Paula Saunders Award

The Paula Saunders Award for Independent Living

Independent Living Canada established the Paula Saunders Award for Independent Living in 2018, in honour of Paula's longstanding contributions to the movement upon her retirement from the national Board of Directors.

Through her work with the Independent Living Centre of Waterloo Region and her years of national Board service, Paula championed individual choice, peer support, accessibility and the right of persons with disabilities to direct their own lives. Her leadership helped put the Independent Living philosophy into practice in communities and within the national network.

Paula became the award's inaugural recipient in 2018. Since then, the award has recognized individuals who have dedicated 20 or more years to the Independent Living movement and Independent Living Canada.

The award honours the lasting contributions of people who, like Paula, have strengthened the movement through sustained commitment, leadership and service—helping build communities where persons with disabilities have the choice, support and opportunity to live on their own terms.

Recipients of Paula Saunders Award for Independent Living

Who is Paula Saunders?

Paula Saunders is a highly respected leader in Canada's Independent Living movement whose contributions span decades of community work, national leadership and personal connection. She has helped bring the Independent Living philosophy to life by supporting persons with disabilities to make their own choices, build confidence and pursue the lives they want. Paula Saunders is a highly respected leader in Canada's Independent Living movement whose contributions span decades of community work, national leadership and personal connection. She has helped bring the Independent Living philosophy to life by supporting persons with disabilities to make their own choices, build confidence and pursue the lives they want.

Much of Paula's work has been rooted in the Independent Living Centre of Waterloo Region, where her responsibilities included individual advocacy, community support, access and awareness. Her approach centred on listening to people, understanding their goals and working alongside them. She also contributed to accessible design initiatives and community partnerships, helping create environments where persons with disabilities could participate more fully.

Paula brought that same commitment to the national Board of Directors of the Canadian Association of Independent Living Centres, later renamed Independent Living Canada. Her service included roles as Secretary, Member at Large and a member of the organization's Management Team. Through these responsibilities, she helped connect community experience with the work of sustaining a national movement.

Although Paula retired from her Board duties in 2018, she remains an active and valued part of the IL Canada community. Her knowledge, perspective and longstanding relationships continue to connect the movement's history with its present and future.

That connection was evident at IL Canada's 40th anniversary gathering in Ottawa in September 2026. Paula joined the lived-experience panel, sharing her perspective alongside other movement leaders. She also joined Sue Larocque in presenting the Paula Saunders Award to recognize the contributions of another longstanding member of the movement.

Paula is respected for both what she has contributed and how she has approached the work: with integrity, practical knowledge and a deep commitment to people's right to direct their own lives. She remains part of the ongoing conversation about where Independent Living has come from - and where we go together next.