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School of Disability Studies (DST) graduate Ruth Ruth Stackhouse didn’t think she’d make it through one course at Ryerson, let alone a whole program.

Stackhouse is dyslexic, but the diagnosis came later in her life and as an elementary school student in the 1970s she was simply referred to as “lazy and dumb.” That didn’t stop Stackhouse from becoming an activist as an adult. A chance encounter with a former Ryerson professor led her to the School of Disability Studies, where she graduated with an honours BA in October and is now working on her master’s degree at the School of Critical Disability Studies at York University.

“By learning from others who had similar experiences I entered into a discussion that pulled me into knowledge and humanity,” Stackhouse said. “The School of Disability Studies has always encouraged me to be all of myself.”

On Dec. 8 Stackhouse will receive a City of Toronto Access Award at a ceremony at city hall for her significant work towards improving access for people with disabilities. Toronto’s Access, Equity and Human Rights Awards recognize the people who have made contributions to improving human rights. For 20 years Stackhouse has been a community theatre director for The Friendly Spike Theatre Band, a playhouse company of psychiatric survivors and people with disabilities. Nominated by a colleague, Stackhouse was largely recommended for the award based on her work in the Parkdale community including being a part of the Mad Pride Organizing Committee, participating in the Parkdale Anti-Violence Education group and helping to launch the Rose McGroarty award, for women who have experienced abuse and are seeking education.

“It feels fantastic to win an Access Award because I share this award with my community of actors and activists in the Parkdale area and beyond into academia. I am in very good company,” Stackhouse said. “I’m very happy the City of Toronto is understanding accessibility beyond physical barriers and into the realm of culture because all my work has been driven by a quest for cultural inclusion and participation.”

This isn’t the first time Stackhouse’s activism has landed her in the spotlight. She created the Labouring installation in the exhibit Out From Under: Disability, History and Things to Remember, which focused on three women incarcerated in the former Queen Street Mental Hospital. Out From Under went on to be exhibited at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM), which garnered the School of DST and the ROM a 2008 City of Toronto Access Award.

“Ruth Ruth works from the heart. Her life experience has given her a passion for social justice, particularly with respect to the oppression of people with disabilities,” said Kathryn Church, director, School of Disability Studies. “She has learned how to translate her knowledge as a psychiatric survivor into the credentialing processes of the university. Regardless of the forum, she is vibrantly present as both a learner and a knowledgeable community activist.”

Although Stackhouse is taking one night off from her activism to celebrate on Dec. 8, she knows the fight is far from over.

“If equality is to be achieved for Canadians with disabilities we need access to our own culture, and the opportunity to build our culture. Out From Under is a great example as is the work of the Mad Pride Movement and the Friendly Spike Theatre Band. But we need more support in every way to continue to grow and blossom,” she said.