National AccessAbility Week: May 28 to June 3, 2023

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Disability Inclusion: From Possibilities to Practice

Join us from May 28 to June 3, 2023 to celebrate:

  • the valuable contributions and leadership of persons with disabilities in Canada
  • the work of allies, organizations and communities that are removing barriers
  • ongoing efforts to become a more accessible and inclusive Canada

This year the theme for National AccessAbility Week is “Disability Inclusion: From Possibilities to Practice”.

Our country’s strength lies in the diversity of its people – all its people. And we can all contribute to this vision.

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Canadian Congress on Disability Inclusion

The Canadian Congress on Disability Inclusion is taking place May 24 to 26, 2023.

The Congress will open National AccessAbility Week and will be virtual, interactive, accessible, free, and open to all Canadians. It will support the sharing of insights to help shape accessible and inclusive communities and workplaces across Canada by bringing together:

The Congress will feature:

For more information and to register, visit the Canadian Congress on Disability Inclusion page.

Follow us on Twitter and Facebook to find out how you can participate in the various activities during National AccessAbility Week.

Message from the Minister

Minister Qualtrough launches National AccessAbility Week 2023

Transcript

Title:  Minister Qualtrough launches National AccessAbility Week 2023

[A sequence of videos appears on the screen while upbeat music plays. The sequence includes: a close up of 2 people holding hands at the beach, one of whom is in a wheelchair; a person using a braille typewriter; a person with a prosthetic arm writing on a notepad.]

[The Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, Carla Qualtrough, appears on screen and begins to speak.]

Happy National AccessAbility Week everyone! From May 28 to June 3, 2023, we celebrate the contributions of the over 6.2 million Canadians who have a disability. There will be celebrations in communities and workplaces across Canada during this important week. Celebrations that will spotlight the individuals, organizations, and communities who are working to make Canada more inclusive.

[Another sequence of videos appears as the Minister continues speaking. The sequence includes: a group of children with disabilities sitting on the floor of a classroom; several people at a park, including one person in a wheelchair; a person with a disability using an electronic tablet, while another person smiles and watches; a person in a wheelchair strumming a guitar; a person with a visual impairment walking along a street; a group of persons with invisible disabilities and a person in a wheelchair gathered in an office and looking at the camera.]

I challenge you to imagine a Canada where no one is left out. Where disability and diversity is sought out and celebrated, and the needs of everyone are considered from the beginning. A Canada where we are disability inclusive from the start. That’s the Canada we deserve. That’s the Canada we are creating – for everyone. 

[The Minister comes back on screen and continues her speech.]

In the spirit of “Nothing Without Us,” we’re working with the disability community to make this a reality. Last year’s celebration was an incredible success and we’ve made so much progress in the last 12 months. So we’re building on it, with this year’s theme, “Disability Inclusion: From Possibilities to Practice.”

[Another sequence of videos appears as the Minister continues speaking. The sequence includes: a pair of children communicating using sign language; a person at a running track pulling their pant leg over their prosthetic leg; a person sitting in a wheelchair and painting.]

In October, our Government released Canada’s first-ever Disability Inclusion Action Plan. It is a blueprint for change organized under 4 pillars:

[Text that reads “Disability Inclusion Action Plan” appears on the screen. The 4 pillars appear on the screen as the Minister reads them off.]

Financial security; employment; accessible and Inclusive Communities; and a modern approach to disability. 

[A video appears of a person supporting a smiling young child with a disability and helping them to walk.]

[The Minister comes back on screen and continues her speech.]

Under the pillar of financial security, we are creating the Canada Disability Benefit. Legislation is currently before our Parliament to create this monthly income supplement for working-age persons with disabilities in Canada.

[Another sequence of videos appears as the Minister continues speaking. The sequence includes: a person with a disability speaking to a co-worker and placing a hand on the co-worker’s shoulder, laughing together, before the person with a disability walks away; a person in a wheelchair moving through a kitchen; a person with a visual impairment being assisted by another person to read a braille book.]

This benefit has the potential to lift hundreds of thousands of people out of poverty. I look forward to seeing it pass through Parliament as soon as possible.

[The Minister comes back on screen and continues her speech. As she speaks, another sequence of videos appears. The sequence includes: a person with a prosthetic arm sitting at a desk and reading documents; a person with a disability showing their co-worker something on their phone; a person in a wheelchair in an office, speaking to a co-worker; a person with a prosthetic leg standing in a workshop, looking at the camera; a person with a disability working behind the counter of a coffee shop, serving a customer, a person with a visual impairment reading a braille book; a person using a laptop and putting on a pair of color-blind glasses.]

We also created the Disability Inclusion Business Council. Where government and the private sector are working together to make Canada’s workplaces disability inclusive, so persons with disabilities can bring our lived experience and expertise to the table. Stay tuned throughout the week for more news about how we’re investing to help persons with disabilities reach their full potential. This progress is only possible because of the disability community, who have, for generations, called for action to support the financial security of persons with disabilities.

[The Minister comes back on screen and continues her speech.]

What you’ve fought for, and achieved, matters. You’re who this week is really about. Thank you for making Canada more inclusive, and more vibrant thanks to your lived experience. Our strength lies in the diversity of our people – all of us. Happy National AccessAbility Week, Canada!

[A final sequence of videos appears on the screen. The sequence includes: a close up of a person with a prosthetic arm holding hands with another person; a child with a disability using a tablet while another person watches; a person working in a manufacturing plant; a pair of children communicating using sign language; a close up of a person with a prosthetic leg as they run; a person in a wheelchair strumming a guitar; a person in a wheelchair holding hands with another person, at the beach.]

[Text appears on the screen, reading: Join the conversation #NAAW2023]

[The final screen has the Canada wordmark with the animated waving flag.]

Get involved

Promotional toolkit

Services and information

Making an accessible Canada for persons with disabilities
Find out how communities, workplaces and services can contribute to a Canada without barriers where everyone can take part in fully.

Canada Pension Plan Disability Benefit
A taxable benefit that individuals may be eligible for if they are unable to work because of a disability.

Registered Disability Savings Plan
A savings plan to help participants save for the long-term financial security of a person with a disability tax credit certificate. To help savings grow, the government provides matching grants, as well as bonds for low- and modest-income beneficiaries.

Enabling Accessibility Fund
Supports community and workplace-based projects across Canada aimed at improving accessibility and safety in communities and workplaces.

Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities
Contributes to projects that help persons with disabilities find jobs in Canada.

Social Development Partnerships Program - Disability
Supports activities from social not-for-profit organizations that help persons with disabilities to take part in all aspects of Canadian society.

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