Who We Are

Board of Directors

Thank you to the ACCD Board for its hard work and dedication.

The ACCD board of directors is composed of seven to ten volunteer members representing a cross-section of the disability community. The board of directors is elected from the membership, and representatives come from across Alberta. Once a member has been elected to a board position, he or she is expected to commit to improving the quality of life for people with disabilities and to represent a consumer point of view.

Weslyn Mather
President (Edmonton)

In 2009, Weslyn Mather brought her experience as an educator, an administrator, a registered psychologist, and a politician to ACCD’s Board of Directors.

Weslyn began her work in the education system over forty years ago teaching and counselling at the junior high level in Calgary. Her talent was soon noticed, earning her considerable regard in her field. She is an award-winning educator and counsellor, and she has contributed her expertise to a number of publications and educational productions. Her most recent role in the public education system was as an administrator for J. Percy Page High School, a post she held from 1987 to 2004.

In 2004, Weslyn was elected to public office as a Liberal MLA for Edmonton-Mill Woods. Thanks to her tenacious work for the people in this riding and her unwavering dedication to honesty, fairness, and human dignity, Weslyn garnered a lasting respect that transcends party lines.

Although her term in public office came to an end in 2008, Weslyn is still active in her community. She works with the Canadian Paraplegic Association, the Indo-Canadian Women’s Association, and is a board member at the Centre for Spiritual Living. She is also a member of the Alberta Psychologists’ Association, the Alberta Arbitration and Mediation Society, and the Alberta Retired Teachers’ Association. Despite her retirement, Weslyn remains an educator through her role as an adjunct professor in the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Education.

A professional to the core, Weslyn’s communication, planning, and problem solving skills are a welcome addition to ACCD. When asked what specific skills would serve her best in her role as a director on ACCD’s board, Weslyn said, “I enjoy working as part of a team to problem solve or plan projects, and I appreciate the many resources within a staff. I have an ability to see strengths in others and to therefore realize that they can take on responsibilities and share their abilities for the benefit of others.”

Weslyn, a resident of Alberta for more than five decades, currently resides in Edmonton.

Doreen Gyorkos
Vice President (Lethbridge)

Doreen has served two six-year terms on ACCD’s board of directors. She first joined the ACCD board in 1993 and then again in 2001. She has held the positions of president, vice-president, secretary and director. She has also served six years as ACCD’s representative on the board of directors of the Council of Canadians with Disabilities.

When Doreen first became a member of ACCD in 1993, she was immediately impressed with the organization’s commitment to enhancing community. She also felt the cross-disability nature of ACCD improved her own understanding of the disabilities community by introducing her to people with a variety of backgrounds who were committed to the same philosophies and ideals that she held.

In 1985, Doreen Gyorkos lost her hearing due to a blood clot in the back of her neck. As a result, she was diagnosed as severely hearing impaired. Doreen has been a member of the Lethbridge Branch of the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association (CHHA) for the past twenty years, all of the time serving on the executive. She is a certified Level III instructor of speech reading from the Coping with Hearing Loss Independence Program, and a member of the Senior Health board of the Chinook health region. She has been instrumental in getting changes made within the region to assist hard-of-hearing patients and residents.

Doreen has given presentations to local service organizations, the Lethbridge Regional Hospital, lodges, and nursing homes to educate people on how to treat, identify the needs of, and communicate with hard-of-hearing persons.

Raymond Royer
Secretary (Edmonton)

Raymond joined the ACCD board in 2009. He lives in Edmonton and has two adult sons, Michael and Philip.

Raymond worked as a firefighter with the City of Edmonton from March, 1977 until September, 2007, when he sustained a spinal cord injury.

Raymond also worked as a CPR instructor and instructor trainer with the Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation for much of his career as a firefighter. He became a member of the Canadian Ski Patrol in 1991 and patrolled at Marmot Basin in Jasper from 1997 to 2007. He currently sits on the board of the Alberta chapter of the Canadian Paraplegic Association (CPA) and volunteers as a mentor for individuals who have recently sustained a spinal cord injury.

Raymond says, “I like a challenge and this time I got a good one. I now have two goals in life: to continue on the road of recovery and to help those who have a similar desire.” He believes his involvement with the ACCD board provides him with “yet another chance to learn and grow.”

Earl Snider
Nominating; Treasurer (Edmonton)

Dr. Earle Snider joined the board in 2006; he became the nominating chair in 2009.

Dr. Snider is a professor emeritus (Sociology) and an adjunct professor in the Department of Strategic Management and Organization of the School of Business at the University of Alberta. Dr. Snider has been with the U. of A. since July 1, 1969. His research and teaching have covered a number of topics but most of his work has focused on health issues. A good portion of this work has related to the elderly, people with disabilities, and how to make specific health issues relevant to decision-makers who “have the votes or spend the money.”

Dr. Snider has a personal interest in disability issues; he has two adult sons with learning disabilities. He feels his personal struggles with his sons’ learning problems and the systems in place to facilitate their development when they were children have provided him with first-hand knowledge of the challenges the ACCD board faces.

Donalda Erickson,
Bursaries & Awards (Lethbridge)

Donalda Erickson joined the board in 2007 as a member at large; she was elected as the Bursaries and Awards chair in 2009.

Ms Erickson lives with cerebral palsy, and so has first-hand knowledge of the challenges faced by people with physical disabilities. As well, she has a sibling with Down’s syndrome and is familiar with the challenges he faces.

Ms Erickson has never let her disability get in the way of living her life. After graduating from high school, she undertook post-secondary training at a private college. She has worked as a receptionist in the travel industry and as a volunteer coordinator at the Lethbridge CPA offices. As well, she served as community liaison for the Presidential Advisory Committee on Disability Access at the University of Lethbridge for ten years.

Ms Erickson has traveled to many parts of the world. In her travels, she is often asked questions about the challenges faced by persons with a disability. She thrives on educating the non-disabled community on the many abilities that people with disabilities have. She looks forward to being involved in the decision-making process and in having a positive impact on the disability community.

Harold Crittenden
Director (Calgary)

A resident of Calgary, Harold Crittenden acquired a Diploma of Architectural Technology from SAIT in 1973 and has since enjoyed a long career as an interior designer. In particular, Harold’s interests lie in architectural and interior design as they relate to universal design principles. What spurred this interest is Harold’s use of a wheelchair, which began 9 years ago. Since then, he has become keenly aware of the accessibility issues present in the building industry.

Harold’s involvement with ACCD is preceded by his experience serving on boards and committees, many of which were involved with Calgary’s art and design community. Currently, Harold sits on the City of Calgary’s Access Design Committee, he is part of the Affordable Housing Society Advisory Committee, and he sits on the Calgary Arts Development Association’s Technical Advisory Committee.

Art Erickson
Director (Wabamun)

Recently elected to ACCD’s board of directors, Art Erickson has lived in various parts of the province, including Fort McMurray and the Village of Wabamun, which lies 45 minutes to the west of Edmonton. Art has been married for 31 years, has two children, and has, over his career, been employed in a wealth of different positions. For instance, he has worked as a blaster, an equipment operator, a water quality specialist, and he served in the Canadian Armed Forces as a military policeman. He has also worked for TELUS (and previously AGT) as a communications cable electrician and as a member of the company’s corporate communications team. Art also served as a councillor for the Village of Wabamun and represented the municipality on the Capital Region Board during the development of the Capital Region Growth Plan. Art’s disability is a result of a workplace accident. Since his accident, he has worked closely with the disability community, first (and currently) with the Canadian Paraplegic Association (Alberta); and now as a member of ACCD’s board of directors.

Susann Grodsky
Director (Calgary)

Susann Grodsky has lived in Alberta for 25 years, more specifically, in Calgary, where she and her husband raised 6 children and enjoy the company of 9 grandchildren. Susann was raised in an orphanage in Philadelphia, PA. She remained in the United States and was involved in the counter-culture movement of the 60s and 70s. Sensing that the movement to end the war in Vietnam was having little effect, she joined the United States military, hoping that she could effect change from within. This gave Susann her first taste of being a small cog trying to make changes in a big machine. During her time in the military, Susann learned the importance of discipline and leadership; and, in her own words, she also “got to play with very cool toys!”

Susann’s military career was spent in intelligence, where she was taught to gather information and transform it into meaningful and useful knowledge. By briefing and de-briefing military personnel, she also acquired facilitation skills and developed a love of working the front line.