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National AccessAbility Week: Celebrating Inclusion and Breaking Barriers in Canada

7 minute read

In a country as diverse as Canada, inclusivity, and accessibility are fundamental values that resonate deeply within society. National AccessAbility Week (May 28 – June 3) celebrates the contributions of individuals living with disabilities and recognizes the efforts of individuals, organizations, and communities to eliminate barriers and promote a more accessible and inclusive society. This week-long celebration not only showcases the achievements of those with disabilities but also acts as a reminder that every individual deserves equitable opportunities and access. Below are a few actions we can each take to celebrate this week! 

Focus on Ability, rather than Disability 

The name of the week itself focuses on ability rather than disability – highlighting not the everyday barriers or challenges that folks face across the country but instead abilities, skills, contributions, and opportunities. One of the primary goals of National AccessAbility Week is to recognize and appreciate the contributions of individuals with disabilities. By highlighting their achievements and focusing on the person, the week aims to challenge prevailing misconceptions about disabilities and showcase these individuals' vast potential and talents. Through their accomplishments, they serve as role models, inspiring others to pursue their dreams and ambitions, regardless of their challenges. Representation is incredibly important, and by promoting positive representations, we are helping to combat the cycle of bias – both impacting how people think about persons with disabilities and how persons with disabilities think about themselves.  

What kind of language do you use when speaking about disability? Are you aware of which terms and phrases are inclusive and which ones can be exclusionary? Have you asked the people in your life who are living with a disability what terms they would like you to use? When engaging with media portraying persons with disabilities, are you reflecting on how those characters are presented? Are the actors a part of the community they are representing? If you are interested in learning more about the impacts of inaccurate representation, here is an article that discusses the phenomenon of “cripface” in film: https://www.michigandaily.com/arts/examining-cripface-and-ableism-hollywood/  

Look to Other Organizations for Inspiration 

National AccessAbility Week emphasizes the progress made by organizations and institutions in removing barriers for persons with disabilities. Many public and private organizations have taken proactive steps to improve accessibility by implementing inclusive policies, investing in infrastructure modifications, and enhancing services for individuals with disabilities. By showcasing these efforts, the week aims to inspire further action and encourage organizations to continue their commitment to accessibility.  

What actions have you taken, and where might gaps still be? 

When a lot of people think about accessibility, they think about physical barriers – like if there are ramps into a building or washrooms accessible to wheelchairs. This, however, is only one part of what accessibility means. There are considerations for how we communicate, design websites, services, and products, educate, market, and evaluate workplace culture. One example of an accessible consideration that some businesses use to promote accessibility is to offer sensory-friendly spaces and times. Sensory-friendly means we are conscious of sensory stimuli, like the lighting, sounds, and smells within a space. Many grocery stores have started to offer sensory-friendly days and times when the store is less busy, less loud, and less bright.  

Can you think of any efforts made in your local community that have reduced barriers? A lot of the time, inclusive efforts that we make to be more inclusive to persons with disabilities are actually more inclusive to everyone. These efforts do not always have to cost a lot of money.  

Take Accountability in Learning More 

During National AccessAbility Week, we can each take more time to learn about persons with disabilities. The week serves as a crucial reminder that accessibility is not solely the responsibility of individuals with disabilities but a shared commitment by everyone. It encourages people from all walks of life to reflect on their attitudes, behaviours, and actions toward individuals with disabilities – including our own perceptions of ourselves as people living with disabilities. We might internalize many negative beliefs and think and act in ableist ways even if we are living with a disability. This is something that I continue to have to work through today for my own self-care and self-esteem. National AccessAbility Week prompts Canadians to become active participants in creating an inclusive society by fostering empathy, understanding, and compassion. 

Various events and initiatives are organized throughout the country to promote accessibility – likely there are some in a city near you!  

Here are a few places to check out for learning opportunities: 

These platforms allow individuals to learn from one another, exchange experiences, and collectively work towards building an inclusive and accommodating society. How much do you know about accessibility and the experiences of persons with disabilities? How can you share your learnings with others? Suppose you are someone who is living with a disability. Do you have a safe space (virtually or in-person) where you can discuss with other people living with disabilities and form a support community? 

Evaluate Your Workplace 

National AccessAbility Week encourages businesses and organizations to evaluate and enhance accessibility standards. It is an opportunity for employers to recognize the value and potential of individuals with disabilities in the workforce and ensure that workplaces are welcoming, supportive, and accessible. By removing physical, digital, and attitudinal barriers, employers can tap into an underutilized pool of talent and create a diverse and inclusive workforce that benefits both the organization and the individuals. 

When you look at your workplace demographics and leadership succession plans, do you see representation of persons with disabilities? 

The week also provides an excellent opportunity for policymakers to assess the progress made in creating an inclusive society and identify areas which need further attention. Accessibility is not a one-time achievement but an ongoing process that requires continuous efforts and collaboration. By evaluating existing policies and implementing new measures, we can ensure that the rights and needs of individuals with disabilities are adequately addressed and protected. When evaluating current practices, or designing new initiatives, ensure that persons with disabilities are included in that process and keep intersectionality in mind. There are many different types of disability, and they interact with our other identities in varying ways. The more perspectives we have in the planning, design, and evaluation process, the better because you can’t build anything for us as a community without us.  

Not sure where your start with your review? CCDI Consulting offers advisory services for policy review: Advisory Services | CCDI Consulting.

#NationalAccessAbilityWeek #AccessAbilityWeek #WorkplaceInclusion

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