Olga’s Story: Finding Justice with ABLE2’s Reach Legal Referral Services

For Olga, navigating life with a disability has been a constant battle—not just with her physical condition, but with the systems that were meant to support her. Through ABLE2’s Reach Legal Referral Services, she found the legal support she needed to assert her rights and achieve a just resolution to her issues. 

Olga, who has spinal stenosis, struggled with mobility issues and faced barriers at her workplace and in the community. When she approached the Human Resources office to request an accessible parking permit/space, she was told that they could not accommodate her request as they had already allotted more spaces than required. Instead, they suggested she take Para Transpo or purchase a walker. Olga felt dismissed, frustrated and unsupported as she tried to navigate a system that seemed to ignore her needs. 

She then came across ABLE2’s Reach Legal Referral Services (RLRS), a program mobilizing a network of over 200 legal professionals to provide up to three hours of free and confidential legal support for people with disabilities in the Ottawa region.

“After hearing my situation and the challenges I was going through, Reach Legal Referral Services connected me with a lawyer, issued me a certificate and I met with a lawyer free of charge,” says Olga. 

Unfortunately, Olga received a parking ticket despite displaying her accessible parking permit. She appealed against the ticket without success, with officials telling her that having a disability did not “exonerate” her from the fine. With the help of RLRS, Olga challenged the outcome and chose to assert her rights. She stood not just for herself, but for others who could not afford to do so. Olga says, “I chose to go to court, not just for me, but for all the others who have no voice and whose disabilities are ignored.”

For Olga, RLRS served as a steadfast support in challenging an unjust system for people with disabilities. She found her voice, advocated for others, and reminded us that accessibility and inclusivity are rights for everyone, not privileges for a few. 

“What I value most about my relationship with RLRS is that [they] indeed care for individuals like me. They listen and act accordingly,” she says.

Olga’s story is one of many that highlight the value of programs like ABLE2’s Reach Legal Referral Services. For many individuals with disabilities, navigating the legal system is often out of reach due to financial constraints or a lack of resources. Without access to legal advice, their rights can be overlooked, their voices unheard.

As Olga so eloquently puts it: “We’ve come a long way, but there’s still a lot to be done to resolve the many challenges people with disabilities face.”

ABLE2’s Reach Legal Referral Services is a lifeline for many, but we cannot continue this work without your generous support. Every donation helps us connect more individuals like Olga to legal professionals who can provide the guidance and advocacy they desperately need. 

Please consider making a gift today. Your gift will help empower individuals to stand up for their rights and ensure a more just, accessible and inclusive community where everyone is seen as able, important, and valued.