ASC Chair - Background

SOUSAN ZARIBAF - Toronto, Ontario

Interests: Aging with a disability; Arts and Culture; Attendant services; Accessibility; Employment; Housing; Recreation

Background:   As a college student, Sousan formed a Union for Students with Disabilities, organized meetings with administrators and teachers to discuss accessibility on campus, and secured improved services for students with disabilities in the classroom. She served on the Board of Directors of Aldebrain Attendant Care Services of Toronto as Secretary, promoting accessible housing for many years. Sousan participated in successful negotiations with the Ontario Ministry of Housing to secure approval for funding to start construction of an apartment building which integrated wheelchair accessible units with support services in a public community setting. She met with Ruth Grier, then Minister of Health, to advocate the great need for social housing in Toronto.

Since commencing employment at TD Canada Trust, Sousan has been an active participant in the Bank's advocacy and employment diversity programs, recently serving on a panel organized by TD to speak to 50 employers from all industries, explaining the tangible advantages in hiring more persons with disabilities