My Story

I’m Elsa Lalonde (she/her). Through my own personal experience as a person with a disability, I became particularly interested in disability rights issues, accessibility and intersectionality.  

 

In 2019, I graduated from the University of Ottawa with a Bachelor of Criminology. I also attended Ryerson University, where I studied Critical Disability Studies. 

 

In 2021, following extensive training through Carleton University and the Rick Hansen Foundation, I successfully earned my Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification Professional (or RHFAC Professional) credentials. Following the completion of my certificate, I have seized every opportunity to expand and grow my knowledge in the field. 

 

As a wheelchair user, I have extensive first-hand experience of navigating societal barriers. Moreover, I have worked in the disability policy and legal sectors for over 7 years; thus, I bring a unique skill set and approach to accessibility. 

 

I began working in disability and accessibility policy in 2014. Since then, I have worked on extensive research and analysis of national and provincial/territorial accessibility laws to support the drafting of the Accessible Canada Act. I have an in-depth understanding of policy systems and processes and how they are applied in everyday life. For example, policies have different impacts and implementations for individuals, businesses, developers, non-profits, and municipal and provincial/territorial governments. 

 

I founded Elle Accessible because I recognize a gap in accessibility, disability and intersectionality resources for the private and public sector and non-profit organizations. My services are tailored to my client’s needs and address crucial accessibility and human rights needs within infrastructure and build environment.