Board of Directors
ARCH is guided by a dedicated and committed volunteer Board of Directors. ARCH’s Board of Directors is consumer-controlled and more than half are people with disabilities.
Paul Scotland, Chairperson
Paul was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario with the neuro tube birth defect, Spina Bifida & Hydrocephalus. He holds an Honours, Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from York University and graduated from the University of Ottawa, Faculty of Law.
He has an interest in promoting and growing equality seeking groups and wants to see the disabled community continue to visibly advocate for breaking down barriers that impede accessibility to a society and environment responsive to equity, diversity and inclusion everywhere!
Robert Barber, First Vice-Chair
Robert Barber is a tribunal adjudicator, licensed paralegal, and authorized family legal services provider. Robert is the CEO of Prevail Paralegal Services, a paralegal firm with offices across Ontario. Robert serves as an adjudicator with the Health Services Appeal and Review Board, CPA Ontario Tribunals, the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians and the Human Resources Professionals Association (Complaints Committee).
A passionate volunteer, Robert has served as a Community Councillor for the Niagara Region Métis Council and currently represents the Métis Nation of Ontario on Indigenous Education Committees at Brock University and Niagara College. Robert is a Paralegal Coach with the Law Society of Ontario’s Coach and Advisor Network, serves on the Paralegal Program Advisory Committee for a private career college, and is a member of Legal Aid Ontario’s Paralegal Working Group. Robert has spoken and chaired a number of Law Society of Ontario professional development programs, primarily focusing on residential tenancy law.
A life-long learner, Robert holds a BA from Brock University (2011), a Paralegal Diploma with Honours from Mohawk College (2019), a Certificate in Adjudication from Osgoode Hall Law School (2025), a Managerial Finance certificate from the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management (2025) and LEAN Six Sigma certification from the University of Windsor (2024).
Robert enjoys exercise and lives in St. Catharines with his wife and children.
Dolly Menna-Dack, Second Vice-Chair
Dolly is the Senior Bioethicist at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, the Manager of Bioethics, Spiritual Care and Youth Engagement Strategy, and the Interim Vice-Chair of the Research Ethics Board.
She is particularly interested in pediatric rehabilitation issues that arise in both clinical care and research with children and youth with chronic illness and disabilities. Dolly was the first former patient to join the SickKids Research Ethics Board as a Community Member and has held progressive leadership positions on REBs since, including Ethics member, Vice-Chair and Interim Chair. Dolly has over fifteen years’ experience on pediatric research ethics boards, acute and rehabilitation focused boards as well provincial review boards.
Dolly is a nationally and internationally sought after leader in Lived Experience roles and has been the Youth Engagement Strategy Lead at Holland Bloorview since its inception in 2012. Dolly has extensive experience training and supporting youth and young adults in advocacy and partnering in the areas of service & care delivery, teaching & education of healthcare providers, clients & families, as well as research and policy.
Dolly’s own lived experience of growing up with a physical disability led her to advocate for a Lived Experience role on the clinical healthcare teams. Dolly created the Youth Facilitator role, which has been Ministry-funded since 2006 at Holland Bloorview. She also supported the implementation of the Youth Facilitator role at Toronto Rehab, UHN.
Michael Samakayi, Treasurer
Michael is a passionate advocate for diversity with a strong commitment to creating inclusive work environments. Currently working as an Employment Consultant at Canadian Hearing Services and services as the President Deaf Youth Canada, Michael brings a deep understanding of how to transform corporate culture, ensuring it is positive, inclusive, and supportive of all individuals. He is highly engaged, intuitive, and collaborative, with a proven track record of executing multiple projects with integrity and excellence.
Michael’s passion for promoting accessibility and equity is reflected in his diverse experience, including advocating for the promotion of ASL classes at the University of Toronto under the Linguistics department. As a graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Toronto, Michael has demonstrated his dedication to both his academic and professional pursuits. His lifelong dream is to run for public office, where he aspires to further his impact on creating equitable and inclusive environments for all. He has a strong analytical ability to deliver tailored solutions that drive social impact within communities and has successfully created and implemented diversity and inclusion initiatives across various organizations.
