Making your services accessible for people with communication disabilities

Making your services accessible for people with communication disabilities: Team

Our team members are experienced in either using or providing communication assistance. They will be guiding you through the Communication Assistance course.

Anne Abbot

My name is Anne Abbott. I am an artist, a writer and an advocate for people like me who have communication disabilities.Within my full and active life, I sell my artwork in-person and online; write a personal blog, and manage my own attendant services. I also take care of my two kittens Sherlock and Watson.

Farrah Sattaur

My name is Farrah Sattaur. I am an advocate for people with disabilities. I like to educate the public about those us who have communication disabilities. I have worked on a number of CDAC projects.

Kevin Bolianatz

My name is Kevin Bolianatz. I am an attendant and provide personal support services for Sam Savona.

Sam Savona

My name is Sam Savona. I’m an advocate for people with disabilities. I sit on many boards and committees. Other than that, I do a lot of community work.

Barbara Collier

Barbara Collier is a founding member and Executive Director of Communication Disabilities Access Canada (CDAC). She is a Speech-Language Pathologist and Augmentative Communication Clinician with extensive experience working with people who have significant speech, language and communication disabilities. She has worked as a clinician, educator and researcher and has headed up CDAC’s socially innovative projects relating to communication accessibility, human rights and social justice for people with speech, language and communication disabilities. In 2013, Barbara started up communication intermediary services across Canada. She is the primary author of CDAC’s resources and training programs. Barbara is the author of a number of peer reviewed publications and is a frequently invited speaker at national and international conferences. In 2010, Barbara was honoured as a Fellow of the International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication. In 2016, on behalf of CDAC, she was awarded the David C. Onley Award for Leadership in Accessibility and in 2019, she was awarded the honors of the Ontario Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists.

Shelley Deegan

My name is Shelley Deegan. I recently retired as a Speech-Language Pathologist from the Technology Access Clinic at Hamilton Health Sciences. I worked in the field of Augmentative and Alternative Communication for 40 years. I am pleased to be the moderator on this Communication Assistance Course.

Jason Jang

I'm Jason Jang, Web Developer for CDAC. I have over a decade of experience in web and software. I am also a musician, taco chef, and student of chinese medicine. I'm happy my efforts with CDAC will provide help to so many.

Laure Préchonnet

My name is Laure Préchonnet. I have been working for many years as a French translator with Communication Disabilities Access Canada.

Megan O'Connor

Megan O'Connor provides communication assistance for Anne Abbott.

Other CDAC team Members

Videographer: Sean Story

Consultant: Diana Kinslikh