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In a city as dynamic as Vancouver, BC, Canada, there is a hub of energy that quietly transforms lives, reshaping what connection truly means for people with disabilities. That hub? It’s ConnecTra—bringing people together, amplifying voices and redefining what’s possible. Forget the ordinary. ConnecTra isn’t in the business of doing what everyone else is. It’s carving paths where there were none and turning ideas into life-altering initiatives. And it’s doing it with the kind of heart that makes a city proud.
The Disability Foundation
Under the visionary umbrella of the Disability Foundation, ConnecTra thrives on the belief that engagement—in any form—ignites a spark. As Graeme Wyman, ConnecTra’s Executive Director said, “When people are out and active, it’s not just their physical health that benefits. It’s their entire sense of self.” And that’s what founder Sam Sullivan, a quadriplegic and former Vancouver mayor, envisioned. He believed that “getting people active enhanced their quality of life and helped them deal with isolation,” Graeme shared. The origins of the Disability Foundation are deeply rooted in addressing isolation for people with disabilities.
ConnecTra operates as part of the Disability Foundation Network which is a group of six associations that collectively enhance the lives of individuals with disabilities:
- Tetra Society of North America – Innovating assistive devices through a volunteer-driven approach.
- Vancouver Adapted Music Society (VAMS) – Championing accessibility in music in a fully accessibility recording studio, the only one of its kind in Western Canada.
- Disabled Independent Gardeners Association (DIGA) – Encouraging adaptive gardening in community spaces.
- British Columbia Mobility Opportunities Society (BCMOS) – Offering adapted outdoor activities like hiking, kayaking, and hand cycling.
- Adaptive Sailing Association of British Columbia (ASABC) – Providing accessible sailing experiences.
- ConnecTra – The linchpin for information, resources and community building.
The synergy of these societies allows ConnecTra to promote accessibility in diverse ways, from adaptive recreation to technical innovation. So whether it’s adaptive sailing on the cool waters of Jericho Beach, hiking the rugged trails of Pacific Spirit Park, or strumming a guitar with the Vancouver Adaptive Music Society (VAMS), ConnecTra builds bridges—mental, emotional and social.
The Abilities Expo
One of their flagship programs, instrumental to making connections, is the Abilities Expo. Think of this event as ConnecTra’s annual love letter to the community. Held every year at Vancouver’s Roundhouse Community Center, it is a bustling, vibrant, no-holds-barred celebration of accessibility. With over 50 vendors, dynamic speakers and immersive showcases, this event is a playground of possibilities. And every booth, lecture and performance echoes ConnecTra’s goal to break barriers and build connections.
Community first, always
The organization acts as both a megaphone and a meeting place, promoting not just its own programs but those of countless other organizations. Service Mondays, for instance, spotlight different community groups—from BC Brain Wellness to Accessible Media Inc.—offering resources that might otherwise be hard to find.
Its Accessible Community Forums are another masterstroke. These events dive deep into topics like accessible travel, built environments and the arts, giving people with disabilities the floor—and the microphone. This is not token gestures but real conversations that lead to real change—a lively discussion featuring Tourism BC, Vancour Airport representatives and government officials, all engaging directly with the disability community. That’s the power of ConnecTra.
604 Access
Let’s talk about a game-changer. ConnecTra’s newest brainchild, 604 Access, is poised to revolutionize how Vancouver approaches accessibility. The idea is elegantly simple: assess the accessibility of local businesses, music venues, restaurants and more, then share that information in an easy-to-navigate portal. It’s a win-win: businesses get guidance on becoming more inclusive and people with disabilities gain confidence in where they can go and what they can do.
“We know not every business can be universally accessible,” explains Graeme, “But starting the conversation, educating and making incremental improvements? That’s how change happens.”
The power of partnerships
Beyond the connection with the five organizations under the Disability Foundation Network’s umbrella, ConnecTra is deeply entwined with the BC Spinal Cord Injury Community Services Network (SCI5), collaborating with groups like Spinal Cord Injury BC and Neil Squire to expand its reach and impact.
Corporate sponsors like ICBC have also stepped up, supporting programs that ripple outward into the broader community. And while Connectra doesn’t focus on advocacy per se, it empowers others to do so, offering platforms and opportunities for people to speak their truth.
Beyond the numbers
Impact is tricky to quantify, but it’s palpable in every program, workshop and event ConnecTra hosts. Take their ConnecTogether initiative, born out of the pandemic. It’s an online haven where adaptive yoga, creative writing and life coaching thrive. It’s where someone can log in, feel seen and realize they’re part of something much bigger than themselves.
And then there are the personal stories—like the client who rediscovered music through VAMS, using a specially designed piano stand, or the woman who found her voice (literally and figuratively) in a creative writing workshop. These aren’t just anecdotes; they’re proof of what happens when an organization listens, learns and leads.
Lessons for the world
What can others learn from ConnecTra’s approach? Start with intentionality. Every program, every partnership, every pivot is done with purpose. It’s about showing up, learning from mistakes and constantly asking, “How can we do better?” As Graeme Wyman admitted, “ConnecTra doesn’t claim to have all the answers, but it’s committed to finding them—whether that means purchasing new tech for the deaf and blind community or expanding arts programming for our clients.”
The road ahead
Looking forward, ConnecTra holds the promise of leading the way, showing Vancouver and the world that when you remove barriers, you don’t just make life better for people with disabilities. You make life better for everyone.