John Draper

Entrepreneur, author and motivational speaker, John Draper champions diversity, equity, accessibility and inclusion through Together We Rock! Inc., the organization he founded in 2006. Supported by a team of employees, consultants and volunteer advisors, Together We Rock! realizes its vision through presentations, learning resources and leadership initiatives. In his presentations, John inspires audiences to lead the way to make their businesses, schools, post-secondary institutions and communities places where everyone feels a sense of belonging. Through his lived experience as a person with a physical disability who is an augmentative communication user, John presents a compelling case for change.

John’s articles have been featured in various business and association publications, and he has contributed to several books, including Augmentative & Alternative Communication: Supporting Children and Adults with Complex Communication Needs by David R. Beukelman and Janice C. Light; Transition Strategies for Adolescents and Young Adults Who Use AAC by David B. McNaughton and David R. Beukelman; and Curriculum Access and Participation for Students with Physical Impairment for the Queensland, Australia Department of Education.

He is the author of the Together We Rock! School Leadership Tool Kit and a series of five student leadership workbooks. John has been a guest blogger for Brookes Publishing Company in Baltimore, Maryland, and he regularly reviews books on inclusive education for the publisher.

John believes that research leads to new approaches and technologies. Over the years, he has volunteered with universities and rehabilitation centres as a participant and advisor in over 20 research initiatives on literacy, inclusive education, quality of life, assistive computer technology, communication patterns, and facilitation approaches for people who are non-verbal.

John’s leadership efforts have earned him provincial and international recognition, including a 2007 Alumnus of Distinction award from his alma mater; the David C. Onley Award in 2017 for Leadership in Accessibility, presented by the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario; and the 2008 Possum-ISAAC Aspiration Award from the International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (he used the award bursary to develop the 212-page School Leadership Tool Kit). In 2017, he was named Businessperson of the Year by the Whitby Chamber of Commerce.