Reach Canada is a

non-governmental organization A non-governmental organization (NGO) or non-governmental organisation (see spelling differences) is an organization that generally is formed independent from government. They are typically nonprofit entities, and many of them are active in h ...

that helps people with all types of disabilities obtain a lawyer referral. It is dedicated to educating and informing people with disabilities, lawyers and the general public about the rights and interests of persons with disabilities through programs, conferences and seminars. Reach also collaborates in several projects with the Judicial System of Canada.Simpson, Ann (2000) ''Reach: Equality and Justice for People with Disabilities'', Canada.

Caledon Institute of Social Policy The Caledon Institute of Social Policy, also Caledon Institute, is a private Canadian think tank focused on social policy Social policy is a plan or action of government or institutional agencies which aim to improve or reform society. Some p ...

Background

Reach Canada was incorporated in 1981 as a non-profit, charitable organization and is based in Ottawa, Canada. The organization was founded by Rod Carpenter and Ernest G. Tannis to improve the quality of life of persons with disabilities by performing lawyer referrals and educational programs. This NGO has successfully registered around 150 volunteer lawyers, in both the public and private sectors, in the Ottawa region. Lawyers in the private sector provide up to three hours on a pro bono basis to people with disabilities who contact Reach Canada for help. In addition, these professionals volunteer their time to give conferences, seminars and lectures on topics related to disability, legal and social rights of persons with disabilities, among others.

History highlights

In 1983, Justice Rosalie Abella of the Court of Appeal of Ontario, submitted her report on how the Government should respond to

International Year of Disabled Persons The year 1981 was proclaimed the International Year of Disabled Persons (IYDP) by the United Nations. It called for a plan of action with an emphasis on equalization of opportunities, rehabilitation and prevention of disabilities. The slogan of I ...

. One recommendation was that Reach be identified as a community-based model worthy of supporting. In 1985, Paula Agulnik started as a full-time executive-director. She continued in this position for 30 years. Joanne Silkauskas took over as executive director in 2016. In 1986, on the occasion of Reach's fifth anniversary, Gordon Henderson, became Reach's first Honorary Chairperson. 1991 marked the 10th anniversary of Reach under the U.N. theme: "From Awareness to Implementation". Reach Canada hosted a national conference entitled: "Are We There Yet?" In 1996,

Ramon Hnatyshyn Ramon John Hnatyshyn ( ; uk, Роман Іванович Гнатишин, Roman Ivanovych Hnatyshyn, ; March 16, 1934December 18, 2002) was a Canadian lawyer and statesman who served as governor general of Canada, the 24th since Canadian Co ...

, former Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of Canada and former Governor-General of Canada, agreed to become Reach's Honorary Chairperson.http://newdeal.feri.org/FERI/rida5.htm In 1998,

Prime Minister of Canada The prime minister of Canada (french: premier ministre du Canada, link=no) is the head of government of Canada. Under the Westminster system, the prime minister governs with the Confidence and supply, confidence of a majority the elected Hou ...

Jean Chrétien Joseph Jacques Jean Chrétien (; born January 11, 1934) is a Canadian lawyer and politician who served as the 20th prime minister of Canada from 1993 to 2003. Born and raised in Shawinigan Falls, Quebec, Chrétien is a law graduate from Uni ...

received, on behalf of Canadians, the prestigious Franklin D. Roosevelt International Disability Award at the UN after Reach successfully nominated Canada for this award.

Run for Reach

For more than 30 years, in spring, Reach Canada organizes a sportive series of activities in the city of Ottawa. On April 8, 2012, John Stanton - founder of The Running Room and Walking Room and author of eight books - will lead one of the runs along and attend pre-race events.

"This is a sportive event that was first held in 1987 and has grown to include 1400 participants across all of its events. In 2005 and again in 2007, an inline skating race was added along the Queen Elizabeth Driveway in downtown Ottawa."

Reach Canada's Auction

Reach's Auction is: "a high-profile event attended by more than 600 people. A committee of volunteers scours the region for companies and individuals willing to donate items to be auctioned. Additional items are included in a 'silent-auction', in which people submit written bids for items that are displayed. Celebrity auctioneers have included Bruce Gray (a star of the television program Traders), local restaurateur and philanthropist Dave Smith, and local radio personalities." This auction has been present in the social life of Ottawa for over 30 years.

Honorary Chairpersons

Gordon Henderson,

, former General Governor of Canada. and Steven Fletcher have been Reach's Honorary Chairpersons. The current Honorary Chairperson is the Hon. John D. Richard, retired chief justice of Canada's Federal Court of Appeal.https://ottawacitizen.com/Lawyers+often+reach+more+than+money/2144549/story.html

Footnotes

External links

Official Website
*http://www3.sympatico.ca/bigpink/marijke/disability.pdf *http://rollersports.ca/2009/04/29/results-gross-gerau-international-criterium-germany-minto-run-for-reach-ottawa/ {{Disability navbox Organizations based in Ottawa Organizations established in 1981 Disability organizations based in Canada 1981 establishments in Ontario