The Disability Foundation exists to help people with significant disabilities achieve full citizenship in the community.

Since its origin in the late 1980s, the Sam Sullivan Disability Foundation has raised more than $20 million and provided quality of life opportunities for more than 10,000 people with significant disabilities. The Foundation supports six non-profit organizations and several other initiatives that provide services throughout Canada and beyond.

The Foundation and its affiliated organizations were founded by Sam Sullivan after he became a quadriplegic as a result of a skiing accident at the age of 19. After seven years of living on welfare and in social housing he committed himself to public service and creating opportunities for quality of life for those with more significant disabilities. At one point Sam worked for the BC Paraplegic Association, when its executive director – and politician – Doug Mowat became his inspiration.

The Tetra Society recruits technically skilled volunteers who have made more than 5,000 custom-made assistive devices for people with disabilities in locations throughout North America. ConnecTra Society has linked 1,000 people with disabilities with employment, part-time work, volunteer positions or socialization opportunities. The  Disabled Sailing Association has catalyzed the formation of 20 sailing programs throughout North America and has 140 of its specially designed sip and puff 16-foot sailboats in use throughout the world. The  BC Mobility Opportunity Society's Wilderness Access Program has 50 of its TrailRiders in use in programs throughout North America enabling some of its members to climb to the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro and to the base camp of Mount Everest. Vancouver Adapted Music Society operates a music studio in the GF Strong Rehab Centre and has introduced hundreds of people with disabilities to the world of music. The Disabled Independent Gardeners Association operates two community gardens and holds regular workshops.

The Foundation’s original name was the “Reach Disability Foundation.”  Because of a legal challenge by a similarly named organization in Ottawa, the Foundation was forced to change its name.  By a nearly unanimous vote of the Boards of Directors the new name was adopted with only one person voting against  -- Sam Sullivan.  In 2005 the founder resigned from the Foundation and its affiliated organizations when he was elected Mayor of Vancouver. Following his term as Mayor, Sam was invited to rejoin the board of directors in early 2009 and has served continuously since that time.

In recognition of his service to people with disabilities, Sam was invested as a member of the Order of Canada in 2005 and has been the recipient of the Terry Fox Award and the Christopher and Dana Reeve Award amongst many other honours.