TOPIC: Masterminding the Future in Accessible and Affordable Housing

Introduction By: Ava Williams, Associate, TR Law

SPEAKER: John Groe; CEO, Accessibility Consultant at Accessible Daily Living (ADL); President of DriveLab Inc. (DLI).

The need for affordable accessible housing is an immediate and present concern for those who are living with a brain injury. Currently, there are no program that address the specific barriers persons with brain injuries/cognitive impairments experience when navigating housing. Increased poverty rates combined with an inability to effectively communicate issues in regard to rent payments, tenancy and so forth leave persons with cognitive challenges/ABI increasingly vulnerable to evictions. To our knowledge there are no programs that seek to bring awareness on the symptoms of brain injuries and how an individual can support those with cognitive impairments to fully participate in society and be successful in the rental market.

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SPEAKER BIOGRAPHY:

Mr. John Groe is the CEO, Accessibility Consultant at Accessible Daily Living (ADL) and President of DriveLab Inc. (DLI). He is responsible for all areas related to Accessibility and Business Development for ADL and DLI.

Mr. Groe has spent most of his career working hands on in both the medical/rehabilitation and Insurance industries. He has extensive knowledge of rehabilitation having worked in one of Canada’s top Trauma and Orthopaedic Hospitals for more than a decade. He is a founding and current council member for Home Modifications Canada (HMC). HMC is an affiliate to the Canadian Home Builders Association, educating, advocating and creating awareness for accessibility, ageing in place and residential modifications.

Mr. Groe is certified as a Professional Consultant on Ageing through CPCA Canada along with Executive Certification in Home Modification (ECHMP) Senior Living (SLEC) through the Leonard Davis School of Gerontology at the University of South California. Mr. Groe has recently been appointed, International Faculty for the USC – Leonard Davis, creating the first online continuing education program (ECHMP) for residential accessibility in Canada.

Mr. Groe held the position of Vice-Chair, Accessibility Advisory Committee for the Town of Caledon from October 2018 – October 2022. In 2021, Mr. Groe initiated the ‘Treat Accessibly” campaign in Caledon, Ontario bringing awareness to accessible Trick or Treating for all. On October 31, 2021 The Village of Bolton, in Caledon became the second City in Ontario close a municipal road and implementing accessible measures for trick or treating.

In December 2021, Mr. Groe was appointed by the Honourable Raymond Cho, Minister for Seniors and Accessibility as a Director with the Retirement Home Regulatory Authority (RHRA) of Ontario.

Presented by BIST Corporate Platinum Sponsor