Tova Sherman is the Founding Director of reachAbility since the agency was established by a local group of volunteers in 2000. Over four years, she built an organization that responded directly and effectively to the needs of our constituents and communities across the country. Under her capable and inspired leadership, reachAbility grew from a fledgling legal referral and education program for persons with disabilities into a dynamic, successful multi-service agency that today also includes employment, education, research and new knowledge initiatives. Tova’s decision, in 2006, to remain as Senior Project Consultant at reachAbility, while building IDEA, allowed the entire community to benefit from her passion and expertise in the field of disability education and inclusion.
There is no question that Tova’s success is based, in no small measure, on her strategic community development work – involving all sectors of the community in addressing the needs of people with disabilities. ReachAbility stakeholders and investors include consumers, health, legal and other professionals and those in the business, employment, government, legislative and research and education sectors.
Tova is determined to lead reachAbility forward by continuing to improve and expand its capacity to understand and then meet the interests and issues of those it serves.
In June 2006, at the 26th Annual YWCA’s Women’s Recognition Event, Tova received the “Community Entrepreneurship Award: Changing the Meaning of Good Business” in recognition of her forward thinking approach in bringing private, public and non-profit communities together in support of a healthier community for all!
As principal of IDEA, Tova has been instrumental in bringing disability training to the mainstream across Canada by providing her expertise to communities that have expressed a need for her no-nonsense, down to earth disability training modules.
Tova’s activities are truly national as IDEA has developed and introduced Disability Awareness Training in both live and e-learning formats. Today she spends much of her time traveling throughout Canada developing and facilitating Disability Awareness Training for government, private and non-profit sectors.
Tova continues to provide her expertise and boundless energy in support of persons with Disabilities across Canada.
IDEA is clearly getting noticed-receiving various honors and awards including; The Nova Scotia Human Right’s Day Award of Excellence, 2008 and Mel Hebb Citizenship Award, 2009.
Tova can be found jumping between her regional television show, Inclusion Revolution and a just completed appearance in the Vagina Monologues. Work is also being finalized on a second publication focusing on first voice experiences of persons with disabilities in the workplace. This book is designed as a “primer” for Employer’s who wish to “break the stigma”.
