New Brunswick Disability Advocate Randy Dickinson Dies at 71

New Brunswick disability advocate Randy Dickinson died Monday at age 71 in Fredericton. His wife, Karen Dickinson, announced the death Tuesday on his Facebook account. The Premier's Council on Disabilities described Dickinson as an "extraordinary force for positive change" in a statement.

The council noted that he helped create and lead several organizations and initiatives, including the council itself and New Brunswick Disability Awareness Week.

Dickinson contributed to the development and passage of the New Brunswick Accessibility Act and the federal Accessible Canada Act. He also served as chair of the New Brunswick Human Rights Commission. He was named a member of the Order of Canada in 1999 and appointed to the Order of New Brunswick in 2022.

Dickinson served as executive director of Ability New Brunswick, then called the Canadian Paraplegic Association NB, from 1992 to 1993.

Dickinson began at Camp Rotary, operated by Easter Seals New Brunswick, as a camper before becoming a counsellor and later executive director. One cabin at the camp is named Randy's Roost. He volunteered with York Sunbury Search and Rescue and frequently donated to local non-profits and charities.

During the pandemic, he encouraged staff at Ability New Brunswick to donate personal protective equipment. Nick Taggart, chair of the Premier's Council on Disabilities, said Dickinson studied political science and remained interested in politics without seeking elected office beyond municipal council.

Taggart added that Dickinson returned to the council as a member after serving as chair and encouraged Taggart to take the role.