Advancing Accessibility at the Region of Waterloo

As the Region of Waterloo’s lead for accessibility compliance, Gina guided the organization in meeting and exceeding the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) standards — transforming accessibility from a checklist into a shared value across departments and municipalities.

Serving as the staff liaison to the Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC), a joint municipal committee advising several councils, Gina built strong relationships between municipal staff, elected officials, and community members with lived experience of disability. Together, they shaped policies, facility designs, and service delivery to make programs more inclusive and responsive.

Gina also developed the Region’s first suite of 12 mandatory accessibility training modules, completed by more than 3,000 employees, and implemented systems to track compliance and continuous improvement.

Her leadership strengthened inter-municipal collaboration, elevated accessibility as a cornerstone of public service, and established a lasting governance model that continues to guide equitable design and decision-making across Waterloo Region.