Breaking barriers: Quebec content creator promotes accessibility through YouTube
Posted June 2, 2025 7:00 pm.
Last Updated June 2, 2025 10:22 pm.
This week marks Quebec Week for People with Disabilities, and one woman from the Montreal area is on a mission to help others with mobility challenges enjoy everything the province has to offer.
Isabelle Giard, 38, was born with spina bifida and has used a wheelchair since the age of 12. Five years ago, she started a YouTube channel called Zaroule, where she showcases accessible destinations across Quebec — from parks to paddleboarding and more.
“I was born with spina bifida, which is a spinal cord injury, so since birth,” she said.
“I used to walk with crutches when I was younger, and now since around 12 years old, I was [in] the wheelchair to get around all the time now.
“I just wanted to discover more places, either national park, either outside the activities and just to show how much it is accessible… while doing it.”
Turning a personal passion into a public platform
The idea for Zaroule came during a camping trip with her fiancé.
“We were just on an adventure and I was wanting to show how it could be done, and I was doing it — the camping — how outdoor activity could be done for someone in wheelchair with a disability.”
Giard began filming and sharing her experiences, from national parks to unique outdoor activities, aiming to spotlight both opportunities and accessibility barriers.
“I’m really showing in my videos the places throughout and I do also interviews… to both show the interviews and the accessible places, to share more awareness, I guess, for more accessibility.”
A mission to raise awareness and improve access
Making these videos is more than just a hobby for Giard — it’s her way of sparking change.
“It’s really important for me and I hope to send a message that for people with disability to really go out and try things out and really see how it works, if it is accessible,” she said.
“And to the owners of these places to really have the feedback back to them and hopefully to have more accessible places that we could go freely without any complication.”
Building on this mission, Giard now plans to offer a conference called “Beyond Limits: Living and Thriving Differently,” aimed at schools, workplaces, and community organizations, welcoming audiences both with and without disabilities.
“I just want to go to organizations, workplace, in school just to show more awareness and to have people more involved even with a disability or without. I think if we can all work together to make it a world more accessible, it could benefit everyone in the long run,” she explained.
With over 15 years of experience in the disability field, Giard’s conference uses her personal journey to authentically and humorously raise awareness about inclusion, accessibility, and the many opportunities available in Quebec. The interactive sessions inspire participants to embrace differences, overcome challenges, and explore practical ways to make their communities more accessible for all.
Encouraging others to go beyond limits
Raised by a supportive family, Giard says she was always encouraged to keep trying and adapting.
“I think I’ve grown up with the mom and stepdad just to encourage me to do things more and just sports and activities,” she said.
“And if it works fine, if it doesn’t work, then we find something else. So, it’s just to find different ways to break barriers and just go ahead in life and just enjoy it to the fullest.”
Her message to others is clear: push your boundaries, but trust yourself.
“I think it’s just to go out freely, just do whatever you can to your limit and just go a little bit further than your limit and you never know what you could discover.”
“I want to send a message that things are possible and that you can do things with or without disability. And just… encourage people to go more and just have more accessibility because we might not realize it, but it’s super important for everybody.”
A timely reminder during Quebec Week for People with Disabilities
As the province highlights the importance of accessibility, Giard says the focus shouldn’t be limited to just one week.
“Well, it’s important for me. I think it’s all… for me, it’s all year long for sure,” she said.
“But it’s this week for sure to encourage more projects or something, more visibility because it’s more important to be visible and have more funds.”
“I just hope it helps people really to bring barriers and that’s my mission,” she added.
“I’ve been in wheelchair since young and… for me, I find it super important to find places that are accessible and sometimes it’s not easy. When they say accessible, it might not be totally accessible.
“But I just hope it helps and encourages people to go beyond their limit, but just listen to themselves and you can do it.”
