AccessAbility Day

From the City of Ottawa

On May 30, we will celebrate the City’s 21st annual AccessAbility Day, which is held as part of National AccessAbility Week. This is a day to celebrate the contributions and leadership of people with disabilities in our communities, to highlight the work of people, organizations and communities that are removing barriers, and to reflect on how we can all work together to achieve a more accessible and inclusive society.

One of the goals of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) is to become a fully accessible Ontario by 2025. With that milestone fast approaching, this year’s theme is Looking towards 2025 and the future of accessibility. 

Please join us, Members of Council, senior leaders, staff and residents as we mark this important day.   

Date: Thursday, May 30

Time: 10 am to 2:30 pm

Place: In-person event at Ottawa City Hall, 110 Laurier Ave; the morning event will be livestreamed via the City’s YouTube channel 

RSVP: Please use the AccessAbility day registration form to register by May 20

Speakers and presentations will include: 

• Welcome and proclamation from Mayor Mark Sutcliffe 

• Remarks from City Manager Wendy Stephanson and Councillor Marty Carr, Councillor Liaison for the Accessibility Advisory Committee

• A presentation from the current Chair and Vice Chair of the Accessibility Advisory Committee

• Updates on the City of Ottawa’s Municipal Accessibility Plan

• A keynote address from Phillip B. Turcotte, advocate, disability champion and former chair of the City’s Accessibility Advisory Committee

To promote the inclusion of all participants, the following accessibility supports will be in place for the event: 

• American Sign Language (ASL) 

• Langue des signes québécoise (LSQ) 

• Continuous real-time captioning in English and French 

• Simultaneous French translation 

• Personal Support Workers 

We hope you can join in the celebration!