Non-profit organizations showing support for Canada’s ‘AccessAbility’ Week

Jun 1, 2021 | News

Canada’s AccessAbility Week is recognized countrywide from May 30 to June 5, 2021 and celebrates the theme of not leaving anyone behind or ignored.

AccessAbility Week was created in 2017 in order to promote accessibility and inclusion in communities and workplaces and this year, the theme is “Disability Inclusion 2021: Leaving No One Behind.”

Poster showing different kinds of disabilities
This is the fifth AccessAbility Week in Canada, and is celebrated to bring awareness and inclusivity to individuals with a disability Photo credit: Government of Canada

Employment and Social Development Canada urges Canadians to use the week to recognize Canadians with disabilities, as well as those actively removing barriers and ensuring persons with disabilities have an equal chance to participate.

“The increased social and economic inclusion of persons with disabilities has positive economic and social benefits, for persons with disabilities, for business, the economy and society in general,” according to a new proposed plan from Employment and Social Development Canada.

Many non-profit organizations in the Greater Toronto Area are taking part in this week of awareness, either through social media or by fundraising.

Community Living North Halton (CLNH) is an organization located in Milton that focuses the choices and personal growth of individuals with a developmental disability in the North Halton area.

Sheldon Samlall, the social media marketing coordinator at CLNH, said this is the first time CLNH is taking part in AccessAbility Week and wants to create a name for themselves within the community of people with disabilities.

“With AccessAbility Week, we want to take the time to highlight and shine the light on members of the community and all across the nation who have developmental disabilities,” Samlall said. “We want to focus on their wonderful contributions to society, the great things they do, and essentially how they make the world a better place.”

House with a driveway in need of repaving
Community Living North Halton created the Pave the Way fundraiser in order to repave the driveway of one of their resident homes so that it will be safe and accessible. Photo credit: Community Living North Halton

Samlall and his marketing team are currently raising money for their Pave the Way fundraiser, which was created in celebration of AccessAbility Week.

The purpose of the fundraiser is to raise money to refinish one of their many Halton Region residence driveways so it will be safe and accessible for everyone.

“We have about 14 resident housings for individuals with developmental disabilities that we own and support,” Samlall said. The driveway of that one home has seen better days, he said, and the week is a good way to raise funds for repaving.

The fundraiser is currently surpassed its goal of $2,500 and is continuing to take donations until June 5. Any extra contributions made over their target goal will go towards repaving two other resident driveways that require improvements.

Individuals with developmental disabilities at CLNH and support workers and will also be putting together a hot dog drive on June 4 as part of AccessAbility Week.

Anyone is able to take part and all proceeds will be added to the Pave the Way fundraiser.

For more information about AccessAbility Week in Canada, see below.

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