Valeryia Pedersen

Valeryia finds her purpose in building supportive and accepting communities. Whether she is organizing a local parent support group or planning and implementing an innovative respite program, her focus is on bringing culturally and linguistically affirming services to children and youth with disabilities and their families. She is committed to tirelessly highlighting and celebrating the talent and a multitude of contributions made daily by marginalized communities, especially those who identify as neurodivergent, disabled and immigrant. She is a proud parent of two neurodivergent children. Her academic background includes health education, pedagogy and linguistics. Valeryia joined the Federation for Children with Special Needs during the pandemic and her current role is Project Director for the Caregiver to Caregiver Respite Network.