Ted is our company’s pivotal strategic head. All our activities and direction hinge on him. He is well travelled in 2 continents and whilst his life experience was curtailed at a very early age he has developed a multitude of other abilities and knowledge. Ted has many years of experience in the ball sector and has knowledge of almost all the involved roles, having led on chasing, jumping, twisting, multiple pickups and diving.
He has developed an innate hypnotic skill and ability to look totally blankly at people and take them to another place of love and abandon that most of us find so difficult to achieve. We are currently developing a Workshop around this concept. On the commercial front his contribution to key meetings has directly resulted in considerable new business.
In short Ted is our natural leader who brings out the best in the whole team.
Email: info@distinctability.ca
Pete Bennett is the co-founder of Distinctability, having been involved since its inception in early 2019.
As well as bringing entrepreneurial skills to the organization Pete has been a leading figure in the UK Educational Technology and Digital Learning field for over 20 years. The UK organizations he founded were internationally recognized with their global learning solutions, from online Universities to blended Accredited qualification pathways becoming synonymous with innovation and change in Educational Technology. Pete has worked closely with Governments, Post Secondary education as well as major corporate organizations and has led on major implementations from the Caribbean, throughout the Middle East to China.
Prior to moving to Canada, he was an advisory board member for the Cranfield University CUBIC business incubation team. He has worked extensively with assistive technologies supporting neurodiversity and intellectual disabilities before forming Distinctability and moving to Canada.
Email: pete@distinctability.ca
Cell: 902-840-3499
Maralyn Ellis is a psychotherapist and career counsellor with special interests in autistic adults and digital therapeutics like Virtual Reality Therapy. She helps facilitate a peer-to-peer Autism Job Club, an annual Autism + Employment conference and the Project SEARCH school-to-work transition program. “It’s a Neurodiverse Universe” is her favourite catchphrase.
Maralyn loves discovering and honouring individual differences and being a catalyst for change towards better mental health and wellbeing.
Email: hello@maralynellis.ca
Counselling + Psychotherapy
Maija Gulens is a professional clinician with over 20 years of experience supporting people to achieve their full potential. Taking a whole-person perspective, she values building a relationship with each client, slowly and respectfully, so that we can learn to understand each other. Each person’s own unique set of needs and skills should be recognized, valued and encouraged. We will work as a team with your supporters to develop goals, person-centred plans within your social community, and strategies to give you the confidence you need.
Having years of experience working with special needs populations with The Easter Seal Society of Ontario, Maija went on to study Linguistics and Psychology at McGill University. After completing a Master’s degree at Penn State University, she provided Speech-Language Pathology services at Children’s Hospital Colorado, with emphasis on supporting autistic/individuals with autism with social communication needs. Now happily back in Canada, she supports teens and young adults on the path to higher education, employment and independence through practical supports and technology tools such as Brain in Hand.
Maija can provide valuable insights into supporting the needs of all abilities and incorporating multidisciplinary support. This includes language and cognitive factors, social-emotional regulation strategies and mental health supports. For those who desire more training to gain confidence in social skills and interpersonal communication, individual speech-language intervention supports can also be provided.
Email: info@distinctability.ca
Kimberley brings her passion for making a difference with people in everything she does. Her charismatic nature allows her to connect easily with people and always brings her enthusiasm and imagination. She takes the initiative and manages all aspects of the job.
Her background in Graphic Arts, Communications and Advertising allows her to support clients creatively, bringing their vision to life. She strives to cultivate community and brings awareness for people to see their greatness within.
Fun fact about Kimberley: She's always experimenting, and exploring her hobby as being an artist. She enjoys traveling to San Diego, California and caring for her 17-year-old parrot Coco.
Email: kimberleys@distinctability.ca
Cell: 416-300-2887
David Banes is one of the leading global authorities on Assistive Technologies.Dave has worked in assistive technology for over 35 years leading assistive technology services in Europe and the Middle East. He now works across the globe.
He has a particular interest in both emerging and low-cost technologies and their impact on people with a disability, including the use of AI to augment communication, emerging technologies and mobility, technology and self-management of mental health, addressing hidden disabilities including communication needs and autism and the use of innovation to build resilient AT and AAC services during the pandemic.
David writes regularly on the tools and techniques. In addition, he speaks widely as a keynote and workshop facilitator on assistive and accessible technology, including at the Zero Project, ICCHP-AAATE, ATIA, ATAAC, and a range of bespoke events online and in person. He is on the editorial board of The Journal of Assistive Technologies, the Journal of Rehabilitation and the Journal of Disability and Rehabilitation, Assistive Technology.
Email: info@distinctability.ca
Utilizing technology to create supportive, accessible, and empowering environments for neurodiverse individuals, people with disabilities and/or mental health support needs. We drive positive change, fostering a world where distinct abilities thrive.
Nova Scotia-based Distinctability is an innovative social purpose specialist disability support services provider. We work alongside employers, education, service providers, and practitioners, providing assistive technology, people-focused solutions, education and events, to accelerate inclusivity through transformation.