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

PLEASE NOMINATE SOMEONE FOR THE HALL OF FAME BEFORE MAY 8, 2020

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 Sixth Annual Hall of Fame Induction

Date: Wednesday, November 6, 2019
Fairmont Royal York Hotel, Concert Hall
Guest Speaker: Dr. Charles H. Tator, Professor of Neurosurgery, University of Toronto
11:45 am - Reception 12 noon - Lunch

Canadian Disability Hall of Fame 2019 Inductees

Bradley BowdenAthlete

Ontarian Bradley Bowden is one of the few Paralympic athletes to win Paralympic gold in both the summer and winter Games. A force for Team Canada in para ice hockey, he has competed in four Winter Paralympic Games, capturing gold in Torino 2006, coming fourth in Vancouver 2010, and winning bronze in Sochi 2014 and silver in PyeongChang 2018. He also played wheelchair basketball at the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games, where Canada won gold. When off the ice, Bradley, who lives with sacral agenesis, gives back to the community through his work for “All Sports All People,” a non-profit that creates inclusive sports programs in and around Simcoe County

Brian MacPhersonBuilder

Brian has demonstrated a life-long commitment to enriching the lives of Canadians with disabilities through sport. Both as a volunteer and in his various professional roles, he has consistently sought to ensure that inclusive and accessible programs exist for anyone who wants to participate in sport. Since 2011, Brian has served as CEO of Commonwealth Games Canada. Previously, he spent 8 years as CEO of the Canadian Paralympic Committee. The list of sport-themed events, programs and services Brian has helped create or advance on behalf of people with disabilities includes the Soldier On Program, Rolling Rampage on the Hill, Parasport Equipment Fund and Paralympic Sport Schools Program.

Richard PeterAthlete

Richard has been using a wheelchair since age four, when he was injured in a bus accident. His friends know him by the nickname “Bear,” which reflects not only his physique and competitive nature, but also the size of his heart. At 15, he took up wheelchair basketball and went to play professionally for 18 years, retiring in 2012. His athletic accomplishments include Paralympic gold medals in 2000 and 2004, Paralympic silver in 2008 and a third Paralympic gold in 2012. Peter is recognized for his leadership skills on and off the court. A member of the Cowichan Tribes in British Columbia, he focuses on giving back to his community and mentoring youth with disabilities.

Tracy SchmittAchiever

Tracy was born a four-way amputee, but she’s never let that prevent her from achieving the many high-level goals she’s set for herself. Unstoppable Tracy, as she’s known, has climbed mountains in Nepal, captained tall ships in the Atlantic Ocean, dived on wrecks in the St. Lawrence River and won a bronze medal in alpine downhill para skiing at the Ontario ParaSport Games. She’s also worked in corporate leadership roles, served as a board member on the AODA Transportation Standards Committee and was manager of planning and integration for the 2015 Pan Am and Parapan Am Games in Toronto. Tracy also regularly devotes time to humanitarian causes and volunteer work in support of people with disabilities.

Click here to view previous Hall of Fame inductees