YMCA Canada National AccessAbility Week (NAAW) Virtual Event Series
The week of May 26 to June 1 is National AccessAbility Week (NAAW)!
YMCA Canada is delivering a series of workshops and dialogue events during National AccessAbility Week 2024. Building on YMCA Canada’s successful NAAW 2023, this year’s dialogue events focus on increasing the knowledge of understanding disability and accessibility from a global and decolonial perspective. The workshops focus on increasing capacity for creating inclusive and accessible spaces at YMCAs.
These events are open to all YMCA staff and volunteers and staff and volunteers from our partner organizations, Accessibility for All (AfA) and the Canadian Institute for the Blind (CNIB).
All events require pre-registration.
YMCA Canada NAAW Dialogue Events 2024
Accessibility and Ableism from a Global Perspective
Monday, May 27 from 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm ET
Presenters: Ana Sofia Barrows and Meenu Sikand, Accessibility for All
This presentation provides a global context for the conversation around disability and accessibility. The speakers will be disrupting dominant narratives about accessibility and disability by referring to the perspectives of immigrant and Indigenous communities from the Global South.
Bimaadiziwin-Gikendaasowin - Decolonizing Disability within Settler Colonialism
Tuesday, May 28 from 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm ET
Speaker: Nicole Ineese-Nash, Toronto Metropolitan University
This presentation examines the concept of disablement through the lens of colonial ableism, aimed at understanding and addressing the roots of ableism in settler colonial contexts. It explores the historical and systemic factors that have shaped perceptions and treatment of disability, asserting that colonialism has significantly contributed to disabling Indigenous peoples.
By engaging with this session, attendees will gain insights into effective strategies for creating more equitable and empathetic systems that value and uplift the experiences of disabled individuals, aligning with broader goals of decolonization and social justice.
Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility in the Workplace - IDEA 102
Wednesday, May 29 from 1:00 pm -2:00 pm ET
Presenter: Mahadeo Sukhai, CNIB
Building on last year’s talk IDEA 101, this presentation deepens an understanding of accessibility in the workplace by interrogating the “duty to accommodate” framework.
YMCA Canada NAAW Workshops 2024
Getting in the Door - Barriers to Employment to Persons with Disabilities
Thursday, May 30 from 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm ET
Facilitators: CNIB
This workshop explores barriers to employment for people with disabilities by examining recruitment, outreach, interview, and onboarding processes.
IMPACT - Participatory Theatre, Part 1
Tuesday, June 4 from 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm ET
Facilitators: CNIB
With participation from the audience, the facilitators will act out a day in the life of a person with a disability and the barriers they encounter.
IMPACT - Participatory Theatre Debrief, Part 2
Thursday, June 5 from 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm ET
Facilitators: CNIB
In this session, participants will be guided through a debrief of the IMPACT participatory session held on June 4. The session will focus on the unexpected barriers that are encountered by persons with disabilities.
About National AccessAbility Week (NAAW)
NAAW is dedicated to celebrating the valuable contributions and leadership of Canadians with disabilities, highlighting the work of individuals and organizations who are making spaces more accessible and disability inclusive, and taking action to strive towards disability justice within our Federation and beyond.
YMCA Canada’s NAAW events are made possible by a grant from the Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) and collaboration with our partners Accessibility for All (AfA) and the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB).
Our Partners
Founded in 1918, the CNIB Foundation is a non-profit organization driven to change what it is to be blind today. They deliver innovative programs and powerful advocacy that empower people impacted by blindness to live their dreams and tear down barriers to inclusion. Their work as a blind foundation is powered by a network of volunteers, donors, and partners from coast to coast to coast. The CNIB website is found here.
Accessibility for All (AfA) is a non-profit organization working to identify, address, and meet the needs of marginalized communities in Canada. Their mission is to be a catalyst for creating local and global alliances to promote inclusion, equality, accessibility, disability rights, and economic empowerment for persons with disabilities with a focus on women, youth, and seniors. The AfA website is found here.
Accessibility Information
The speakers will present in English. French interpretation and live English and French captions will be available. Live ASL and LSQ will be available. Please email [email protected] to let us know how we can make this event more accessible to you.