Officer of the Order of Canada

• Awarded on: November 20, 2014
• Invested on: November 18, 2015

For her advancement of the rights of persons with disabilities, as an advocate for social justice.

Catherine Frazee challenges the way we think about disability. Professor emerita at the School of Disability Studies at Ryerson University, she has written extensively on disability rights, identity and culture, often drawing on her own experience as a person with a disability and as the former head of OntarioÆs human rights commission. Co-founder of a disability arts festival and a historic exhibit, she has showcased artists, writers and performers, fostering an appreciation for their arts and culture. She also helps steer many national organizations, including the Canadian Association for Community Living and the Abilities Arts Festival.