TTC Advisory Committee on Accessible Transit elects new Chair and Vice-Chairs

The TTC’s Advisory Committee on Accessible Transit (ACAT) has elected Sophie Petrillo as its 2026 Chair, with Debbie Gillespie and Paul Cross elected Vice-Chairs. Ms. Petrillo will chair her first ACAT General Meeting on Thurs., Jan. 29, 2026.

“The TTC’s Advisory Committee on Accessible Transit plays a vital role in ensuring that we are providing an accessible and safe transit system for all of our residents,” said Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow. “Congratulations to the Chair and Vice-Chairs who, along with the dedicated ACAT committee members, will offer valuable advice and recommendations on matters related to accessible public transit in the City of Toronto.”

“On behalf of the Board, I extend my congratulations to the 2026 Chair and Vice Chairs of ACAT. Accessibility is a key priority at the TTC, and I am grateful for the committee’s efforts in making the transit system more equitable and fully accessible,” said TTC Chair Jamaal Myers. “I look forward to working alongside ACAT in 2026, ensuring that the committee’s voice is heard and its recommendations are considered when making decisions that impact accessible and inclusive transit in Toronto.”

“Congratulations to the Chair and Vice-Chairs on their appointments,” said TTC CEO Mandeep Lali. “Our shared goal is to achieve a transit system that is fully accessible and user-friendly for everyone. I am grateful for the recommendations that ACAT has provided over the years, and look forward to collaborating with the new ACAT executive committee.”

“I am honoured to be elected as Chair of ACAT this year,” said Sophie Petrillo. “ACAT is comprised of a dedicated group of volunteers who represent all ages and abilities. I am humbled that this incredible group of accomplished individuals has elected me as their Chair. People with disabilities face challenges with everyday tasks that others might find difficult to understand.  ACAT provides a unique perspective that can help TTC create a barrier-free transit system for everyone.”

ACAT Chair

Sophie Petrillo is a lifelong resident of Toronto. Sophie holds an Honours Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Laws from Queen’s University. Sophie worked as a commercial litigator in private practice for a decade and as in-house litigation counsel for TD Bank for five years. Sophie has been the Ombudsman for Hydro One since 2017, reporting directly to Hydro One’s Board of Directors. As the Ombudsman, Sophie is responsible for investigating individual and systemic issues and making recommendations that help Hydro One deliver fair and equitable services to the public. As a person with a physical disability, Sophie is a frequent user of Wheel-Trans and wants to help make it an even better service.

ACAT Vice Chairs

Debbie had a 30-year career at CNIB, most notably as Manager of Braille Publishing for the CNIB Library, Digital Accessibility, Advocacy Outreach and Community Engagement. She served as ACAT Chair in 2017 and 2022 and served on regional transit and wayfinding project teams in 2015 and 2019. Debbie currently sits on the AODA Design of Public Spaces Standards Development Committee for the government of Ontario, writing and collaborating on recommendations for the built environment and outdoor public spaces. She is a consultant specializing in Digital Accessibility and Intuitive Wayfinding, focusing on techniques and best practices to help people with sight loss navigate unfamiliar environments independently.

Paul is a Toronto resident who regularly uses the TTC. He recently retired after 21 years as a professor and has 25 years of prior service in radio broadcasting, mostly in Toronto. Paul has been involved in accessibility and social justice advocacy for decades, serving on various boards, including the VOICE for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children Board, where he represented VOICE on the TDSB Special Education Advisory Committee for 10 years, and the Fred Victor Centre. Paul was also a member of the Humber Polytechnic AODA Compliance Committee and a supporter of the Foundation Fighting Blindness Canada and the Usher Syndrome Coalition.

About ACAT

ACAT focuses on providing the TTC with advice and recommendations on accessible public transit in the City of Toronto. Their initiatives include removing barriers to accessibility and improving the customer experience for persons with disabilities and seniors. The committee works to ensure that individuals with different abilities can travel with ease and have equal access to TTC’s services.