International Day of Persons with Disabilities Conference: Inclusion Benefits Everyone
- operations7108
- Nov 4
- 4 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
AEBC National, AEBC Toronto, and partners are pleased to host the 9th annual International Day of Persons with Disabilities Conference!
The theme for this year's event is Inclusion Benefits Everyone. Our goal for this year's conference is to explore how being inclusive benefits everyone—not just people with disabilities—and to bust the myths that perpetuate exclusion.
This virtual conference will be accessible to all and will feature ASL interpreters and real-time live captioning. Featuring guest speakers and an interactive, “Ask Me Anything” panel. Read about our amazing speaker lineup further below!
With a special musical appearance by Sky Mundell, a Deafblind pianist.
Come curious – leave empowered!
WHEN: Saturday, December 6, 2025 from 1:00 to 4:00 pm ET
WHERE: Online by Zoom
REGISTER NOW: https://tinyurl.com/36bxf8v6
You may also register via email or request accommodations by emailing IDPWD.event@blindcanadians.ca
Thank You to Our Sponsors & Conference Partners!
SPONSORS:
TRAILBLAZERS Tandem Cycling Club
Ontario Council for International Cooperation
Baker McKenzie
PARTNERS:
TRAILBLAZERS Tandem Cycling Club
Ontario Council for International Cooperation
Baker McKenzie
Funded in part by the Government of Canada's Social Development Partnerships Program
Speakers:
Johnny (Tiger) Tai
Johnny Tai is a blind and partially deaf Canadian-Taiwanese artist, martial arts instructor, and disability advocate. Since losing his sight and hearing at age three due to Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, he has devoted his life to proving that disability and capability can coexist—and even amplify each other.
Johnny is the founder of Night Strike Self Defense for the Blind, a comprehensive self-defense and empowerment program designed for both blind and sighted participants. Over the years, Johnny has trained hundreds of people—including fire and rescue personnel, RCMP officers, airport security staff, and civilians—helping them understand adaptive combat, situational awareness, and the power of tactile intelligence. Night Strike’s inclusive approach demonstrates that blind and sighted practitioners can learn from each other, changing how society perceives physical capability and blindness.
Johnny is also a tactile artist, using a distinctive method of etched-aluminum tactile art that combines visual detail with raised texturing, allowing those with vision loss access to rich figurative art in a meaningful, tactile way. Through his exhibitions, Johnny advocates for accessible creativity—art that can be both touched and understood without sight.
To learn more about Johnny Tai visit his websites at http://johnnytiger.com/ and https://tigertactile.com/
Karoline Bourdeau
Karoline Bourdeau, accompanied by her guide dog Raven, will join us to speak on the topic of AI. Karoline was an early adopter of AI using Be My Eyes and Seeing AI, and is a passionate advocate of the usefulness of these tools for the sight loss community. Karoline will demonstrate some of the tools she uses and talk about the many ways AI can be helpful to everyone if they dare! She will also give us tips on how to use these tools while maintaining personal data privacy.
Karoline is a popular speaker at many conferences and has facilitated a number of workshops on copious topics including human rights, communication, and advocacy. She holds degrees in Political Science and Gender Studies as well as a Juris Doctor, all from Queen’s University.
Karoline’s recent activities include Accessibility Testing and Technology Coaching. She volunteers with several charities including Lions International and the Blind Sailing Association of Canada. She is also a member of the Triple Vision podcast team.
For more, follow Karoline’s blog at: https://gratitudifulplace.wordpress.com
Panelists:
Amber Kaur
Amber Kaur is a Business Administration student at Nova Scotia Community College studying inclusive design, assistive technology, and equitable systems. Her professional background includes work with CNIB and World Blind Union, where she supported service accessibility and inclusive program delivery.
As a visually impaired individual, Kaur is deeply committed to advancing inclusion, digital accessibility, and equitable employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Her lived experience has guided her passion for building systems that empower rather than exclude.
Yagiz Boran
Yagiz Boran is an international, physically disabled professional and community advocate with lived experience as a leukemia survivor and wheelchair marathoner. His work covers nonprofit, education, and international development sectors, specializing in accessibility, well-being, and community engagement. Yagiz is currently collaborating with Spinal Cord Injury Ontario through Employment Services while also working to engage with the broader disability community to strengthen inclusion, awareness, and peer connection. Previous roles with Good Neighbours Canada, Ontario Council for International Cooperation, and the YMCA of Greater Toronto focused on program coordination, outreach, global citizenship, and advocacy for equitable participation in community and education systems.
Yagiz holds an undergraduate degree in Psychology and a Post-Graduate Certificate in International Development from Centennial College.
Alicia Grace Chenier
Alicia Grace Chenier is a blind actor, filmmaker, accessibility consultant and Disability Studies student at Toronto Metropolitan University. She currently serves on the Sudbury Accessibility Committee, advocating for improved access in public spaces and municipal systems. Nationally, Alicia has held leadership roles with CNIB’s National Youth Council and the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada.
Alicia’s passion in advocacy centers on authentic disability representation, community inclusion, and the understanding that lived experience is a form of expertise and leadership.
Ben Fulton
Ben Fulton is a blind, Toronto-based Human Rights lawyer. As a student at Osgoode Law School, Ben founded and served as president of the “Daredevils in Training” club, which was and still is, focused on necessary accommodations for students who are blind or visually impaired.
Ben’s law practice is focused on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), Mediations Arbitrations, Boards, Committees and Tribunals. He previously worked as a caseworker with Parkdale Community Legal Services, where he provided clients with legal advice and representation at the Landlord and Tenant Board addressing illegal rent increases and evictions. He has engaged in community legal work and development and provided public legal education through a variety of workshops and tenant meetings.
Ben is passionate about disability rights activism and helping people understand their rights and how to fight for them.
To learn more about Ben or to follow his social media channels, visit www.benlaw.ca