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, it is expected that they will commit to improving the quality of life of persons with disabilities and represent a consumer point of view.

Scroll down the page to learn more about our current board of directors.

Dave Storey
President (Grande Prairie)

Dave joined the ACCD board in May 2008 and served as Vice President until May 2009. He was elected president in May 2009.

Dave has lived in Grande Prairie since 1992. He and his wife Heather have three adult children and six grandchildren. In 1996, he was diagnosed with spinal stenosis; he has been a wheelchair user since 2001.

In October, 2007, Dave was unsuccessful in his bid for the position of alderman for the City of Grande Prairie in the civic elections; however, he remains active in the community by attending seminars which pertain to universal accessibility and other disability issues. Dave also attends city council meetings and city committee meetings where he lobbies the city council on accessibility issues for persons with disabilities. In April, 2008, Dave made a presentation to the City of Grande Prairie Public Works Committee regarding bylaw enforcement of signage on disability parking stalls.

In November, 2007, Dave was appointed by city council to the Grande Prairie Public Library Board of Directors. He is also involved with the Community Committee for Disability Issues (CCDI) and was asked to chair a new subcommittee, the Committee of Accessibility Issues in Grande Prairie.

Dave is an active member of his community and has volunteered on numerous boards, including a two-year volunteer commitment on P.A.C.E. Crisis and Suicide Prevention Line. He is also a member of the Canadian Paraplegic Association and the Disabled Transportation Society, and a past member of the Keremeos Lions Club and the Mackenzie Kinsmen Club.

Weslyn Mather
Vice 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.

Ray 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.”

Maryetta Thielen,
Treasurer (Milk River)

Maryetta first joined the ACCD board in 1997 and served as treasurer from 2001 to 2003 when her term ended. She joined the board again in 2005.

Maryetta lives in Milk River and has been an advocate for people with disabilities for years. Currently, she is focusing her energy on Persons with Developmental Disabilities, Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped, and assisted living facilities, especially for 18–40 year olds. In 2007, she was involved with an initiative to convert an empty senior citizens apartment in Coutts, Alberta into assisted-living apartments. Her grandson, Jonathan, has moved into the building, complete with 24-hour care, and is doing very well. She looks forward to others making use of the facility.

Since 1988, Maryetta has successfully worked to educate her district school board and other parents regarding the need for funding and services for children with disabilities. She and Jonathan were awarded the 2004 CCD Award for their work in this area. Maryetta served on the Calgary Diocesan Council of the Catholic Women’s League for 20 years, including two years as president and two as treasurer. She believes strongly in recognizing the contributions that all individuals make to society.

Earle Snider,
Nominating (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.

Doreen Gyorkos
Director (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.

Judy Hellevang
Director (Calgary)

Judy joined the ACCD board as a director in May 2009. She hopes that groups like ACCD will be listened to in a meaningful way and, through her participation on the board, to inspire members to act—not just listen.

For almost twenty years, Judy has worked in a variety of volunteer and paid positions at the Developmental Disabilities Resource Centre of Calgary (DDRC). In her various capacities, Judy has served tirelessly and has found no task too big or too small.

She started at DDRC as a volunteer involved with recreation services. (After all, she did win gold medals for Alberta in Para Olympics Sports events!) Eventually, she held a position on the DDRC board, and now she volunteers as a coach/mentor for the organization’s advisory committee, a committee she helped establish about ten years ago. The advisory committee is comprised of individuals with developmental disabilities and acts as an advisor both to the DDRC board and to the DDRC administration.

Through her time at DDRC, Judy has become best known as a dedicated and relentless advocate. She has advocated for children in day cares, school age students, and families. Through her efforts, many individuals with disabilities have been able to participate more equitably and fully in society.