I have had two great opportunities this week to help raise awareness about disability. First, as one of the lead writers for a new curriculum that will teach all students across Canada how to do four Paralympic sports. This will not only raise awaress of Paralmpic sport for able-bodied students, but may also inspire some future Paralympians.

Then I had the opportunity to appear in a video promoting “Teaching Awareness Through Puppetry” (formely called “Kids on the Block”) a unique puppet presentation that teaches children to be inclusive of children with differences. Some of the puppets have disabiltiites themselves, and students can interact with them and ask them questions.

I am so glad to finally start actively raising awareness, as a special education teacher I know how damaging it can be to children with disabiltiies when they are isolated or treated differently. As someone who has a disabiltiy I know how frustrating it can be when people assume you can’t do things.

If we can start to educate students, we have hope of a better society in the future.

Privacy Preference Center

Privacy Preferences

What I Bring
  • Inclusive Leadership & DEI – practical strategies to build equity and accessibility into culture and operations.
  • Resilience & High Performance – lessons from elite sport to help teams adapt, focus, and excel under pressure.
  • Strategy & Change – proven success leading national initiatives, digital transformation, and organizational growth
  • Accessibility & Design Thinking – advisory support to create environments and services where everyone can succeed. I partner with corporations, nonprofits, and teams who want more than inspiration—organizations ready to embed resilience, inclusion, and performance into how they work every day.

Keynote Title and Description

Have you ever felt nervous or unsure about your environment? Have you ever felt like things were happening around you that you had no control over? How often do you feel like you are missing important information to make a sound decision? Uncertainty, insecurity and lack of control are all at the root of fear. They are also a direct result of change, And they are part of life every single day for someone who is blind. With organizations facing more intense change than ever before, It’s no wonder that job dissatisfaction, disengagement and burn out are on the rise. Together we will redefine what is possible when facing the unknown

Biography

Victoria Nolan is a world champion rower, author, tv personality and advocate for people living with blindness and other disabilities. Vicky went blind when her daughter was born and has since faced the world in the dark. She chooses hope over fear, and embraces uncertainty as a challenge to overcome. Vicky is determined to push limits: she has won 8 medals for Team Canada and competed in four Olympic games. Now pursuing her MBA at Queens University, she also serves as national manager for one of Canada’s largest non -profit organizations. Victoria's story is one of resilience, tough choices and inspiring others to overcome life’s challenges.