BOARD OF DIRECTORSOur IAI Team consists of parents of children with disabilities, advocates and educators. At our recent Annual General Meeting for Members, a new Board of Directors was elected. If you’d like to become involved with the board or committees, please let us know!
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President
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Paula Boutis is a municipal lawyer working in south west Ontario. She has a strong interest in social justice issues, including working to break down systemic barriers that prevent students with disabilities from fully experiencing educational opportunities free from discrimination. Consistent with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Paula seeks to improve inclusive education practice in the regular education classroom.
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Vice-President
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Aliza is a consultant with over 15 years of project management, change management and process improvement experience. Aliza is passionate about human rights and spends much of her free time advocating for families with children who are excluded for their differences instead of accepted and included.
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Secretary
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Natasha Lai is an entrepreneur and works to support and coach families. She joined IAI in 2017 because she is passionate about meaningful inclusion for people from marginalized communities of all abilities at all stages of life, from early education, through to adulthood. She has participated in many workshops, conferences, and training opportunities on teaching children with complex communication needs.
THE PHILOSOPHY OF INCLUSION NEEDS TO BE WIDESPREAD, COMMON KNOWLEDGE. Since my son’s preschool years I have been exposed to the philosophy and benefits of creating aN INCLUSIVE life for him where he is a valued member of the community at all levels, whether at school, THE local COMMUNITY, or beyond. |
Treasurer
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Angie has been a 2 decade long time member if IAI, and active on the board for many years . Angie has been part of the local IAI chapter in Simcoe County, and represented IAI on the public school board SEAC (Special Education Advisory) for 18 years, and serving as chairperson on SEAC for most of those years. Angie has participated on local and provincial planning and advocacy groups. Angie is passionate about inclusion in school and community, promoting we all have strengths to share, and we learn from each other. Angie has worked in the developmental services sector for over 20 years.
Our children inspire us every day. We witness their quests, their goals, their determination and through this we too gain momentum to pursue the things we believe in and are passionate about. One of these beliefs is inclusion and a community where everyone belongs, and citizenship is for everyone. |
Ex-Officio Director
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Don Richardson is an Environmental Consultant, working as a Managing Partner in Shared Value Solutions Ltd. He has been an IAI member for several years and serves as a SEAC representative for IAI in the Upper Grand District School Board. He is a father of two kids with disabilities and joined IAI to connect with other families and promote inclusion in schools and school boards.
Don Richardson is an Environmental Consultant, working as a Managing Partner in Shared Value Solutions Ltd. He has been an IAI member for several years and serves as a SEAC representative for IAI in the Upper Grand District School Board. He is a father of two kids with disabilities and joined IAI to connect with other families and promote inclusion in schools and school boards. |
Past President
CLAYTON EATON
Clayton Eaton, Ph.D., has worked for the Ontario Ministry of Education as a Teacher of the Blind and as a Vision Resource Consultant for Students with Visual Impairments. He currently provides educational consultation and support for students with visual impairments registered in schools in the Province of Ontario. He has an adult daughter with cerebral palsy who continues to live at home after leaving high school. The family pursued a case to the Supreme Court of Canada to have the right for Emily to attend her neighbourhood school in the regular classroom. This has become a landmark case for defining the rights of people with disabilities under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Clayton has been a member of IAI for 20 years and has served on the board of directors for 12 years, 8 years as a president.
Read more about Clayton and his family here.
Read more about Clayton and his family here.
Bookkeeper
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Ian Rowett is a retired registered social worker and property manager. He has a tremendous, 40-year experience in working in the charitable sector including non-profit housing. Currently IAI’s bookkeeper, Ian formerly served as president and treasurer and has been with the organization for 33 years. He is a father of Jaclyn who has Down Syndrome. He joined IAI to find support for the right of his daughter to be in a regular class in the neighbourhood school with her brother.
Read more about Ian and his family here. |
