Bonnie Brayton

National Executive Director DisAbled Women's Network (DAWN) Canada

  • Montréal QC

Ms. Brayton is a strong leader in both the feminist and disability movements

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Biography

Did you know that women with disabilities form the largest minority group in the world? Indeed, according to a 2010 World Health Organization report, this group is more than half a billion strong. Bonnie Brayton is well aware of those numbers and has been waging a campaign for inclusion rights for Canadian women with disabilities.

Ms. Brayton, a strong leader in both the feminist and disability movements, has been the National Executive Director of DAWN Canada (DisAbled Women’s Network of Canada) since 2007 when the organization established a national head office in Montreal. This national, cross-disability feminist organization has focused on advancing the rights of women with disabilities and Deaf women in Canada and Internationally for the past 30 years.

During her tenure with DAWN Canada, Ms. Brayton has worked diligently to highlight key issues that impact the lives of women with disabilities in regards to health equity, housing, employment and violence. For example, she has strongly promoted the representation of women with disabilities in policy changes from the employment sector to the justice sector, and is at the forefront of addressing systemic barriers at all levels.

Ms. Brayton’s commitment to women with disabilities spreads further than her office. She is also the President of Coup de Balai – Clean Sweepers, an innovative social enterprise which provide home care services to people with disabilities and seniors in her Montreal community while creating employment, income and job security for women who were previously unemployed (primarily, immigrant and racialized women).

Bonnie Brayton credits her leadership success to being passionate about and inspired by her cause and the women who benefit from her tireless work. As she says, being able to push for what you know is right is fun (most days!) Learn from Ms. Brayton’s wisdom and experience at the conference as she talks about making inclusion a standard practice, overcoming roadblocks, listening to advice and, when it comes right down to it, going with your gut.

Industry Expertise

Health and Wellness
Women
Non-Profit/Charitable

Areas of Expertise

Public Speaking
Fundraising
Event Planning
Civil Rights
Education
Human Rights
Inclusive Practices

Accomplishments

Visionary

2014-09-01

In September 2014, Ms Brayton was selected as one of 23 women leaders in Canada to describe their vision for the country's future. Selected from more than 200 nominees, 23 aspiring and established leaders contributed to an anthology, participated in a Women’s Leadership Conference and collaborated on a shared vision for Canada’s future.

http://aboldvision.ca/visionaries/

Affiliations

  • Coup de Balai – Clean Sweepers : President

Languages

  • English
  • French

Media Appearances

Equality Means Acknowledging Marginalized Women, Too

The Huffington Post  online

2016-03-08

How many Canadians today will be thinking about women with disabilities when they think about women's equality?...

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Look at sex trade and exploitation through disabilities lens: advocate

The Telegram  online

2015-10-16

“The notion of survivor sex is not new for women with disabilities, that’s for sure,” said Bonnie Brayton, the national executive director at DAWN, the DisAbled Women’s Network of Canada. DAWN works to advance the rights of women with disabilities...

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Parents With Disabilities: These Moms Live In Fear Of Losing Their Kids

The Huffington Post  online

2015-05-10

Bonnie Brayton, who heads DAWN, suggests improving support in the early stages as well. “Mothers with disabilities have unique parenting needs, including adapted cribs and change tables for mothers with physical limitations and flashing baby monitors for mothers with hearing impairments,” she says...

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Event Appearances

Key Note Speaker

Ending Violence Association-BC Annual Training Forum 2014  Vancouver, British Columbia

2014-11-06