Reach Canada is a Non Governmental Organization 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.

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 200 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. 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 continues in this position today.

In 1986, on the occasion of Reach's 5th 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, former Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of Canada and former Governor-General of Canada, agreed to become Reach's Honorary Chairperson.

In 1998 Prime Minister of Canada, Jean Chrétien

Jean Chrétien

Joseph Jacques Jean Chrétien , known commonly as Jean Chrétien is a former Canadian politician who was the 20th Prime Minister of Canada. He served in the position for over ten years, from November 4, 1993 to December 12, 2003....

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

Minto Run for Reach

For more than 20 years, in spring, Reach Canada organizes a sportive series of activities in the city of Ottawa.

“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 almost 30 years.

Honorary Chairpersons

Gordon Henderson, Ramon Hnatyshyn, former General Governor of Canada and Steven Fletcher

Steven Fletcher

Steven John Fletcher, PC, MP is a Canadian politician. He has served in the Canadian House of Commons since 2004, representing the riding of Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia as a member of the Conservative Party. He is the first quadriplegic to serve in the House of Commons, as well as in Cabinet...

 have been Reach's Honorary Chairpersons

The actual Honorary Chairperson is the Hon. John D. Richard, retired chief justice of Canada's Federal Court of Appeal

Alfredo Garcia 15:06, 14 July 2009 (UTC)

External links

• Official Website
• http://www.caledoninst.org/Publications/PDF/1-894159-87-X.pdf
• http://www.ottawa.ca/residents/accessibility/accessibility_plan_highlights_en.html
• http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/cs/comm/hrsd/news/2004/040405.shtml
• http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/ncfv-cnivf/links/disabl-eng.php
• http://www.crimepreventionottawa.ca/uploads/cpo08-layout7-e-web1.pdf
• http://www2.literacy.bc.ca/resourcs/newresc/resfal06.htm
• http://www3.sympatico.ca/bigpink/marijke/disability.pdf
• http://www.commonlaw.uottawa.ca/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2355&contact_id=327&lang=en
• http://www.commonlaw.uottawa.ca/en/pro-bono/full-page-content/pbsc-partner-organizations-for-2005-2006.html
• http://inter-pares.ca/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=203&Itemid=38
• http://rollersports.ca/2009/04/29/results-gross-gerau-international-criterium-germany-minto-run-for-reach-ottawa/
• http://www.ottawaevents.org/event_details.php?id=4279
• http://www.ottawacitizen.com/Lawyers+often+reach+more+than+money/2144549/story.html