Our dream began in 1991. Ability online was the brainchild of Dr. Arlette Lefebvre, a psychiatrist at the Hospital for Sick Children, who recognized cyberspace as a realm in which physical limitations didn’t matter.
Froggie Connection
No, we’re not talking about Kermit the Frog. “Doctor Froggie” is the nickname that young patients gave to Dr. Arlette Lefebvre. Like Kermit – our Froggie is a dreamer, too… someone who wonders about rainbows and what’s on the other side. She saw the social isolation that her young patients faced as a result of chronic hospitalization and physical limitations, and she dreamed a dream of a different environment where they could just be themselves.
In her dream, she saw the potential of the Internet – just then emerging – as a force for good in the lives of those with disabilities. Dr. Froggie recognized that, truly, in the online world there are no disabilities. Everyone is equal. When you’re sitting at your computer, it’s a level playing field with anyone else sitting at theirs… and that can be a boost to one’s confidence.
On day 2 of the pilot project Michelle McClure, a Recreation Therapist at what is now known as Holland Bloorview Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital, joined Arlette. Working with teens with head injuries, Michelle incorporated Ability Online into her clinical practice, to help her clients cope with their “new reality”. Michelle was on the Board of Directors of Ability Online until 1999, when she left Holland Bloorview to become the Executive Director of our organization, a position she has held since. Today Michelle continues to be the main force behind Ability Online’s success.
What started as a primitive bulletin board system in the early days of the Web, is now a robust online community that reaches out to many thousands of young people with disabilities and illnesses. After more than 30 years, it has a proven record, and a treasure chest of stories about helping its members develop the communication skills and confidence they seek to manage all areas of their lives and integrate fully into their communities.
Today, together with community partners, professionals and students, we continue to develop and share meaningful content for our 7,300 members across Canada. Most recently we have launched our entire new and modernized platform for our Young Adults community, with our Parents, Children and Teens community programs following shortly.
Ability Online article 1994 – Children in Hospital now in Touch with the World
Toronto Star Article 2007 – Online network lets kids be themselves
Toronto Star Article (2) 2007 – A place where no one is disabled
Global News Story 2020 – Online inclusive platform celebrates 30 years Watch Video
The Globe and Mail 2020 – Adapting co-op placements to remote work
The Brock News 2020 – Internship connects students to online organization
