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A new Executive team and Communications and Partnerships Director at NEADS! Ottawa, February 24, 2025

The National Educational Association of Disabled Students (NEADS) Board of Directors and staff met in Ottawa from January 25-26 for a productive retreat of planning and discussions related to ongoing project work and advocacy priorities to best serve university and college students with disabilities in Canada. During the meeting which included 10 board members and 5 staff from across the country, the board selected its new Executive. Stephanie Evans, NEADS Newfoundland and Labrador Director is now our Chairperson;  Elizabeth Doherty, NEADS Nova Scotia Director becomes 1st Vice-Chair;  Selali Tettevi, NEADS Saskatchewan Director remains in the Treasurer role; Adam David, Alberta Director continues to serve the board as Past-Chair. In the coming weeks we'll announce a Secretary and second Vice Chair.

Isabella Fiore attended her first NEADS meeting on staff as our new Communications and Partnerships Director. Isabella (they/she) is a 21-year-old based in Ottawa. She is wrapping up her undergraduate degree in Political Science and Feminist and Gender Studies at University of Ottawa and is looking towards graduate studies in the future. Isabella enjoys taking long walks, cooking, and spending time with friends and their cat. Isabella joined NEADS because she is passionate about accessibility in post-secondary education and wants to build bridges between student leaders to advocate for access needs on their campuses. Isabella succeeds Carly Fox in this position. Carly is now moving on to a graduate studies program at Carleton University.

Here's some background information about the NEADS leadership team on the board:

Stephanie Evans: Stephanie Evans, (she/her)  a passionate advocate for mental health and disability rights from St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. Her recent graduation with a degree in social work has only deepened her commitment to making a difference in her community and beyond. Stephanie's personal experiences have fueled her dedication, and she is currently focused on establishing her private practice to support individuals navigating the complexities of mental health and disability.

In her free time, Stephanie is also a nature enthusiast. She finds joy and tranquility in the great outdoors, engaging in activities like hiking, walking, and participating in various sports. Her strong belief in the healing power of nature is not just a personal conviction, but a message she passionately shares with others, encouraging them to incorporate physical activity into their mental health journey.

Stephanie's dedication to advocacy is not just a personal commitment, but a professional one as well. Her extensive volunteer work is a testament to her dedication. She has been actively involved in multiple boards, including her significant role as the social work representative for the MUNSU student union. In this role, she fought for paid placements and supported students in their educational ventures, showcasing her professional competence and dedication. Currently, she serves as the disability representative for the Canadian Federation of Students Newfoundland and Labrador, advocating for the rights and needs of students with disabilities. Additionally, Stephanie is a proud member of the Wavemakers Advisory Board and the Dawn Canada Hummingbird Network, where she shares important insights to encourage positive change.

As the new chairperson for NEADS (National Educational Association of Disabled Students), Stephanie is not just a passionate advocate, but a leader driving transformative change for disabled post-secondary students. She aims to continue advocating for their rights, support job programs for new graduates, and foster an inclusive educational environment.

Elizabeth Doherty: Elizabeth (she/her) has lived in Fredericton, New Brunswick, for the past twenty years. She is currently a Post-Degree Bachelor of Social Work student at St. Thomas University, after earning her BA in 2022. Elizabeth is passionate about social justice, with a strong focus on research, advocacy, and policy. In 2023, she completed a social action field placement with the New Brunswick Coalition of Persons with Disabilities and is actively involved in advocacy work with various non-profits and patient groups both provincially and nationally. Her final field placement with the NBASW included supporting projects for the Social Work Recruitment and Retention Strategy.

Living with a rare form of Muscular Dystrophy and other complex health conditions has provided Elizabeth with unique insights into navigating support services and agencies in her province. She has a fifteen-year-old son and a fifteen-year-old stepdaughter and enjoys spending time with her loved ones and watching stand-up comedy. Elizabeth has greatly valued her role as the New Brunswick Director with NEADS and looks forward to contributing to impactful changes for students, both today and in the future.

Selali Tettevi: Selali is completing her Master’s Degree at Thompson Rivers University and comes from Saskatchewan. Her current research focuses on the use of innovative social entrepreneurship training programs as a successful vocational rehabilitation option for persons with disabilities. She is keenly interested in social entrepreneurship, innovation, and organizational behavior. Selali is actively involved in helping to improve the quality of life of persons with disabilities as she serves on the Board and Accessibility Committee of the Spinal Cord Injury Association of Saskatchewan and the Service Committee of the CNIB DeafBlind Community Services. She loves to give back to society and has volunteered with several non-profit organizations, including Nevy Language and Immigration Services, the African Association of Saskatchewan.

Adam David: Adam is a first-year medical student at the University of Alberta and currently serves the NEADS board as Past Chair and Alberta Director for almost 7 years. Passionate about disability advocacy, Adam is part of a working group with the Assistant Dean of Assessment at the University of Alberta to improve the experiences of disabled students in the medical program. Adam also manages a disability blog called Be In My Shoes, where he posts podcasts and interviews leveraging the voices of disabled folk and showcasing their immense strength. In his spare time, Adam loves to roller skate, play scary video games, and spend time with his friends and family.

For further information:

National Educational Association of Disabled Students (NEADS), Rm. 514 Unicentre, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, K1S 5B6

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