NextGen
disability leadership
NextGen is a 6-week personal leadership program to empower disabled youth. Through transformative learning, the program fosters employability and innovation by nurturing disability advocacy and inclusion.
Our Program
The AccessStudio: NextGen program transcends traditional employability training, focusing instead on cultivating visionary leaders with disabilities.
Inspired by the spirit of self-starters and entrepreneurs, participants of NextGen move through a series of educational modules and community mentorship, while simultaneously building out real-world capstone projects. The goal is to not only develop skills for future entrepreneurial pursuits or employment, but also build confidence and experiences as future disability leaders.
Topics Covered
Advocacy & Leadership
Public Relations & Marketing
Social Media & Technology
Budgeting & Project Management
Community Engagement & Action
Live Lectures
Interactive live lectures delivered by industry experts, offering firsthand insights and practical knowledge.
Mentors
Professionals across various fields, providing personalized guidance, support, and invaluable industry connections.
Guided Reflections
Guided reflections to solidify learning, build new relationships and motivate sustained advocacy.
Weekly Format
Live Learning Sessions
Dive into weekly content led by AccessStudio staff and guest speakers; tune into live virtual lectures, workshops, and discussions.
Connect with Peers
Learning doesn’t happen in silos. Each week participants collaborate, discuss, reflect, and share with peers through online engagement.
Individual Work
Each program participant will develop a capstone project of their choice. Projects are designed to demonstrate key skills and passions, and act as a portfolio piece to showcase at graduation.
Mentorship
Program participants will get the opportunity to connect with disabled mentors. These informal conversations will give folks the chance to learn from leaders in the community.
Mentorship
Participants have the chance to engage with a variety of subject matter experts, ranging from disability leaders to corporate inclusion experts and more. This mentorship opportunity enhances the learning journey to support a deeper understanding of the DEIA field, opening doors to a world of possibilities and relationships.
Capstone Project + Grad
Each participant works on a Capstone Project alongside learning throughout the program. The project is an opportunity for participants to apply skills, learning, and personal passion into a portfolio piece that they can showcase to potential employers. Participants choose their own project, with guidance from the AccessStudio team and community mentors.
Projects will be showcased during a live Graduation to members of AccessStudio’s community.
Example Projects
Documenting the accessibility of your city
Organizing an advocacy campaign around a specific issue
Developing a product/event/service that addresses a problem
Creating an online personal brand and developing strategic content
Program Details
When: May 13, 2024 – June 21, 2024
Time Commitment: 20 – 25 hours a week for 6 weeks.
Where: This program will be entirely run online. Participants must have access to a computer and internet connection.
Who: Disabled Canadian youth between the ages of 18 – 30.
See eligibility requirements below.
Why: Participants will develop real-world skills, grow a network of like-minded peers, build upon their professional portfolios, and get access to financial supports.
Program Eligibility
- Identify as someone with a disability.
- Be a Canadian citizen.
- Be able to dedicate 20 hours a week to the program.
- Have access to a device with an internet connection and webcam.
The AccessStudio: NextGen program is designed to be accessible to a diverse group of participants with disabilities, primarily through virtual platforms. We are able to provide customized accommodations to ensure success in the program to those who require it.
Application Process
Application Form
Fill out the application form on the AccessStudio website.
Short Personal Essay
Tell us why you want to be a part of the NextGen program.
Interview
Meet with one of our staff to get to know you better.
Meet the Team
NextGen Class of ’24
We are proud to introduce the exceptional individuals who have completed the NextGen program. Each graduate has demonstrated their own leadership in addressing a problem area during their time with us.
Projects are showcased during a live Graduation to members of AccessStudio’s community and on each participant’s own social platforms.
Mentors
Andrew Gurza
Disability Awareness Consultant
Andrew Haley
Paralympic Swim Champion
Cathy Katrib-Reyes
Senior Manager, Equity & Inclusion
CBC/Radio-Canada
Christina Peruzzi
Pre-employment Coordinator
BALANCE for Blind Adults
David Best
Digital Communication Accessibility Specialist
BEST
Erica Carson-Sami
Founder + Disability and Inclusion Strategist
CARCO Disability Strategies
Honoka Chloe Miyata
Project Manager
Hotspex Media
Jonathan Marriott
Director of Partnerships
AccessNow
Juan Olarte
CEO
Digita11y Accessible Inc.
Julie Sawchuk
Principal
Sawchuk Accessible Solutions
Kate Welsh
Project Coordinator - Disability Inclusion
Center for Independent Living Toronto
Lawrence Gunther Euteneier
President
Blue Fish Canada
Lisa Franks
Public Speaker
Lorin MacDonald
Founder & Principal
HearVue Inc.
Luke Anderson
Executive Director
StopGap Foundation
Mara Lauren Hutchinson
Content Creator/TV Reporter
Maria Julia Guimaraes
CEO
Totum Tech
Mark DeMontis
Chief Accessibility Officer
The Substance Group
Matthew Ayearst
Ex- Head of Sustainability Management Consulting
CGI Inc.
Matthew Corkum
Meteorologist/Speaker
Micaela Evans
Accessibility & Community Engagement Manager
Accessible Employers
Mike Greer
Sr. Engagement Specialist, Accessibility Certification
Rick Hansen Foundation
Nic DuCote
Associate Director of Product Management
EQ Bank
Noah Senecal-Junkeer
Co-Founder and Team Lead
Easy Surf
Odelia Bay
Co-Founder
Canadian Association of Lawyers with Disabilities
Olena Sullivan
Specialist, National Accessibility Plan
CBC/Radio-Canada
Pradeep Shun
Account Manager - Amazon.ca (Sales)
Kenvue (Johnson & Johnson)
Rachel Desjourdy
Accessibility Lead
CBC/Radio-Canada
Ryan Anthony Cowley
Guest Lecturer, Author
Ryan Corrigan
Holistic Nutritionist & Wellness Consultant
Harmony Health & Wellness
Samantha Fowler
Disability Inclusion Coordinator
University of Waterloo
Sarah Wang
Digital Accessibility Analyst
CBC/Radio-Canada
Yasmine Gray
Race and Disability Community Educator
Unity Health
Erin Clark
Performance Artist
General Questions
Why should I take this program?
- You are looking for meaningful employment.
- You want to gain valuable leadership and communication skills.
- You want to build your experiences for your professional profile.
- You want to build a portfolio.
- You want to be a leader in the disabled community.
What type of educational format is this program?
This education is less like reading a textbook and more like engaging in real-world discussions and experiences about disability leadership. Modules, lectures, workshops and discussions are meant to be dynamic spaces.
Will I get a certificate of completion at the end of the program?
Yes! Each participant who successfully completes the program will get a certificate of completion that can be put on a resume or LinkedIn profile.
What is the time commitment for the program?
The program is a 6-week commitment. You should expect about 20-25 hours of dedicated time to the program each week.
Is this program entirely online/remote?
While the program is delivered entirely online, there is a requirement to take your learnings out into your community. All of the learning content delivered in the program is done online, including virtual live events, and peer-to-peer discussions.
How much does this program cost?
The program is completely free!
What are the requirements for the program?
- You must have access to a device with an internet connection and webcam.
- You must identify as someone with a disability.
- You must be a Canadian citizen.
Let’s Learn Together.
Questions? Email us at the AccessStudio.
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