innovations led to the launch of the pediatric BCI clinic at Holland Bloorview in 2019.
Bloorview in 2019.

Kevin J. Collins
Achiever

Kevin J. Collins has a long history of supporting children with disabilities and Easter Seals Ontario. Born with Cerebral Palsy, he was the Orillia Kiwanis Club Easter Seals ambassador “Timmy” (1973-75) and the Easter Seals provincial “Timmy” in 1976. This launched his lifelong path as a disability advocate and community leader. Collins has since spoken at nearly 1,000 events to raise awareness. After a successful career with a major hotel chain, he joined Easter Seals Ontario in 1991 as Manager of Corporate and Special Events, expanding fundraising and access to programs. In 1999, he became Executive Director of Friends of We Care, which unites the foodservice and hospitality industry to support Easter Seals, increasing annual revenue from $250,000 to $1 million. In 2017, Collins returned to Easter Seals Ontario as President and CEO, where he continues to increase opportunities for children and youth with physical disabilities.

Ina Forrest
Athlete

Ina Forrest is a Canadian curler of international renown. She has been a key member of Canada’s National Wheelchair Curling Team since 2007, competing in four Paralympic Games and 15 World Championships. Forrest has helped Canada earn four Paralympic medals (two gold, two bronze) and six World Championship medals (three gold, three silver). She has also represented Team BC, winning four national medals (two silver, two bronze). Recognized for her remarkable achievements, she received the Top Canadian Female Athlete Award from the Canadian Paralympic Committee after Sochi 2014 and was inducted into the Canadian Curling Hall of Fame in 2016. At the 2022 Beijing Paralympics, Forrest was named a Flag Bearer for the Opening Ceremonies. committed to giving back, she has supported Plan International since the 1980s and was elected to the Canadian Paralympic Committee Athlete Council in 2020.