- m
- T
Rose’s Story
My name is Rose. I live with Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia (audio, visual, and numeric), Cluttered Speech Disorder, and Executive Functioning Disorder. These challenges are a daily reality, but they don’t define me.
Against the odds, I earned a diploma from OCAD and an Honours Bachelor of Arts in English and Visual Art (Dean’s List). I was able to succeed thanks to educational accommodations—but outside of school, support for people with disabilities is far too limited.
Throughout my life, I’ve been dismissed, insulted, and excluded because of my disabilities. I’ve been called names like “retard” more times than I can count. What hurts even more is not the word itself, but the lack of real systems of support that would give people like me dignity and equal opportunity.
That’s why I’ve spent much of my life as an activist:
• 1995 – I created an art exhibition about my experiences with Dyslexia.
• 2016 – I presented a petition to the Ontario Legislative Assembly, calling for disability accommodations in public institutions. This petition received three readings in legislature.
• 2017 – I became one of the first people in Ontario to receive limited accommodations in small claims court, setting an informal precedent for including speech pathologists in legal proceedings.
But we still need real, legally binding protections to ensure equal access and fair treatment for people with disabilities.
________________________________________
Why I’m Asking for Help
In 2022, I began a small claims case involving my personal safety and security. In 2023, I pursued the matter in Ontario’s Superior Court—without a lawyer and without disability accommodations.
To fight for change, I’ve had to request a precedent-setting motion that could establish formal accommodations for people with disabilities in Canadian courts. If successful, this precedent could ripple outward, helping ensure accessibility and dignity not just in courts, but also in government offices, hospitals, police interactions, and more.
But pursuing justice comes at a heavy cost.
• I’ve already been charged $5,650 for a previous court motion.
• I live in poverty and have no way to cover the growing financial burden of this fight.
• Without support, I risk losing the ability to continue a case that could bring lasting change for countless people with disabilities.
________________________________________
How You Can Help
I am asking for your support to continue this legal battle. Every contribution will go directly toward covering court costs and related legal expenses.
This is not just about me—it’s about setting a precedent that will open doors for people with disabilities across Canada. Your support will help ensure that people like me can navigate the legal system with fairness, dignity, and justice.
Thank you for reading my story, and for standing with me in this fight.
I was the first person to ever acquire accommodations in civil court, but I could be the last if I don't keep advocating for disability rights.
Please see the video below highlighting the details of my struggle.
Please consider signing my petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario: https://c.org/pkwpPGGc9T