The Inclusion NB family is saddened to share that one of the founding members of New Brunswick’s Inclusion movement, Lorraine Silliphant, has passed away.

Lorraine was the Executive Director of our organization, when it was known as the New Brunswick Association for Community Living, for 11 years,” says Reid. Her accomplishments are many and significant.

Working with other New Brunswick parents, she:

  • Advocated to get her local school district to take responsibility for educating children labelled mentally handicapped and cerebral palsied.
  • Lobbied for Bill 85, making the exclusion of children who have a disability in New Brunswick’s school system illegal.
  • Was instrumental in closing the W.F. Roberts Hospital School, allowing formerly institutionalized children to be included in their communities.

Last spring, Inclusion NB honoured Lorraine with the Dr. David Jory award, who, like Lorraine, staunchly believed that children with an intellectual disability could have an education on an equal basis with others and be included.

She received many other accolades. Lorraine received the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal for her contribution to the quality of life in our country. She received the New Brunswick Pioneer of Human Rights Award and an Outstanding Service Award from the Institute for Research and Development on Inclusion and Society. She is a Life Member of Inclusion NB’s Board of Directors. She chaired the Stakeholder Relations Committee and the Governance and Social Inclusion Advisory Committees. She is also the Secretary for the Inclusion Fredericton’s Board of Directors, a member of the Fredericton Affordable, Accessible, Dispersed housing committee, and a Distinguished Associate of Inclusion Canada’s Board of Directors.

She chaired our Stakeholder Relations Committee and the Governance and Social Inclusion Advisory Committees. She was also the Secretary for the Inclusion Fredericton’s Board of Directors, a member of the Fredericton Affordable, Accessible, Dispersed housing committee, and a Distinguished Associate of Inclusion Canada’s Board of Directors.

She will be greatly missed.