Anthony Lue: Accessibility is Everyone’s Business
At 21, Anthony Lue had just started working as an apprentice mechanic when a workplace accident in Pickering changed his life. The accident left him with a broken back, a severe spinal cord injury and paralysis from the waist down.
That was 17 years ago.
Since then, Anthony has had to navigate a world that wasn’t created for people with disabilities.
From personal challenge to public mission
According to Statistics Canada, eight million Canadians, aged 15 or older identify as having a disability. A stroke, workplace accident or just getting older can make accessibility a personal challenge for most people.
“This is why we need to create communities where accessibility is a priority for everyone,” says Anthony. “People don’t realize that the disabled population is the only population that anyone can join at any time.”
In 2009, after his accident, Anthony attended the University of Arizona and earned his degree in accessibility and disability studies. When he returned to Durham Region, he founded his consulting business focused on making buildings accessible through ramps, elevators and building code compliance.
“I also launched the Anthony Lue Foundation geared towards helping people with disabilities get out, lead an active, healthy lifestyle through recreation, technology and mobility aids,” he notes.
$1.3 trillion reasons to rethink accessibility
Sports have always played an integral role in Anthony’s life. Before his accident, he was a provincial athlete. He later became a para-athlete, competing in handcycling and adaptive athletics. His goal was to compete for Canada in the 2020 and 2024 Paralympic Games. Although he didn’t achieve that goal, the experience taught him valuable lessons, including communication being the foundation of true inclusion.
Anthony understands that accessibility isn’t just a social issue, it’s also an economic opportunity. According to the World Economic Forum, globally, people with disabilities and their families spend approximately $1.3 trillion annually. From a business standpoint, accessibility is an investment in future customers. "Why wouldn't you want to make your doors available to people with disabilities?" he asks.
What’s missing? Understanding
What’s the greatest challenge facing Canada's accessibility movement? Anthony says it’s a lack of understanding. “Unless you're walking a mile in that person's shoes, you have no idea. And even when it comes to disability, it's so nuanced.”
Anthony emphasizes that disability is deeply nuanced and points to a friend who is a quadriplegic—with impairment in all four limbs. The accommodations his friend requires are different than what Anthony needs or what someone with a different disability might need.
“People assume we’re all the same, but our accommodation needs vary widely. Social media has played a big role in educating people, highlighting the progress we’ve made in recent years and how far behind we still are,” he says.
Additionally, disabilities can intersect with other forms of marginalization. Reflecting on his own experience as a Black person with a disability, Anthony notes he had a ton of support from his family and community, but still ended up falling through the cracks in the system.
Anthony shares that accessibility is fundamentally about community, communication and treating everyone with dignity. "How we treat our most vulnerable says a lot about who we are as a society.”
Living and working in Durham Region
Change hasn’t come as quickly as Anthony would like, but he sees progress in Durham Region. The Region has hosted two Ontario Parasport Games, in 2019 and 2023 as well as the National Wheelchair Basketball Championships, which hadn't been held in 10 years.
Anthony served as co-chair of the wheelchair basketball championships and he continues to support parasport initiatives in Durham Region. He says these events showcase athletic excellence, build community awareness and inspire people to become advocates for accessibility and inclusion.
“I grew up in Durham, and my heart is in Durham,” he says. "And it's great to see the impact that I can have on my local community."
Continuing to drive change forward
Anthony has a lot planned. In October 2026, the Anthony Lue Foundation will host its inaugural fundraising gala at Centennial College, giving away a $12,000 mobility equipment piece. The foundation also hosted a Honda Indy event in mid-August, bringing members of the spinal cord community together to connect, network and socialize.
The work is far from finished. In fact, Anthony says he's "nowhere close to where I want to be."
To learn more about the Anthony Lue Foundation or get involved in upcoming events, visit its website. Anthony is a consultant and speaker, who inspires teams to transform adversity into their greatest strengths. Explore his services and speaking engagements at his website AnthonyLue.com.
Innovation and Inclusivity: Stories from Durham Region's Black Business Leaders, Entrepreneurs, and Professionals (members of DRABPE) is a series of stories about thriving Black professionals choosing to do business in Durham Region.
Submission by DRAPBE (Durham Region Association of Black Professionals & Entrepreneurs)