Maddy Dever (they/them) is a non-binary, Autistic adult, and parent of five children with four also on the autism spectrum, living in Carleton Place. Maddy advocates with both provincial and federal governments for inclusion and acceptance of Autistic individuals and for Autistic people to have their own voice in policy decisions. Maddy has been an advocate for change in education, affordable and accessible housing, as well as moving disability support rates out of poverty levels.
Maddy is a former member of the Ontario Autism Program Advisory Panel, and current member of the Ontario Autism Program Implementation Working Group.
Maddy is on the Board of Directors of Canadian Autism Spectrum Disorder Alliance (CASDA), where they are helping with aspects of developing a National Autism Strategy. They have spoken at the annual CASDA Summit in 2020 and were both moderator and panel member of two panels at the CASDA Summit 2021. In 2021, they spoke twice to the UN Human Rights Committee regarding the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Maddy is on the Board of Directors of ConnectWell Community Health, (formerly known as the Lanark Renfrew Health & Community Services (LRHCS)), a rural health organization supporting thousands of citizens, including primary health care, and supports and services for Autistic children, youth, adults, and their families.
Maddy has also led workshops and panels on topics surrounding autism and education. They have spoken about autism with many groups including ECHO Autism Ontario as a member of the ECHO Autism Ontario Expert Hub Team, which works to educate and inform health professionals on issues related to autism. Maddy is also an inaugural member of the Editorial Board of the Canadian Journal of Autism Equity
“I have lived in this riding most of my adult life and have seen first-hand the change all our communities have experienced over the last 25 years. In the past few years, we have seen significant challenges with our healthcare, as well as significantly increased costs of housing, energy, and food. Between COVID and climate change, we are facing a crisis on several fronts that need new ideas and new eyes to bring about effective change to build back a greener and more caring Ontario. I want to be part of that change.”
“The path to me running in this election began when I met Mike Schreiner in April 2019, while advocating for better autism services with my teen daughter. He made a huge impression on both of us that day. I have been watching him ever since then as he works constructively with all parties to bring about programs and services that we need.”
“I want to bring this same spirit of hard work and collaboration that I have done in my advocacy work to Queens Park, representing the needs of the people living and working in Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston.”
“I’m looking forward to the opportunity to earn the support of the green party members and join Mike Schreiner’s amazing team. As we “Build Back Better” after COVID, I believe that now is the time for us to make this province affordable, accessible and sustainable.”
Maddy can be contacted at maddy@maddydever.com or 613-700-8090.
They can be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MaddyDeverLFK or Twitter @mattjdever or maddydever.com