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. 

friends with disabilities shaking hands in a sports field

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.

deaf black woman is working at her desk and communicating in sign on a zoom meeting

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

young woman with a prosthetic arm smiles in a park

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

portrait of spencer west. he is a bald man wearing chunky black framed glasses, and a red sweater. he is smiling sitting in his wheelchair

Robin Koczerginski

Program Lead

heather smiles, she has brown long hair and wears a plaid dress

Ratsamy Pathammavong

Accessibility & Inclusion Manager

portrait of maayan ziv

Maayan Ziv

Founder & CEO

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

Andrew Gurza

Disability Awareness Consultant

Andrew Haley

Andrew Haley

Paralympic Swim Champion

Cathy Katrib-Reyes

Cathy Katrib-Reyes

Senior Manager, Equity & Inclusion

CBC/Radio-Canada

Christina Peruzzi

Christina Peruzzi

Pre-employment Coordinator

BALANCE for Blind Adults

David Best

David Best

Digital Communication Accessibility Specialist

BEST

Erica Carson-Sami

Erica Carson-Sami

Founder + Disability and Inclusion Strategist

CARCO Disability Strategies

Honoka Chloe Miyata

Honoka Chloe Miyata

Project Manager

Hotspex Media

Jonathan Marriott

Jonathan Marriott

Director of Partnerships

AccessNow

Juan Olarte

Juan Olarte

CEO

Digita11y Accessible Inc.

Julie Sawchuk

Julie Sawchuk

Principal

Sawchuk Accessible Solutions

Kate Welsh

Kate Welsh

Project Coordinator - Disability Inclusion

Center for Independent Living Toronto

Lawrence Gunther Euteneier

Lawrence Gunther Euteneier

President

Blue Fish Canada

Lisa Franks

Lisa Franks

Public Speaker

Lorin MacDonald

Lorin MacDonald

Founder & Principal

HearVue Inc.

Luke Anderson

Luke Anderson

Executive Director

StopGap Foundation

Mara Lauren Hutchinson

Mara Lauren Hutchinson

Content Creator/TV Reporter

Maria Julia Guimaraes

Maria Julia Guimaraes

CEO

Totum Tech

Mark DeMontis

Mark DeMontis

Chief Accessibility Officer

The Substance Group

Matthew Ayearst

Matthew Ayearst

Ex- Head of Sustainability Management Consulting

CGI Inc.

Matthew Corkum

Matthew Corkum

Meteorologist/Speaker

Micaela Evans

Micaela Evans

Accessibility & Community Engagement Manager

Accessible Employers

Mike Greer

Mike Greer

Sr. Engagement Specialist, Accessibility Certification

Rick Hansen Foundation

Nic DuCote

Nic DuCote

Associate Director of Product Management

EQ Bank

Noah Senecal-Junkeer

Noah Senecal-Junkeer

Co-Founder and Team Lead

Easy Surf

Odelia Bay

Odelia Bay

Co-Founder

Canadian Association of Lawyers with Disabilities

Olena Sullivan

Olena Sullivan

Specialist, National Accessibility Plan

CBC/Radio-Canada

Pradeep Shun

Pradeep Shun

Account Manager - Amazon.ca (Sales)

Kenvue (Johnson & Johnson)

Rachel Desjourdy

Rachel Desjourdy

Accessibility Lead

CBC/Radio-Canada

Ryan Anthony Cowley

Ryan Anthony Cowley

Guest Lecturer, Author

Ryan Corrigan

Ryan Corrigan

Holistic Nutritionist & Wellness Consultant

Harmony Health & Wellness

Samantha Fowler

Samantha Fowler

Disability Inclusion Coordinator

University of Waterloo

Sarah Wang

Sarah Wang

Digital Accessibility Analyst

CBC/Radio-Canada

Yasmine Gray

Yasmine Gray

Race and Disability Community Educator

Unity Health

Erin Clark

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. 

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Let’s Learn Together.

Questions? Email us at the AccessStudio.

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