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Three masked disabled people of color chat while strolling through an outdoor courtyard. On the left, an Indigenous woman wears glasses, wrist support braces, and waist trainers paired with a off-shoulder top and wide leg pants. In the middle, a Black non-binary woman walks with a rollator and wears waist trainers with ice pack inserts over their rainbow striped dress. On the right, a Latinx non-binary person walks while using a teal functional grip cane.

Why do we need anti-racism in accessibility work?

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“Do I put my race before my disability or my disability before my race?” I often battle with this question in spaces I enter. As a visibly disabled Filipinx Canadian living with cerebral palsy, I recognize that I don’t have the privilege to choose because both identities are highly visible…. Read More

A woman of colour and a white man using a white cane walking through the hallway of an urban subway system. He is holding her arm for guidance.

Meaningful, accessible wayfinding signage

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Wayfinding signage is only truly effective when it is meaningfully accessible. Good signage empowers people to navigate spaces independently and confidently. Poorly designed signage, however, can create barriers, confusion, and frustration, especially for people with disabilities. Meaningful, accessible wayfinding signage is not about simply meeting minimum standards. It is about… Read More

A woman looks happy and confident as she leads a group discussion at her place of work. She is wearing a yellow sweater and is a wheelchair user.

The Untapped Accessibility Think Tank model: A rigorous, relatable, and rich way to consult people with disabilities

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In recent years, the importance of including people with disabilities in research, policy discussions, and the development of accessible services has become increasingly recognized across both academic and governmental sectors. However, in my own experience working and teaching at post-secondary institutions across the country, the values of trust and rapport… Read More

A motorized wheelchair user in a green shirt is pictured from the side. They are leaning forward to point at a flipbook being held open and presented to them by a person in a floral blouse.

Strategies for engaging the disability community

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“Nothing about us, without us” is a principle that underscores the importance of including disabled people in shaping initiatives that impact their lives directly. When we are involved from the start, outcomes are more inclusive, equitable, and ultimately more successful. This blog explores strategies for engaging the disability community, rooted… Read More

A group of four people sit together on a bench. The person in the middle is holding a laptop that the others are all looking at the screen of. Two more people walk past them in the background.

How to bring accessibility policy to life: moving beyond compliance

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In my personal experience as the Accessibility Officer of an Ontario university, I saw firsthand that a compliance mindset doesn’t result in a more accessible organization. To create a more accessible organization requires dedicated accessibility leadership, broad employee involvement, and a focus on changing culture. In this blog post, I’m… Read More

The introduction to a module from the French language version of the food banks e-learning course.

The importance of accessibility in eLearning: Insights from the Food Banks Canada eLearning project

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“The disability community is the only minority that we will all join at some point in our life.”- Tina Friml, Comedian1 I’m often asked why I focus my professional practice around accessibility in general and accessible learning design specifically. The question is usually some polite or variation of “why”? Some… Read More

A young man with Down Syndrome presenting a business project to his team in a boardroom. He is wearing a flannel shirt and reading off of a laptop in front of him.

2024 International Day of Persons with Disabilities: Encouraging employees with disabilities to occupy leadership roles

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December 3 is International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The observance of this significant day was proclaimed in 1992 by the United Nations General Assembly resolution 47/3. International Day of Persons with Disabilities strives to: The International Day of Persons with Disabilities theme for this year focuses on increasing the… Read More

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Summary of “Operationalizing the Accessible BC Act: Stories from accessibility leaders” webinar

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On October 29, 2024, Untapped Accessibility hosted a webinar focused on the practical implementation of the Accessible BC Act. The session was moderated by Yat Li (Accessible Employers). The discussion highlighted actionable insights and stories from accessible leaders across sectors, including Colin Reid (BC CAISE), Keely Kidner (District of Squamish),… Read More

a person seated in a wheelchair, wearing a sequined gown and heels

Planning an inclusive and accessible event

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The holiday season is just around the corner. We all look forward to gathering with colleagues, friends, and family to socialize, celebrate accomplishments, and enjoy each other’s company. However, if accessibility is not prioritized, it’s easy for a joyful event to turn into a disappointment when not everyone can participate…. Read More

Designing for all: The importance of Universal Design in the built environment

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Living in a world not designed for you Imagine a world designed exclusively for children. As an adult, you’d find yourself constantly adapting—banging your knees on tables, bumping your head on everything, and tripping down stairs too small for your feet. Handrails would be too low, and every action would… Read More