Care Access and the Daily Grind of Getting What You Need | A Whimble Webinar
What does it take to build truly barrier-free communities? In this inspiring and energizing conversation, Luke Anderson—engineer, accessibility leader, and co-founder of the StopGap Foundation—joins Emma Brown, founder of Whimble, to talk about the urgent need for inclusive design, the power of community action, and the ramps that have become icons of accessibility across Canada. After sustaining a spinal cord injury in 2002, Luke was suddenly introduced to a world full of barriers that made everyday life unnecessarily difficult. Frustrated but determined, he channeled that experience into founding StopGap: a movement that has since placed brightly painted ramps in more than 60 communities across the country and sparked new conversations about accessibility, dignity, and inclusion.
✨ Topics covered: From injury to action:
How Luke’s personal journey led to the creation of StopGap and its mission.
The “one small step” problem: Why a single step at a storefront can feel like a hundred—and how ramps transform independence.
Community collaboration: How StopGap partners with local leaders, businesses, and volunteers to shift perspectives and break down barriers.
Beyond ramps: The broader movement toward policy change, education, and truly accessible design.
The human side of accessibility: Why collaboration, creativity, and empathy are just as important as engineering solutions.
👤 Guest: Luke Anderson Luke Anderson is the co-founder of the StopGap Foundation, a licensed professional engineer, and a Governor General’s Meritorious Service Medal recipient. His leadership has sparked a national conversation about accessibility through advocacy, education, and community-driven action. He’s also a nature lover, avid meditator, and aspiring harmonica virtuoso.
🧡 Host: Emma Brown Emma is the founder of Whimble and a systems thinker building more accessible communities through tech and care innovation.
💬 Drop your thoughts in the comments, and don’t forget to like & subscribe for more conversations on accessibility, design, and community change.
