StopGap Foundation

Watch and learn about the importance of accessible housing! We're honoured to have contributed to this perspective shedding video.

After sustaining a spinal cord injury in 2002, Luke Anderson was all of a sudden introduced to a world that's not well suited for a wheelchair user. His frustration encountering access barriers led him to found the StopGap Foundation, which raises awareness about the importance of a barrier free and inclusive society. In this segment of Underestimated, presented by Oatley Vigmond Personal Injury Lawyers and brought to you by Spinal Cord Injury Ontario , Luke shares his experience with the Accelerating Accessibility Coalition, challenges and progress made. #scio #SpinalCordInjuryOntario #Underestimated #RogersTV #OatleyVigmond

Today is International Day of Persons with Disabilities! Today we call attention to the price attached to inaccessible spaces that extends waaaaay beyond the financial cost of a retrofit, increasing the size of a bathroom by a few extra square feet, or a grading design that eliminates the need for steps. There’s an emotional cost, a fee attached to lost potential for life-enriching experiences. Each day that goes by with existing barriers left unresolved, antiquated design choices fallen back on, and newly built spaces that aren’t even visitable let alone accessible, we collectively pay a price for missed opportunities for connection and harmony.  Want to help make a difference in the lives of 27% of Canadians who identify as having some form of disability? Consider supporting StopGap Foundation. Become a monthly donor, make a one-time donation, or sign up to volunteer by visiting www.stopgap.ca.   Alternatively, bid on one of the amazing artworks (all on ramp shaped canvases) that are a part of StopGap's annual fundraising event, Ramp Up 2024, happening all week. Cast your bids before the auction closes at 7pm this Friday and claim an incredible piece of art that communicates your support for a world where every person can access every space! Link to auction site below. https://lnkd.in/gT9jAHDa

Just a reminder that we have two part time positions open and the deadline to apply is Friday! If you are experienced in Comms or Fundraising we'd love to hear from you :) https://lnkd.in/gcKqjrF2

StopGap is hiring 2 part-time positions: a Development Coordinator and Communications Coordinator! For detailed job descriptions and information on how to apply, check out our website: https://lnkd.in/gcKqjrF2

We are proud to announce our continued partnership with Toyota Canada Inc. and their $100k contribution towards StopGap’s important awareness-raising work! This substantial contribution will play a pivotal role in sustaining our operations and supporting our ongoing awareness-raising efforts. With this funding, we will be able to reach more communities all over Canada, remove more barriers to access, and continue to inspire a collective shift in the way Canadians think about disability and address accessibility challenges. Thank you Toyota Canada for your commitment to creating a more inclusive society where everyone has access to mobility, and for helping us achieve our goal of creating a more accessible world! Click here to read the full press release from Toyota Canada: https://lnkd.in/gHCRCVnG #ThankYou #ToyotaCanada #Accessibility Image description: "Thank you, Toyota Canada for the $100,000 contribution towards StopGap's important awareness-raising work!” in white text on an orange background. To the left is an image of two red StopGap ramps in front of businesses on a street. There are two more StopGap ramps in front of businesses in the distance. The StopGap logo is in the bottom left corner.

Is your company invested in accessibility and inclusion? We want to work with you and support your organization’s diversity, equity, and inclusion journey! Discover our Corporate Team Building activities: https://lnkd.in/g3ZrW_C5 Our engaging team building experiences offer organizations an opportunity to contribute to the removal of access barriers, grow closer as a team, and have fun learning more about accessibility and why it matters to all of us.

Our Executive Director and Co-Founder Luke Anderson is excited to be involved with the Accelerating Accessibility Coalition (AAC) as Co-Chair of their volunteer-led campaign!! The Accelerating Accessibility Coalition is a community of real estate development and accessibility leaders that works to create a more accessible Canada by challenging home builders to make physical accessibility a greater priority. We’ll keep you posted about wins and updates as they happen! The AAC is supported by ULI Toronto. Image description: A group photo of the Accelerating Accessibility Coalition (AAC) committee volunteers at their recent committee kick-off event.

StopGap Foundation began when Executive Director and Co-Founder Luke Anderson identified a pressing need in the City of Toronto: many of the city’s businesses and public spaces are inaccessible due to single-stepped entryways. The StopGap ramp was born as a temporary solution to a problem and a conversation starter to help raise awareness about the importance of accessibility. Over the years, StopGap’s programming has grown around its now iconic ramps - we work to raise awareness about accessibility in a variety of ways. Come along for the ride!

Can you read this font? It's designed to slow you down. We handed out letters to local businesses written in the Inaccessible Font in order to inspire conversations about disability and accessibility. You can check out the letter and more at InaccessibleFont.com.