Our board is fully comprised of volunteers who are either self-advocates, have experience advocating for members of their family, or have a passion for inclusion.
Inclusion Action In Ontario is run by a passionate, dedicated group of individuals who all strive for inclusion within the education system and their respective communities.
Paula Boutis is a municipal and land use planning lawyer working in south west Ontario. She has a strong interest in social justice issues, including working to break down systemic barriers that prevent students with disabilities from fully experiencing educational opportunities free from discrimination. Consistent with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Paula seeks to improve inclusive education practice in the regular education classroom.
“Representatives of [IAO] gave me my first introduction to what a truly inclusive educational experience would look like for students with disabilities. Since discovering it, I have never looked back when it comes to my own daughter’s experience. I have truly come to believe that an inclusive education is the foundation of an inclusive life.”
Gabriela Ortega is an accounting administrator who currently lives in the Niagara region. She joined the IAO board in 2021 as she was looking to advocate for inclusion and make change on a provincial level. While she is an individual advocate for her son, she feels strongly about amplifying self-advocate voices as well as POC voices that are typically overlooked. In her spare time she enjoys hiking, camping, and anything that will get her outside.
“I fight for inclusion because I want my son to love and be himself, and be apart of something that matters. My goal for him is happiness and community.”
“There is no greater disability in society, than the inability to see a person as more” – Robert M. Hensel
Angie Bridekirk has been a member of IAO for over 2 decades, and has been active on the IAO board for many years. Angie has been part of the local IAO chapter in Simcoe County, and represented IAO on the public school board SEAC (Special Education Advisory) for 18 years, as well as serving as chairperson on SEAC for most of those years. Angie has participated in local and provincial planning and advocacy groups and continues to dedicate time in this direction. Angie is passionate about inclusion in school and community and continues with her advocacy. Being a parent of an adult son, living with autism, has most certainly brought experience and knowledge of the strengths families have in driving services and supports and developing community and citizenship. Families create change and drive the direction of services. Angie has worked in the developmental services sector for over 20 years.
“Our children inspire us every day. We witness their quests, their goals, their determination and through this we too gain momentum to pursue the things we believe in and are passionate about. One of these beliefs is inclusion and a community where everyone belongs, and citizenship is for everyone.”
Lisa Flannagan has always been a passionate advocate as a sister, a social worker and a mother of five beautiful souls. Lisa believes the recipe for a more equitable and accessible society is for ALL children to have the choice to grow and learn together in fully inclusive and diverse school communities. She has recently joined the Research & Advocacy Committee of CASE: Coalition for Alternatives to Streaming in Education at MTU on behalf of the board. She is honoured to be part of the IAO community.
“This is for the ones who will continue to push until every barrier falls…Equality sprouts from the branch of equity. Independence is the flower that grows from access. Freedom is rooted in the soil of advocacy” – LeDerick Horne
Cristina Lamonica is a registered social worker, having worked in the non-profit sector with at risk families, in the public education sector, and more recently working in disability services, while also providing therapy services through a small private practice. As a social worker she has been committed to equity, inclusion and social justice for several years. After balancing a career and parenting three children who are now young adults, she would like to dedicate more time to volunteering and giving back to her community through IAO.
“Children and adults with disabilities deserve access to the same resources, opportunities and support as everyone else. Working towards a world where all are treated with respect and justice is one of my life’s goals.”
Donna Vanderkloet is a mother of five currently working as an educator at the college level. Prior to teaching, she worked closely with families of children with intellectual disabilities, assisting them to imagine and pursue full, meaningful and typical lives for their children. Advocating for inclusive education has always been an important focus, both professionally and on a personal level with her own son.