Working with a Communication Assistant

Register Details Team < Back

Working with a Communication Assistant: 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.

Dan Watson

My name is Dan Watson. I am a theatre artist. I work with a lot of folks who have communication disabilities. I am also the father of three and my oldest son, Bruno has a communication disability. He uses a communication book. I believe being a communication assistant is very important because everyone deserves the right to be heard and to be listened to.

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.

Sarah Kilpack

My name is Sarah Kilpack. I work as a personal support worker and a communication assistant for Anne Abbott. I had no experience doing either when I started working with Anne years ago. Since then I have become a fluent communication assistant – which was very hard work to learn but very rewarding.

Tony Diamanti

I’m Tony Diamanti. I live in Toronto. I am a writer and actor. I have written a number of plays that reflect my experiences as a man with communication disabilities. I have been advocating for communication assistance services for many years.

Casey Morrison

I’m Casey Morrison from Collingwood, Ontario. I am on Collingwood’s Accessibility Committee to make Collingwood to be more accessible. I am also a volunteer at the Collingwood’s Public Library.

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.

Other CDAC team Members

Videographer: Sean Story

Consultant: Diana Kinslikh