StopGap Foundation

Meet Amy, StopGap’s new Operations Manager! Amy joined StopGap as Operations Manager in 2026. She has worked in the environmental non-profit sector for over a decade, taking on a range of program management and operations roles along the way. Her experience spans program strategy, operations, event planning, facilitation, fundraising, and communications.

Amy operates on the belief that a truly sustainable world can’t happen without truly inclusive spaces. She is excited to bring her non-profit experience to support StopGap’s mission and its multi-dimensional approach to building more accessible communities.

Outside of StopGap, Amy is active in climate change education and engagement work. One project close to her heart is climate comedy songwriting, as she believes that creativity and laughter can be a powerful force for building more resilient communities.

When prompted about her favourite access practice, Amy says she appreciates when events have designated spaces to take breaks from sensory stimulation. “When I’m at events with large crowds, it’s really reassuring to know there’s a space available to sit down and calm my nervous system for a few minutes if I need to.”

Here’s to an access-making newcoming with Amy!

Many of you have been asking about our Co-Founder and Executive Director. You may have noticed we have been a little quieter than usual.

Luke has been experiencing some health challenges and has been uncharacteristically offline while he navigates appointments and procedures. We are very pleased to say that he is doing much better and looking forward to being back in the world of StopGap very soon.

This experience has highlighted—for Luke and the whole team at StopGap—a part of accessibility awareness we don’t often talk about. Living with a disability involves so much more than making sure our spaces have ramps. People with disabilities often have many, many appointments, changing medical needs, and complex schedules. Things like going to work or taking your kids to soccer practice, for example, often involves a dozen additional details and supports to coordinate that non-disabled folks may not even consider.

This invisible labour can slow us down at exactly the wrong time. It’s also a reminder that accessibility is about more than just ramps. It’s about making space for and accommodating individualized needs.

What does this mean for StopGap? Well, over the past few weeks, we had to delay a few projects, miss events, and decided not to pursue a grant due to reduced capacity. Prioritizing health is worth it every time, but having to pause or slow down is an unfortunate reality for an organization led by people living with disabilities. It has a real impact on the work.

Which also means: we need your support

If you are in a position to make a financial contribution to StopGap as we rebuild our momentum, we would very much appreciate it. Please consider a donation of any amount:

https://stopgap.ca/get-involved/donate/

Thank you, from the all of us at the StopGap Foundation family.

Call for Board of Directors Members 📣

Invested in StopGap's mission to forge spaces founded on and for collective access? Join our Board of Directors to support us in creating a world where every person can access every space.

We’re looking for a Treasurer and a Member at Large. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Interested candidates can apply directly through our website: https://stopgap.ca/board-recruitment-2026/

[ID: Against an orange background graphic, title text reads “we’re recruiting for our board” and sits alongside a yellow megaphone illustration]

Happy National AccessAbility Week!

This week, we celebrate the progress being made toward more accessible and inclusive communities while recognizing the work that still lies ahead.

At StopGap, National AccessAbility Week is a reminder that accessibility benefits everyone and we all have an important role in creating the change we want to see in our communities. Every conversation about inclusion, every barrier removed, every ramp installed, and every advocate who speaks up helps create communities that feel more connected and harmonious, where everyone can participate fully.

Thank you for being part of this growing movement. Your support, enthusiasm, and commitment to accessibility continue to inspire us and help create meaningful change all over Canada.
Together, we're building a future where access isn't the exception, it's the expectation.



Image description: Text reads “Happy National AccessAbility Week!” in a white stencil font over a photo of four StopGap ramps. From left to right, the ramps are painted green, blue, red, and yellow. StopGap Foundation’s logo is located at the bottom right of the graphic.

June 2026 update: Both positions have been filled. Thank you to everyone who expressed interest in working with us!
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StopGap Foundation is hiring for 2 part-time positions!

➡️ Operations Manager
➡️ Communications Coordinator

Location: Virtual and occasionally on-site at 192 Spadina Ave. in Toronto, ON
Application Deadline: Applications will remain open until the positions are filled
Start Date: Spring/Summer 2026 (TBC)

For more info, visit https://stopgap.ca/hiring-2026/

Please share with anyone you think might be interested and a good fit! 😊
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Image description: Graphic with an orange background. Text in the middle says "We're hiring!" in a white stencil font that has overspray around it. Below the text is StopGap Foundation's logo in white.

Pushmakers is excited to collaborate with Lakeshore Arts for Wheels on Parade, supporting wheelchair users in creating functional living art out of their wheelchairs! Join us in participating in a pageant at the upcoming Mimico Arts Jam on June 20th!

Workshops:
🗓️ Saturdays, May 23 & June 6, 2026
🕕1-4PM
📍Crossroads Theatre, Weston Common (34 John Street, Unit B., York)

Final Performance:
🗓️ Saturday, June 20, 2026
🕕Time to be confirmed
📍Amos Waites Park (2441 Lake Shore Blvd. W., Etobicoke)
🔗Register now: https://lsa2422.short.gy/WoP26

Questions? Email Shay at [email protected]

All participants will receive honoraria
Both manual and power wheelchair users are welcome
Workshop location is wheelchair accessible, with accessible washrooms and PSW on site
Indoor workshops are mask mandatory, outdoor presentation is mask optional

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