IMAGINE THE POSSIBILITIES
The Abilities Centre Ottawa will be a fully-integrated, inclusive, multi-purpose and accessible recreation facility designed to meet the needs of ALL individuals and families.
What's Up
Wheelchair Basketball Tournament
The first ever National Capital High School Wheelchair Basketball Tournament took place on Friday, June 3rd, at Carleton University. This tournament showed so much talent and sportsmanship from the seven schools that participated in the event by bringing students of all abilities together to play wheelchair basketball.
Canadian Tire Jumpstart for the Sport Relief Fund
We are thrilled to have been selected by Canadian Tire Jumpstart for the Sport Relief Fund!
We are excited to announce that Abilities Centre has been selected by Canadian Tire Jumpstart to receive a grant from their Sport Relief Fund.
Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities Announce Five-Year Partnership
OTTAWA – In its first step to establish programming in a new community and recreation centre, the Abilities Centre Ottawa and Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities announced a long-term partnership in support of children and youth, regardless of ability, to engage in a life of sport and physical activity.
The Abilities Centre Ottawa, was scheduled to be a major component of the proposed redevelopment of LeBreton Flats. The scheduled build was to be fully integrated, fully accessible, inclusive, multi-purpose recreation and community facility for people of all ages and all abilities.
Moving forward Abilities Centre Ottawa continues to create opportunities, run programs and events in and around the National Capital Region as it seeks to find an alternate location or solution to ensuring the National Capital Region a community facility for people of all ages and all abilities.
View The Interviews on CTV News
A big heart for a good cause
Will Riley and his family continue to surprise us!
Abilities Centre Ottawa wants to acknowledge this very special member of our community! William Riley is 15 years old and has been running Will’s Bottle Drive in support of the Abilities Centre Ottawa for 5 years! Over the course of five year’s, he has raised $10,643.15 for the organization!
We want to thank Will for his commitment, his dedication, his kindness and his generosity!!!
Please read this article detailing William Riley's journey!
To obtain any additional information please contact the Riley’s at willsbottledrive@hotmail.com
The ACO Facility
The centerpiece of Ottawa's Abilities Centre will be the Field House.
Our Team
The Abilities Centre Ottawa Board of Directors is committed to our mission and vision, and to a sustainable Abilities Centre
Board of Directors
Todd Nicholson
Todd Nicholson spent 23 years as a player on the National Paralympic Sledge Hockey Team (Retired), including serving as Captain for 15 years. Todd competed in 5 Winter Paralympic Games, numerous World Championships and international tournaments. He has competed international for 6 sports in both summer and winter at the National and International Level. Todd is a former governing Board Member for the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and Chairperson of the IPC Athletes Council from 2010 to 2018.
For more than 30 years Todd has been a leader in the Paralympic movement nationally and internationally. Todd is the recipient of many prestigious awards, including the Queen's Golden and Silver Jubilee medals, Paralympic Gold, Silver and Bronze medals, was inducted into the Ottawa Sports Hall of Fame, Canadian Disability Hall of Fame and received the Athletes Can Leadership Award to name a few. Todd currently is a board member with the Abilities Centre Whitby and Chairperson of the board for Own The Podium.
Collinda Joseph
Collinda Joseph has been working in the area of disability advocacy and accessibility to the built environment for over 25 years.
Collinda has been a volunteer at the local, provincial and national level. She is currently sitting as a full voting member of the Canadian Standards Association B-651 Technical Committee on Accessibility of the Built Environment. Outside of the area of the built environment, Collinda's committee participation has included the Algonquin College Board of Governors, the Celebration of People Steering Committee, the City of Ottawa Accessibility Advisory Committee as well as several others.
Collinda was awarded the Community Leader Award in Memory of Cathy Kerr in 2014 and in 2013 she was a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.
Dr. Robert Glossop
Dr. Robert Glossop worked with the Vanier Institute of the Family as a cultural observer studying the dynamics of 'family'. The answers he found shed light on our nation's economy, social trends, culture and, ultimately, our prospects. His writings, speeches, and analyses have addressed a broad range of themes relevant to today's society. He is the recipient of the Lawson Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005, Honorary Doctorates from the University of Guelph and Trent University and he was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2008.
Katie Richardson
Katie grew up in Stittsville, just outside of Ottawa. She attended Scared Heart High School. Following high school, she obtained her BBA with a concentration in Accounting and a minor in Mathematics from Bishop’s University. Katie currently works as a full time accountant at Kelly Huibers McNeely. Katie is currently working towards obtaining her CPA designation.
In her free time, Katie enjoys hiking, skiing and travelling with my family and friends. Katie is excited to give back to the community through her work with Abilities Centre Ottawa.
Carol A. Theoret-Douglas
Carol A. Theoret-Douglas is passionate about providing exceptional care and experiences for children, adolescents, adults and their families. She worked in healthcare for 36 years providing direct services and administration, in both the private and public sectors.
Carol is well respected for her collaborative, inclusive, committed and innovative style. Throughout her career she was involved in research projects as well as collecting data and evaluating outcomes for informed decision making.
Carol is excited to participate in the development of an integrated system to advance the wellbeing of people of all ages and abilities.
Mark Byron
Mark Byron is a professional engineer, with over 30 years of experience in a variety of industrial sectors such as power generation, telecommunications, microelectronics, and renewable energy technologies. His primary interest was assisting to develop new technologies and products, and bringing them to successful commercialization. This required a unique set of skills to bridge the technology-market gap, and bring together a varied group of partners with diverse interests to form a committed and focused team.
Mark has been an active and enthusiastic participant and organizer in a wide variety of wheelchair sports for almost 40 years, competing both recreationally and competitively, nationally and internationally. He is a strong believer in using sports and physical activity to enhance our daily lives, regardless of any perceived disabilities or limitations.
Staff
Emily Glossop
Executive Director
Emily Glossop dedicated almost 20 years of her career to the Ottawa Children's Treatment Centre and CHEO working as a Recreation Therapist with children and youth with multiple physical, developmental and associated behavioural needs.
She is a former member of the Canadian Para-Alpine Ski Team serving as guide skier to one of Canada's top vision-impaired skiers, (Retired) and winning many World Cup Medals. She is also a motivational speaker, giving talks locally, nationally and internationally on the importance of physical activity for all, overcoming obstacles and following your dreams.
Emily is the recipient of the Order of Ottawa, Paul Harris Fellow Award and the Growing Up Great Award for Stable and Nurturing Relationships. Emily is extremely excited about her new role as Executive Director of Abilities Centre Ottawa and is dedicated to continually advocating for inclusion and equal access for all.
Contact Abilities Centre Ottawa
#204 - 1339 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON
Canada
K1Y 3B8
Tel: (613) 222-3207
abilitiescentreottawa@gmail.com