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.
Scroll down to discover the many ways to join the celebrations from May 26th to June 1st, 2024.
Participate in our #NAAWChallenge
Do you know a person with a disability who...
Advocates for themselves or others
Points out the barriers they encounter
Calls out non-inclusive language
Shares their story or experiences
Once again, this year for National AccessAbility Week, we're challenging all Canadians to celebrate people with disabilities for their leadership, impact and voice. Make a video or post about how that person is making an impact – it could be a neighbour, friend, celebrity or Instagram creator. Challenge that person to do the same, and make sure you use the #NAAWChallenge hashtag to join the chain of recognition!
Follow the challenge hashtag here
Come together to learn about the Power of Mind-Friendly Communities
RHF is excited to bring together people with expertise and diverse lived experience perspectives in a webinar format to discuss how our communities can be more inclusive of neurodivergent individuals. This free webinar will spark discussion on what it means to be neurodivergent and practical ways to create more mind-friendly environments for all.
Date: Monday, May 27th, 2024
Time: 10am PT / 1pm ET
Celebrate #NAAW by joining one of our School Program Webinars
Geared towards elementary students, these free webinars will spark conversation about accessibility and inclusion.
Language and Interactions
Words have power, and so do actions. In this 30-minute webinar, students will learn about the importance of how our words and actions can be used for good, and how we can use them to include instead of exclude!
Date: Tuesday, May 28th, 2024
Time: 10am PT / 1pm ET
Inclusive Sport and Physical Activity
Offering two sessions in both French and English, RHFSP is excited to host 30-minute webinars on inclusive sport and physical activity. Students will hear from young athletes on why and how accessible physical activity is important and the different ways that sport can be adaptive and inclusive for all. Let’s create a world where no student is left on the bench!
English Session
Date: Thursday, May 30th, 2024
Time: 8:30am PT / 11:30am ET
French Session
Date: Thursday, May 30th, 2024
Time: 10:00am PT / 1:00pm ET
Be a Difference Maker!
Everyone can be a Difference Maker, and no action is too small to make a big difference for all people with disabilities! Encourage your students to be inclusion leaders.
We will finish the week by announcing this year’s RHF School Program Difference Maker of the Year Award recipients– youth across the country who are improving access and inclusion for people with disabilities.
Date: Friday, May 31st , 2024
Time: 11am PT / 2pm ET
Fly a National AccessAbility Week Flag
We've created a flag which you can use at your school, workplace, event, or online! Download it for free below, and we would love to see how you use it. Tag @rickhansenfdn in any pictures you share on social media, or email us for a chance to be featured in our blog or newsletter.
Join the Conversation
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!
Learn more about Universal Design
We've created these free universal design guidelines to help your location become more accessible.
Donate to Build a More Accessible Future
In honour of National AccessAbility Week, make a gift to the Rick Hansen Foundation. It’s time everyone, everywhere is included in society.