Anthony Frisina

Anthony Frisina
Born with Spina Bifida and navigating the world in a wheelchair, Anthony works at Mohawk College and McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. He is a sought-after speaker, author and consultant under his brand Above & Beyond – Bridging the Gap to Accessibility and Inclusion, which he founded in his mother’s memory in 2018.
Anthony has served on a number of boards and committees, including Path Employment, Rygiel and All Abilities AllStars
He has been producing and hosting Above & Beyond TV on Cable 14, entering into the 6th season in the fall of 2024.
He was honoured with a Mohawk College Alumni of Distinction Award in 2013, and was named the Order of Hamilton in 2020.
He is also an ambassador for The Forward Movement, which reframes the conversation around ability, and promoting access and inclusion for people of all abilities.
Maddy Dever
Maddy Dever (they/them) is a non-binary Autistic adult and parent of four who are all also Autistic, living in Carleton Place in rural Eastern Ontario. Maddy advocates with both provincial and federal governments for inclusion and acceptance of Autistic individuals and for Autistic people to have their own voice in policy decisions. Maddy has been an advocate for change in education, affordable and accessible housing, as well as moving disability supports rates out of poverty levels.
Maddy is a former member of the Ontario Autism Program Advisory Panel, and the Ontario Autism Program Implementation Working Group. Maddy is currently a member of the Children’s Mental Health Ontario Autism & Mental Health Advisory Group.
Maddy is President of Autistic Bridge Inc., an Autistic-led organization fostering connections between Autistics, their families and those who support them. They are also the Co-Vice Chair of the Autism Alliance of Canada (AAC formerly known as CASDA), where they are helping with aspects of developing a National Autism Strategy.
Maddy has also led workshops and panels on topics surrounding autism and education. They have spoken about autism with many groups including ECHO Autism Ontario, which works to educate and inform health professionals on issues related to autism. They are a member of the ECHO Autism Ontario Expert Hub Team and ECHO Ontario Brain Health Expert Hub Team
Maddy is an Autistic Consultant and on the Leadership Team of the Autism Care Network, and is a member of the hub expert team on the Autism Family ECHO. They are part of the research team of several studies in both Canada and the US.
