We’ve all been inspired by the Paralympics and seeing world-class approaches to overcoming real & perceived disabilities and obstacles. Learn from those with lived experience sharing their coping mechanisms, mindsets and motivations. 

People living with disabilities often have firsthand insight and experience in disability advocacy, and continue to navigate systemic barriers that impact their access to opportunities across communities, workplaces, schools, and beyond.

Bringing these conversations to your audience is essential for fostering understanding and creating inclusive environments where everyone can thrive.

From professional athletes to activists, these featured speakers bring unique perspectives and powerful stories of resilience. They share their journeys of overcoming adversity, offering your audience valuable lessons on perseverance, inclusion, and empowerment.

Keep the Paralympic inspiration alive this fall! With December 3rd marking the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, consider one of these speakers to offer powerful perspectives on overcoming obstacles and important topics like safety, occupational health, inclusivity, and more.

Speakers on Disability Advocacy, Diversity, and Inclusion

Amy Purdy 3x Paralympic Snowboarding Medalist, Actress & Model Amy Purdy has defied the odds throughout her life to accomplish some extraordinary things. She grew up with a passion for snowboarding and travel, and despite fighting for her life and losing both of her legs below the knees to Bacterial Meningitis at the age of 19, her passion for life carried her. She’s become the most decorated US Paralympian in snowboarding, and has participated in The Amazing Race, Dancing with the Stars, a Superbowl commercial, and a speaking tour with Oprah! Amy’s beauty inside and out has made her a household name through countless interviews, articles and public events. She has inspired millions of people through her TED talk, motivational speeches and social media platforms with her “Live Inspired” message. Read more about Amy

Benveet “Bean” Gill Runway Model of Diversity, Paralysis Recovery Pioneer Benveet “Bean” Gill is a self-proclaimed ‘trifecta of discrimination’ as a woman of colour, with a visible disability, on a mission to uncover the ugly parts of bias & inspire courageous conversations. At the age of 30, Bean was forced to find her way through an inaccessible society when a virus paralyzed her from the waist down. Today, Bean shares with audiences her personal journey into rebuilding her life and regaining her strength. She is the star of “PUSH”, the original unscripted CBC docuseries that takes audiences into the world of “Wheelie Peeps,”, the reigning Miss Wheelchair Canada, and co-founder of ReYu Paralysis Recovery Center.  Read more about Bean

Candace Carnahan Health & Safety Motivational Speaker Lauded as one of the “Faces of the Future” by Maclean’s magazine, Candace Carnahan uses her unique life lessons to inspire us to dismantle the roadblocks that hinder efficiency, while celebrating the attitudes and behaviors that promote success – whether personal or professional. Candace lost the lower half of her leg in a workplace incident and has since travelled the world with her message of ‘courage to care.’ Read more about Candace

Jim Kyte First Legally Deaf NHL Player Jim Kyte is a champion for accessibility and his community. He is also an example of perseverance in overcoming obstacles.  In 2024 he was appointed as a member of the Order of Canada:  “Jim Kyte is renowned as the first deaf player in the history of the National Hockey League. Throughout his career, he championed the rights of athletes with physical disabilities to achieve greater accessibility and inclusion in sports. Off the ice, he has been a role model to others as a volunteer with numerous charities, an advocate for disability rights, and a distinguished voice for Deaf and hard of hearing Canadians.” Read more about Jim

Kevin Rempel Canadian Paralympian, Hero Mindset Speaker Kevin Rempel has surmounted incredible life-challenges to reach the Olympic podium and now to bring his powerful message of hope and resilience to audiences through his speaking and writing. Kevin Rempel is a World Champion and Sochi Paralympic Medalist in sledge hockey with an incredible story of overcoming a tremendous amount of adversity after being in injured in a motorcross accident. He shares his Hero Mindset with audiences across the country. Read more about Kevin

Spencer West Social Activist, Visionary & World Change Warrior The life of visionary and activist Spencer West has been marked by both obstacles and triumph. After losing both legs from the pelvis down at the age of five, he entered a world that might have easily defeated him. Instead, he tackled challenge after challenge, learning to navigate in a world set against those with disabilities. His many accomplishments and lessons learned along the way, led him to discover the techniques business leaders, professionals, educators and young people can use to redefine possible in their own lives and careers. Read more about Spencer

Talli Osborne Punk Rock Optimist Inspiring Change from Within Talli is known in many circles for her work in inspirational speaking and in helping others by inspiring change within themselves. She was born with some physical challenges but was raised with the belief that she could do anything she set her mind to, and this determined attitude is exactly how she lives her life. Read more about Talli

Jesse Hirsh Futurist & Digital Strategist An experienced innovator and collaborator, Jesse Hirsh’s passion is educating people on the potential benefits and perils of technology. Jesse helps audiences understand what the future holds for them by sharing strategic, provocative and often humorous forward-thinking insights. He makes the discussion about new technology accessible and empowers groups to embrace the opportunities available to them in this technological age, especially at the forefront of sustainable living and accessibility, and through the lens of someone who identifies with a chronic illness disability. Read more about Jesse

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