CUPE created the National Disability Rights Activism Award to recognize outstanding leadership in advancing disability rights and disability justice. This year’s recipient is Sylvain Le May, a passionate advocate for accessibility and inclusion.
A member of SCFP 1294 at the University of Quebec at Montreal, Sylvain has led the fight to remove barriers for people with disabilities in his workplace and across the post-secondary sector. His advocacy has led to permanent policy changes which have increased accessibility for workers and students with disabilities. The creation of the “Le May Code”—named in his honour—guides the university’s ongoing work to ensure new and renovated spaces meet the highest accessibility standards.
“What role do we play in establishing fair social participation for our members with disabilities?” Sylvain asked the assembled delegates. “We should not fear differences, but inequality. At the end of the day, it is all about solidarity.”
Sylvain has been the co-chair for CUPE’s National Persons with Disabilities Committee since 2019, where his collaborative and thoughtful leader. He also sits represents persons with disabilities at the Canadian Labour Congress and the Quebec Federation of Labour.
Beyond CUPE, Sylvain was appointed Commissioner of the Quebec Human Rights Commission in 2017 and now represents paratransit users on the Société de transport de Montréal (STM). In 2022, he received the Carol McGregor Disability Rights Award by the Canadian Labour Congress.
“I remember an 8-year-old boy who was told he had a disease, and he was asked to dream smaller and temper his aspirations,” said Sylvain. “Thanks to my parents’ dedication, that boy’s dreams remained and today in everything I do I still try to reach for the stars.”