Spotlight - Emilee Schevers

Building Community Through Disability Advocacy… For Emilee Schevers, advocacy began with a simple but powerful experience: finding a community that understood her journey.

A registered early childhood educator, disability advocate, speaker, and pageant titleholder, Emilee leads two initiatives focused on accessibility, inclusion, and community support.

The first is Tru Faces, an online platform where individuals with disabilities share their stories, raise awareness, and connect with others navigating similar experiences.

“I grew up not having anyone around me who was disabled or really knew what I was going through,” Emilee explains. “When I found my community, it was life-changing.”

That experience inspired her to create a space where others could find the same connection.

“Creating this initiative online removed many barriers,” she says. “It started as a way for me to meet others, but it has grown into a movement that has impacted so many people.”

Through Tru Faces, Emilee and her team host speaking engagements, community events, and advocacy campaigns designed to spark conversations about disability awareness. They also run an advocacy apparel line intended to start dialogue and promote visibility.

Alongside this work, Emilee recently launched a second initiative: The Sensory Toolbox.

The project provides mobile multi-sensory kits designed for neurodiverse individuals, which can be placed in community spaces or borrowed free of charge.

“Often sensory supports are only available in one specific space,” Emilee explains. “I wanted to create something that could be brought to the learner when they need it most.”

For Emilee, the most powerful impact comes from the moments of connection created through storytelling and shared experiences.

“I am always amazed at the impact our speaking engagements have,” she says. “It’s where people without disabilities begin to care and people with disabilities feel seen.”

Like many grassroots initiatives, funding and visibility remain ongoing challenges. Yet the response from the community continues to motivate her work.

“Any time someone shares how they connected with our mission or how we inspired them to make change, I’m reminded why I do this,” Emilee says.

As a Global Change Ambassador, Emilee values the opportunity to collaborate with other young leaders worldwide.

“It has provided opportunities to promote my mission and connect with like-minded advocates,” she says.

Looking ahead, she hopes to expand both initiatives across Canada and internationally, creating more accessible communities and stronger networks of support.

We are so pleased to have the opportunity to follow Emilee’s journey. You can do the same here: