Every year, starting on the last Sunday in May, Canadians celebrate National AccessAbility Week (NAAW). Founded as ‘National Access Awareness Week’ in 1988 and inspired by Rick Hansen’s Man In Motion World Tour, this week is an opportunity to celebrate Canadians with disabilities and raise awareness of the critical need for accessibility and inclusion for all in our communities and workplaces.
Double your impact! In honour of National AccessAbility Week, a generous donor will match every gift made between May 29th and July 12th dollar for dollar. We need your help to reach our $25,000 goal and continue to improve the lives of people with disabilities. Every dollar counts.
Scroll down to discover the many ways you join the celebrations for #NAAW2022 from May 29th to June 4th, 2022!
Leading Change: Young Disability Champions in Conversation with Rick Hansen
May 31, 2022
Rick Hansen connects with young leaders to discuss how students can lead the way towards improving disability awareness, inclusion and accessibility in today’s society. Suitable for youth and adults Grade 6 and up.
The Power of Inclusive Workplaces Panel
June 2, 2022
Designed to provoke conversation on how a disability inclusive workplace promotes equity and inclusion, this event will provide you with helpful tips to bring back to your workplace.
Teach Youth about the Importance of Accessibility
Try our Accessibility Inspectors Little Big Lesson, created for National AccessAbility Week! Students take on the role of accessibility inspectors and use checklists to inspect their classrooms, schools, and homes. They then share their ideas about how to improve accessibility in these places. This lesson is appropriate for home or the classroom, and is intended for Grades 3-7.
More National AccessAbility Week Events:
Join an engaging and impactful virtual presentation with one of our RHF Ambassadors:
- RHF Ambassador Shawn Courchesne together with the Neil Squire Society in New Brunswick (French Presentation): Join us on May 31st
- RHF Ambassador Casey Perrin together with the Neil Squire Society in New Brunswick (English Presentation: Join us on June 1st
Join the Movement!
All week long, we’ll be sharing stories, news and exciting announcements about people, organizations and places who are making a difference for people with disabilities. Follow along on our Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram channels to stay in the loop!
You can help spread the important message of accessibility awareness! Download our Social Media Banners, or check out the Community Toolikit from Employment and Social Development Canada!
On Wednesday, June 1st, we will finish the week by announcing this year’s RHF School Program Difference Maker of the Year Award winners – youth, community leaders and educators across the country who are improving access and inclusion for people with disabilities.
Learn more about Universal Design
We've created these free universal design guidelines to help your location become more accessible.
Donate to Double Your Impact
Double your impact! In honour of National AccessAbility Week, a generous donor will match every gift made between May 29th and June 24th, dollar for dollar up to $25,000.