Joanne Smith is a graduate of the Institute of Holistic Nutrition in Toronto, holds a degree in psychology from York University, as well as a diploma in radio & television broadcasting from Seneca College.
Joanne has dedicated her career to raising awareness of the issues concerning people with disabilities. As a Certified Nutritional Practitioner, she specializes in providing optimal nutritional health for people with disabilities, spinal cord and brain injuries, digestive dysfunction and weight issues. Joanne fully understands the unique needs of people with disabilities and her nutritional consulting practice helps others live to their maximum potential. As a certified nutritional practitioner, she works with you on creating individualized nutritional programs to help you achieve your optimal health and well-being.
Her expertise in the disability community comes from her personal experience of living with a spinal cord injury for over twenty five years, as well as her years as host and producer of two national television programs that focus on telling in-depth stories about Canadians with disabilities, the Gemini award winning CBC show Moving On, and her current show, Accessibility in Action.
In addition to her nutritional practice and television program, Joanne co-authored Eat Well Live Well with Spinal Cord Injury & Other Neurological Conditions, the first nutrition book dedicated to addressing the unique needs of people with spinal cord injuries (SCI)
Additionally, she writes nutrition columns for New Mobility, PN, Sports n’ Spokes and Outspoken magazines in Canada and the USA.
Joanne is also an experienced public speaker presenting at national conferences across Canada and the United States on topics such as nutrition for brain and spinal cord injuries and disability representation in the media.
Joanne's passion for assisting others with special needs is further demonstrated through her years as a dedicated mentor and volunteer for SCI Ontario, Lyndhurst rehabilitation center, Canadian Spinal Research Organization, Easter Seals, The Canadian Foundation for Physically Disabled Persons and numerous other disability organizations across the country.
Her dedication to raising awareness and improving the lives of Canadians with disabilities led to her receipt of the King Clancy Award in 2006, induction into the Terry Fox Hall of Fame in 2007 and being honoured with the Gabriel Award in 2008.