In his free time, Michael loves to volunteer within the Deaf community, where he continues to make a significant impact. His strategic thinking, strong communication, and leadership skills make him a valuable asset in any role focused on advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Bernard Lyons
Bernard Lyons is a Financial Services Professional based in London, Ontario, with expertise in Investment, Insurance, and Seed Funding. He holds a BBA from St. Francis Xavier University and manages Relapse Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) through diet and exercise. Currently, he serves as a Director at Quebec-based Signature Group Financial, and his previous experience includes roles with HSBC Securities Canada, Merrill Lynch (Canada), and Wood Gundy. Deeply engaged in his community, Bernard contributes as a member of the Finance & Facilities Committee for the Thames Valley Community Centre (TVCC), supporting children and youth with disabilities and developmental needs, and also volunteers as an assistant high school football coach in London, mentoring young athletes and fostering teamwork.
Claudette Paul
Claudette has been on other boards for at least 5 years total. She has lived experience living on reserve for 11 years and work experience on reserve for 15 years. On and off reserve, she has been an advocate for marginalized indigenous people including those with disabilities in such roles as a National Aboriginal Drug and Alcohol Program worker (addictions worker), an Early Childhood Educator, a Family Support worker, an Aboriginal Best Start Service Connector, and her current role as an Indigenous Student Advisor. She continues to advocate for those that need her to be their voice.
Emily Macklin, Toronto
Emily is an experienced educator, equity champion, and dispute resolution professional dedicated to human rights, systemic accountability, and advocacy. Currently serving as an Executive Officer and Lead Negotiator for the Elementary Teachers of Toronto (ETT), Emily brings more than two decades of public sector experience, labor relations expertise, and community-focused leadership to her work.
Throughout her career, she has been a fierce advocate for fair working and learning conditions, inclusion, and the protection of individual rights within complex institutional systems. Her extensive experience navigating regulatory frameworks is backed by robust professional credentials, including a Qualified Arbitrator (Q.Arb.) designation, Master’s degree in Applied Psychology and Human Development, and an Osgoode Certificate in Education Law. She is deeply well-versed in human rights accommodations, workplace safety, and alternative dispute resolution, mapping directly onto ARCH’s strategic priorities in educational and workplace advocacy.
As a neurodivergent professional, she brings vital lived experience to her advocacy, grounding her work in an authentic understanding of navigating institutional and systemic barriers. She recognizes that true accessibility requires dismantling both invisible and visible barriers.
Grounded in principles of intersectional equity and social justice, Emily is eager to leverage her background in policy governance, advocacy, and consensus-building to advance the legal rights of persons with disabilities across Ontario.
Kathryn Underwood
Dr. Kathryn Underwood is a professor in the School of Early Childhood Studies at Toronto Metropolitan University. Dr. Underwood’s interests are in disabled children and their families’ experiences and contributions to our understanding of social services, social life, and society. The focus of her program of research has been on how constructions of disability in early childhood programs and care, early intervention, and health and social service contexts are used to organize children, with particular interest in intersectional identities of all disabled children. Dr. Underwood has conducted a number of studies that focus on parent viewpoints and the work of families to engage with institutions.
Logan Wong
Logan identifies as a trans, bi-racial, Autistic wheelchair user and is a social worker & equity, anti-racism, anti-oppression, & accessibility professional. He currently works at McMaster University as a research assistant/coordinator within the School of Rehabilitation Sciences and is an entrepreneur and the owner of IDEAA Perspectives Training & Consulting.
Natalie MacDonnell
Natalie MacDonnell holds a Bachelor of Arts and Science and Political Science from McMaster University and is a graduate of the Joint Master of Environmental Studies and Juris Doctor Program at Osgoode Hall Law School and York University.
Natalie was called to the bar in Ontario in 2015 and has practised in diverse areas of law and settings. Earlier on in her career, Natalie was a Staff Lawyer with the Hamilton Community Legal Clinic and Halton Community Legal Services and completed a clinical placement with the Human Rights Legal Support Centre.
Natalie is passionate about disability rights, accessibility and access to justice.
Norah Dillon-Cheetham
Norah Dillon-Cheetham (she/her) has an Hons. B.A. from the University of Ottawa and an M.Ed. from the University of Toronto. Norah is a proud member of the disability community.
