About Gary Malkowski
Gary Malkowski is an internationally recognized speaker and leader with an extensive track record in human rights, anti-discrimination, Deaf and disability advocacy work provincially and nationally.
Gary engages and entertains while challenging audiences to embrace diversity and inclusion, and values the ability of every person’s contribution.
In a typical year, he addresses dozens of groups and hundreds of individuals on employability and civil responsibility as a person who is Deaf.
Gary is married to Karen Walker and they currently reside in Toronto, Canada. Gary is a father to six children.
In The Media:
Malkowski is no token minority representative. He’s the real thing, someone straight from the community.
Rick Salutin
Toronto Life Magazine
Gary has been involved with the Deaf community as a leader for as long as I can remember. He sets the pace for the community and brings both strength of partnership and high expectations with boldness to all his work. Gary is passionate, intelligent and above all an incredible connector for working together to solve issues.
Maureen Haan
President & CEO, The Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work (CCRW)Established Track Record
First Deaf parliamentarian to use sign language
Gary Malkowski
Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP)
Riding of York East
Five-Year term, 1990-1995.
Antiquated call to vote bell-ring notification system
in the Legislature replaced by light alert system
still in use today
“Toronto Star” reports Don Valley Brickworks,
4-year project with $5 million funding
through MPP Gary Malkowski
Proposed first Private Member’s Bill in 1994
Led to the implementation of Accessibility for Ontarians
with Disabilities Act (AODA) in 2005
Gary is best described as a powerful and dynamic speaker on wide range of topics:
- Discrimination Prevention
- Diversity & Inclusion
- Human Rights
- Community Development
- Civil Engagement
Gary has presented workshops at high schools, colleges and universities, national and international conferences, convocation and commencements:
- Diversity and Inclusion
- Barriers and different forms of discrimination experienced by deaf and hard-of-hearing people in the workplace and in the community
- Education, Career/Life planning, acquiring soft skills and vocational skills
Gary is able to draw on his past involvement and share extensive knowledge of experiences to provide invaluable guidance on areas of relevance to people who are Deaf people and persons with disabilities:
- Provides workshops and consultations to ARCH Disability Law Centre, Community Legal Education Ontario and similar entities
- Drafting law reforms and assisted on legal strategies to lawyers who successfully reached several important rulings at the Supreme Court of Canada.
- Consults on Accessible Canada Act, Human Rights, Employment, Accessibility Laws and Regulations
Gary has been featured on TV, radio, and in newspapers and magazines nationally and internationally, including CTV, Global and CBC.
- “Deaf Politician: The Gary Malkowski Story” biography and “Bigger Dreams” by author Richard Medugno
- Subject of BBC documentary and biographical play
- Currently writing Memoir on his contributions and significant Deaf events
- With assistance of mentorship project funded through Ontario Arts Council, currently writing Monologue telling the story of the Deaf Life experience.
The book, “Deaf Politician: The Gary Malkowski Story” by Richard Medugno is available for purchase on Amazon.
ENGAGEMENT
Identifying key issues or concerns, educating the community, understanding solutions and strategies to address each issue, or finding solutions prior to engaging and mobilizing community action are areas where Gary Malkowski can assist you.
DEAF EXPERTISE
As a Deaf person, Gary Malkowski is uniquely qualified to provide expertise through Deaf Culture workshops, consulting services, workplace and customer service or diversity & inclusion training programs.
EMPOWERMENT
As a provincial and nationally recognized leader with an extensive track record of human rights, anti-discrimination, Deaf and disability advocacy, Gary can speak or consult on anti-discrimination, anti-ableism, policy, legislation and regulation developments.