John Draper believes in the possible. He believes that through leadership and learning, citizens can be inspired to build communities that are accessible to and inclusive of people who have a disability.

John Draper graduated with a Journalism Diploma from Durham College in June 2005. In addition to his formal education, John has enhanced his journalism and communications skills through work experience gained as a communications intern with the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, the Innovation Centre at Durham College, and the Oshawa This Week community newspaper. In recognition of his efforts to promote inclusion and accessibility, John received the Glenn Crombie Memorial Award from the College Committee on Disability Issues (Ontario) in 2005. That year he also received the Lisa Christine Evans Memorial Scholastic Achievement Award (U.S.) in honour of his "altruistic efforts to enlighten minds and enhance the future of education." At its June 2007 Convocation Ceremony, Durham College recognized John as an Alumni of Distinction. In August 2008, John was the recipient of the Opportunity Award from POSSUM and the International Society of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (ISAAC).  This award will be utilized to develop a resource manual for the Together We Rock! School Leadership Program.

John is a member of the Canadian Association of Journalists, the International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication, and the Writers' Circle of Durham Region. As a volunteer, John has served on the Canadian Committee for the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child of the Canadian Institute of Child Health and on the Accessibility Advisory Group of a national financial institution and has helped to organize an annual neighborhood food drive in his community. As a writer, John has contributed articles to several newspapers and other publications.