Meet the 2026 EKO Scholars
September 08, 2026
An inclusive society contributes to the innovative thinking and approaches that are core to our success across the public, not for profit, and private sectors. Yet those with disabilities and developmental needs are underrepresented in the workforce. That is why Empowered Kids Ontario is determined to support promising young Ontarians with disabilities and developmental needs realize their education and career goals. “For 15 years the EKO Scholarship has been providing support so young Ontarians who have received developmental healthcare by our members can further their education and make an impact in their chosen fields and on our collective welfare,” says EKO President & CEO Jennifer Churchill. “Beyond financial assistance, EKO Scholars are offered opportunities to gain access to peer connections, and a supportive community that helps foster long-term success.”
Today we are pleased to announce the 2026 EKO Scholars:
Catherine Derouard from Kenora is the 2026 EKO Indigenous Scholar. Catherine is pursuing her Bachelor of Science in the Physical, Earth, Math and Computer Sciences Group at McGill University.
Chelsea Kulawic from Lincoln is in the Honours Neuroscience Program at Brock University.
Chipp White from Thunder Bay is enrolled in the Fashion Arts and Design Program at Seneca Polytechnic.
Ciara Pelletier Leboeuf is from Sault Sainte Marie. Ciara is studying Emergency Communications at Cambrian College.
Liam Pickells from Brampton recently completed Sheridan College’s Welding and Fabrication Technician Program; this fall is at Conestoga College’s program for Welding Engineering Technician – Robotics.
Kara Doherty from Douro Drummer is a Pre-Med student at Loyalist College.
Jocelyne Hewitson is from Brantford. She’s now pursuing degrees in both education and speech therapy at Université Laurentienne.
Hayden Tange from Burlington is at Trent University’s Journalism and Media Studies program.
“The EKO Scholarship helps break down barriers to education and empower kids with disabilities and developmental needs to achieve their academic and personal goals,” says EKO Chair Kevin Collins. “We strongly believe that supporting the next generation fuels innovation and drives broad societal impact. We are excited to support our EKO Scholars and see the profound impact they will have on their communities, on Ontario and across Canada.”
EKO Scholarships provide recipients with a $3,000 contribution to the cost of post-secondary education at a college, Indigenous Institute, university, or career training program. The next open application period will begin in December 2026. More information, including the link to the application portal once it opens, can be found on EKO’s Scholarship page.
Fast Facts: Individuals with Disability and Developmental Needs Underrepresented in Canada’s Workforce
About 62% of working-age adults (aged 25 to 64) with disabilities are employed, compared to 78% of those without disabilities. Workers with disabilities are twice as likely to experience low-quality or precarious jobs, such as temporary, part-time, or gig work. Source: Statistics Canada
In 2024, a year when labour market tightness was generally easing across Canada, the proportion of the population who are employed fell by 0.7 percentage points to 46.4% among persons with disabilities. A notable drop in the employment rate was recorded among youth aged 15 to 24 with disabilities (-6.9 percentage points to 45.0%), with declines observed among both young men (-7.7 percentage points to 39.7%) and young women (-6.5 percentage points to 49.2%). Source: Statistics Canada
Employees with disabilities tend to have lower wages than employees without disabilities. These differences stem from various factors, such as the industries in which the two groups are employed and the share of employees working full-time or part-time. Source: Institute for Work and Health
Due to slower wage growth among employees with disabilities (+4.6% to $33.42 per hour) compared to their peers without disabilities (+5.3% to $35.64 per hour), the gap in average hourly wages between both groups widened from $1.91 in 2023 to $2.22 in 2024. Source: Institute for Work & Health
People with disabilities in Canada are not only less likely than people without disabilities to find work. When they do, they are also more likely to find themselves in lower quality jobs. Source: Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation
There is a 72% higher employee retention rate among people with disabilities. And 92% of consumers favour companies that hire people with disabilities. Source: Ontario Disability Employment Network.