National AccessAbility Week

Established in 1988, the week starting on the last Sunday in May is National AccessAbility Week (NAAW) across Canada. This week allows for the opportunity to listen, learn, and advocate – real change happens when everyone comes together.

For the Defence Team, NAAW is also a chance to promote equity in the workplace and among our ranks. A chance to reaffirm our commitment to address accessibility gaps and barriers in our organization. It also gives us an occasion to recognize and celebrate the remarkable contributions Defence Team members with disabilities have made to our public service, to our military, and to Canada.

To learn more about the Defence Team’s efforts to address barriers within the organization please read the 2025-2027 Defence Team Accessibility Plan.

What’s happening for the week?

You can do a different activity every day this week! Full details below the calendar.

calendar information

Mon, June 1	Tues, June 2	Wed, June 3	Thurs, June 4	Fri, June 5
1. Accessibility World Cup Championship (takes place all week! Register by May 29) 2. Host a NAAW watch party for the Government of Canada-wide event	3. Check out the Digital Accessibility Toolkit	4. Participate in the Defence Team Accessibility Online Consultation	5. Take some Plain Language Training today	6. Complete the Digital Accessibility Passport

1. Accessibility World Cup Championship Challenge

• Who: All Defence Team members
• What: The Accessibility, Accommodation and Adaptive Computer Technology (AAACT) Program invites you to play the Accessibility World Cup Championship – a one-week, interactive challenge all about learning, teamwork, and friendly competition across the public service.
  Each morning, you’ll receive a quick (5 minute) GC Forms quiz. Submit your answers, see the correct responses instantly, and track your progress. Correct responses score goals for your team. The scores will be adjusted by team size, so every team has an equal chance to claim the title!
• When: Register before Friday, May 29 to participate in the weeklong challenge from Monday, June 1 to Friday, June 5.
• Where: Register online for the Accessibility World Cup Championship

2. Advancing Accessibility by Removing Barriers (Government of Canada-wide event)

• Who: Open to all Government of Canada employees and Defence Team members, hosted by Canada School of Public Service (CSPS)
• What: This event will profile digital tools, including internal platforms and workplace accessibility supports, and how they were developed with accessibility in mind. It will also highlight how thoughtful design and inclusive content practices help remove barriers to accessing and interacting with digital information, and advance digital accessibility at scale.
• When: Monday, June 1, 13h30 – 1500h
• Where: Virtual – register through your CSPS account

3. Digital Accessibility Toolkit

• Who: All Defence Team members
• What: The Digital Accessibility Toolkit has a variety of learning materials and resources to help you learn and incorporate accessibility into your work. You can find accessibility basics, and resources such as how-to guides for creating accessible documents, meetings, and services. Accessible documents, events, and services provide equitable access to opportunities and inclusion in the workplace.
• When: Tuesday, June 2
• Where: Find resources online with the Digital Accessibility Toolkit

4. Defence Team Accessibility Online Consultation

• Who: All Defence Team members
• What: The Defence Team Accessibility Office (DTAO) wants to hear from you! Have your voice heard by completing the 2026 Defence Team Accessibility Online Consultation. Your feedback will help us understand barriers to accessibility, track progress, and determine what is needed to create a more inclusive workplace.
  The full questionnaire takes approximately 45 minutes to fill out. The short version focuses primarily on identifying barriers to accessibility and takes approximately 15 minutes to complete, with the option to answer more questions if you are interested.
• Where: GC Forms

5. Plain Language Training

• Who: All Defence Team members
• What: Join the Accessibility, Accommodation and Adaptive Computer Technology (AAACT) Program for a training session on plain language for Government of Canada writers. Learn why it matters and how to apply simple techniques to improve clarity and consistency in your writing.
• When:

• Where: Register online

6. Complete the Digital Accessibility Passport!

• Who: Public service employees and their managers (public servants and CAF)
• What: The GC Workplace Accessibility Passport (the Passport) is a tool for public service employees to get the tools and supports they need to succeed in the workplace. The Passport supports conversations between employees and their managers to address workplace barriers and put solutions in place. The Passport keeps employees from having to renegotiate tools or support measures when they change organizations, teams or managers.
• Where: Create a Passport

More ways to get involved

Do you have workplace accessibility-related feedback that you'd like to provide? We’d love to hear from you through the Defence Team Accessibility Feedback and Request Form.

Are you committed to the principles of employment equity, diversity, and inclusion? Consider joining the Defence Advisory Group for Persons with Disabilities (DAGPWD). Questions or requests to join can be sent to DAGSecretariat-SecretariatGCD@forces.gc.ca.

Visit the Canada School of Public Service to access their wide range of courses, videos, articles, and more about accessibility.

Accessibility at the Department of National Defence and Canadian Armed Forces

Do you have questions about accessibility or are you seeking accessibility-related resources? Contact the Defence Team Accessibility Office.