During her time at the University of Ottawa she worked as an advocate for students with disabilities and in the federal Office for Disability Issues on youth labour market entry. She worked for over 5 years at the Human Rights Legal Support Centre on the intake team on a large body of cases. She now works as a human rights investigator with the Toronto District School Board on education and employment cases. Norah enjoys policy and research.
Norah has also volunteered with Barrier Free Canada, the Learning Disabilities Association of Toronto District, Citizens with Disabilities Ontario, the Malvern Family Resource Centre, West Neighbourhood House and People for Education.
Richard Francis, Toronto
Richard is a non-practising Ontario lawyer with an employment background in administrative fairness, social justice, and public policy. His work experience spans various legal, policy, and student roles with organisations within the Ontario legal aid system, and other institutions within in the provincial and federal public services. Richard’s disability experience includes membership on a municipal accessibility advisory committee, conducting legal research in support of a published academic paper on accessibility law, and volunteering with on-campus disability advocacy organizations. He holds degrees in Law, and Public Administration from the University of Ottawa.
Ryan Hooey
Ryan Hooey graduated from Spring Arbor University in Jackson, MI in 2008 with a Bachelor degree in Marketing and Public Relations. Ryan then successfully completed a Bachelor degree Ryan Hooey is a person living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and a passionate advocate for accessibility. Diagnosed more than 30 years ago, Ryan’s experience with T1D has taught him the importance of ensuring equitable access to medication, technology and care. As a person with diabetic retinopathy, an eye condition experienced by many people with diabetes causing vision loss or blindness, Ryan is the handler of a CNIB certified guide dog, Joe, and a Patient Partner with Diabetes Action Canada’s (DAC’s) Diabetic Retinopathy Screening program. He is the Manager, Health Care Operations with Vision Loss rehabilitation Canada and sits on multiple boards for organizations in the disability sector. In 2024, Ryan was the first recipient of the Diabetes Action Canada’s Catalyst for Change Award for his commitment to patient-oriented research, and he is part of the first ever Research to Action Fellowship cohort at the organization. In addition, he is an avid audiobook listener and sports fanatic. Ryan is a person of Indigenous ancestry and is part of the Keeseekoowenin First Nation.
Sandi Bell
Sandi Bell is a highly respected and sought-after professional with over 30 years of experience in the areas of human rights, anti-racism, anti-oppression, and equity. Through her employment and numerous volunteer pursuits Sandi has been an active advocate on behalf of the disability community. This includes her role as Chair of the AODA Health Care Standards Development Committee which developed accessibility standards for Ontario hospitals to reduce and prevent barriers in health care to make them more accessible to people who have disabilities.
Sandi is dedicated to social justice in the clinic system and has Chaired the Board of Directors for ARCH Disability Law Centre, and the Hamilton Community Legal Clinic.
Sandi is currently a Commissioner at the Ontario Human Rights Commission and a Member of the Board of Directors of HRLSC.
Shauna Doracin
Shauna Doracin is a licensed paralegal based in Hamilton, Ontario. As the sole practitioner of Divergent Legal Services, she is dedicated to assisting clients in the areas of Landlord and Tenant Board, Small Claims Court, Human Rights, and Employment. Known for her expertise in housing law, regulatory compliance, and dispute resolution, and, as a member of the Paralegal Association of Ontario (OPA) and the Alternative Dispute Resolution Institute of Ontario (ADRIO), Shauna has spent over a decade navigating the complexities of RGI and co-operative housing, consistently advising boards, preparing legal applications, and representing clients before the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB). Her extensive experience includes liaising with legal counsel on eviction and civil litigation matters, overseeing case files, and testifying at hearings, making her a trusted resource for legal and procedural guidance in the housing sector.
Shauna received her autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis only a year ago, a life event that has further consolidated her commitment to human rights, particularly for individuals with “invisible disabilities. In addition to eight years serving on the Social Housing Review Panel for the City of Hamilton, Shauna holds certifications in trauma-informed communication and mental health first aid. She is dedicated to proving that disability does not mean less and believes those with differing abilities have much to contribute—especially in the context of employment. Shauna is valued for her strong advocacy, compassion, deep knowledge of the Residential Tenancies Act and related legislation, and her commitment to equitable and effective conflict resolution.