The Defence Team strives to foster a disability inclusive organization: panel event wrap-up

January 12, 2026 - Defence Stories

Estimated read time – 1:30

Members of the Defence Team gathered, both in person and virtually, in early December to recognize International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD).

The United Nations created IDPD to raise awareness about the barriers faced by persons with disabilities (PwDs) and to promote their full and equal participation in all aspects of society. It serves as a platform to advocate for the rights and dignity of these individuals.

For the Defence Team, IDPD is an opportunity to promote equity in the workplace, and to reaffirm commitments to address gaps and barriers within the organization. 

The theme of the hybrid panel event, “Fostering a Disability Inclusive Organization”, spoke to the culture the Defence Team aspires to build, and guided the questions the panelists were asked.

The speakers spoke to a wide range of topics from, what “right” looks like when it comes to workplace accommodations, to what advice they would give new Defence Team members with disabilities.

To watch – or rewatch! – the impactful discussion please visit the IDPD campaign page on Canada.ca.

For more information about accessibility for the Defence Team and to see the plan to eliminate barriers for PwDs, please read the 2024 Defence Team Accessibility Plan Progress Report.

To support accessibility by providing advice to Defence Team leadership on barriers that prevent an equitable representation of PwDs, consider joining the Defence Advisory Group for Persons with Disabilities (DAGPWD) by contacting the Defence Advisory Group Secretariat.

If you have questions about accessibility or are seeking accessibility-related resources, contact the Defence Team Accessibility Office. You can also provide anonymous feedback on accessibility and report barriers by filling out the Defence Team Accessibility Feedback Form.