Biographies of citizen members of the 2006-2010 York Region Accessibility Advisory Committee

The 2006-2010 York Region AAC is comprised of ten citizen members from across the Region and four members of Regional Council. The majority of the members have a disability. The appointees include:

York Region Chairman and CEO Bill Fisch (ex-officio)
Town of Richmond Hill Regional Councillor Vito Spatafora
Town of Newmarket Regional Councillor John Taylor
Town of Georgina Regional Councillor Danny Wheeler - (Chair of York Region AAC)

Janice Cameron
Margaret Gaukel
Cindy Gorlewski
Beverley Hall
Donna Hardaker
Kirsten Hill
Diana Hordo
Diane Humeniuk
Wilf Morley (Vice Chair 2008)
Trish Robichaud

NEWMARKET – The role of the York Region Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC) is to advise Regional Council on its annual accessibility plans under the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001 (ODA) and to monitor Council's implementation and compliance with standards released under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA).

Janice Cameron brings over 30 years business experience in Human Resources and has worked with many groups including Barrier Free Design, Injury Rehab (brain injury), The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, as a committee member with Industrial Accident Prevention Association and served as a board member of the York Central Hospital Board of Directors. Ms. Cameron is currently a Human Resources Director for a Provincial Agency and her responsibilities include overseeing all aspects of Human Resources as well as implementing legislation including the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001 and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005.

Margaret Gaukel is a Disability Awareness Specialist with a background and training as a Social Worker. Ms. Gaukel is currently serving as Chairperson for the York East Chapter of the MS Society and is a past member of the Board of Directors for the Kingston Chapter of the MS Society and a past Board Member for the MS Society, Ontario Division. As Chair of the Accessibility Advisory Committee for the Town of East Gwillimbury, Ms. Gaukel plays a very active role in advocating for the identification, removal and prevention of barriers to accessibility in her own municipality. Living with MS for 20 years, Ms. Gaukel is well aware of challenges that people with disabilities are faced with.

Cindy Gorlewski (BA-BPHE, BEd, MBA) has a background that includes serving as Chair and Vice-Chair of the Newmarket Accessibility Advisory Committee since its inception and now joins the York Region AAC to share her knowledge, ideas, enthusiasm and experience. Ms. Gorlewski's awareness of and experience with disabilities is augmented through her own daily life with mobility issues, as well as the education gained while serving on a municipal Accessibility Advisory Committee. During her career as a teacher, Ms. Gorlewski also had the opportunity to work with special-needs children. Ms. Gorlewski is continuing to work with her municipal Accessibility Advisory Committee as well as serving on the Newmarket Heritage Committee.

Beverley Hall is an author and playwright. Originally from Jamaica, Ms. Hall decided to move to Canada where she studied Banking and Finance. Ms. Hall also studied International Business, Business Administration and Paralegal studies at Centennial College and Ryerson. Ms. Hall is the former treasurer of the Board of Directors of Ellen McGreal Housing Co-operative in Toronto and is also the founder and past president of the Centennial College West Indian Organization. Ms. Hall is committed to promoting education among women and children.

Donna Hardaker is a Manager and Mental Health Works Specialist with the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) in York Region. Ms. Hardaker brings significant experience in the area of Community organizations, as well as development and implementation of policies aimed at breaking down the barriers and stigma associated with mental illness. Her writing and research on mental health, disability and accessibility issues has been published in several journals.

Kirsten Hill is a member of the Whitchurch-Stouffville Accessibility Advisory Committee and is serving her second term as a member of the York Region AAC. Ms. Hill works as a facilitator providing disability awareness training for municipal staff across York Region. Ms. Hill also volunteers as a peer support leader and outreach speaker with the CNIB, by introducing CNIB clients to the services and aids available. As a facilitator, she is able to draw on her own experience with vision loss to help others. She also facilitates a reading program for children in grade one and has served on a number of parent committees at both the elementary and secondary school levels.

Diana Hordo is a Masters of Critical Disabilities Studies student at York University, building on a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music. In her pursuit of education at York University, Ms. Hordo was involved in a multi-disciplinary study of the positive effects of dance and disability on brain placidity and rehabilitation, combining her love of music and disability issues.

Diane Humeniuk, a member of the 2003-2006 York Region AAC and its first Chair (2003) returns for her second term. Ms. Humeniuk has 35 years of marketing experience and is president of Diane Humeniuk & Associates Inc., a creative marketing firm. Ms. Humeniuk is also President and owner of one of the top 10 spas in Canada. She served 18 years in public service as an elected official both at the municipal and regional levels. Ms. Humeniuk has served on numerous government and community committees, Boards of Directors and held several positions, including with the District Health Council and the former Greater Toronto Services Board. Ms. Humeniuk has extensive consulting experience with various organizations who provide services to both adults and children with special needs.

Wilf Morley, former Chair of the 2003-2006 York Region AAC from 2004 to 2006, is also a member of the Whitchurch-Stouffville Accessibility Advisory Committee and returns for his second term on the York Region AAC. Mr. Morley has a strong knowledge of transit issues and the impact that these issues have on people with disabilities. Mr. Morley is a past President of Whitchurch-Stouffville Mobility Transit and also initiated the first accessible school bus for students in the former York Region Board of Education. In 2001, Mr. Morley received the Citizen of the Year Award for Whitchurch-Stouffville. Mr. Morley also brings a strong knowledge of municipal government to the work of the York Region AAC.

Trish Robichaud was Vice Chair (2006) of the 2003-2006 York Region AAC and returns for her second term. Ms. Robichaud is a founding member of the York North Chapter of the MS Society Board of Directors and was a Board Member for 13 years, serving 4 years as Chair and is now officially the past Chair. Ms. Robichaud was recognized by the MS Society of Canada in 2004 as the top volunteer in Ontario and in Canada. She is also a past long-term Board Member of Georgina Mobility Transit and currently serves as a Patron Member. Trained in supportive counselling, self-advocacy, social action and life skills, she has been providing coaching, counselling and advocacy support to people with multiple sclerosis, other disabilities and individuals who are challenged by life, health and vocational transitions for over a decade.  Minimizing her own MS symptoms through profound lifestyle changes, self-awareness, proper treatment and conflict and stress management, she has lived a very joyful and rewarding life despite her 20-year battle with depression.

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