Catherine Gardner has over 40 years’ experience working with seniors and persons with disabilities, either in both paid and volunteer positions. She is well known by community members, including individuals, municipal and provincial elected officials, and members of community organizations who provide services for persons with disabilities for her commitment to working to improve safe and equal access for persons of various abilities. Since 2009, she has been a board member of STRIDE Assistance for the Disabled, and a volunteer office manager for STRIDE Wheelchairs Plus Recycling Depot. She is a past member and chair of the City of Ottawa Accessibility Advisory Committee, as well as a past member of the MS Society Social Action Committee. In 2010, she was nominated for the City of Ottawa Civic Appreciation Award and, in 2013, for the Celebration of People Awards for Advocacy. She also received the 2012 MS Society 2nd Annual Avril Gunter Leadership in Advocacy Award. Catherine Gardner graduated from Health Services at Algonquin College (1988), and later as a developmental services worker (1993), social services worker (1995) and personal support worker (1998).