CTN is proud to celebrate Black History Month by sharing stories and content that highlights Canadian Black history, celebrates diversity and focuses on the challenges and triumphs of Black families in the disability community on our website and social media channels (Instagram, Facebook and Twitter).

So many of our colleagues, clients and families have been directly impacted by the pain caused by the news of racial injustices around the world and prejudices here at home. At CTN, we have zero-tolerance for racism of any kind, in any form. This responsibility belongs to all of us.

Celebrations like Black History Month offer us an opportunity to engage in ongoing conversations around the importance of equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility that stretch well beyond a specific month or day in the year and allow us to give a safe space to our colleagues, clients and families so that they can share their own experiences.

For instance, last year, we highlighted the work of Stephanie Lurch in our Annual Report and as a featured speaker at our OT/PT day in November 2021. Stephanie, who some of you may know as a physiotherapist with our partner, the York Catholic District School Board, is also Academic Lead Equity, Anti-racism and Social Accountability, Department of Physical Therapy at the University of Toronto.  She is an educator, leader, trailblazer and vocal advocate on the intersectionality of physiotherapy and equity. She has spoken candidly about the anti-Black racism she has encountered personally and professionally. In her presentation to our occupational therapy and physiotherapy teams for OT/PT Day, she said “the greatest threat to our profession is willful ignorance and inertia. Knowing racism exists but not doing anything about it-that’s the inertia part."

At CTN, we will not enable inertia. Instead, we will take action against anti-Black racism and support equity, diversity and inclusion. As part of the development and roll out of our new Strategic Plan this year, CTN is looking ahead to developing concrete actions and plans that will inspire meaningful change, amplify the experiences of marginalized people and create a safe space for the diverse communities we so proudly serve.

At CTN, we are committed to this effort.