National AccessAbility Week promotes inclusion in all aspects of life

May 26 to June 1 is National AccessAbility Week (NAAW). The Burlington Accessibility Advisory Committee is inviting residents of all abilities to recognize and celebrate the contributions of people with disabilities, as well as to promote accessibility and inclusion in all aspects of life. This year’s theme is “Forward Together: Accessibility and Inclusion for All”.

Flag raising at City Hall

A NAAW flag designed by the Rick Hansen Foundation will be raised at City Hall on May 24 at 9 a.m. with elected officials. NAAW was originally inspired by Rick Hansen’s Man in Motion World Tour in 1988.

Residents, organizations and community stakeholders are welcome to attend this event.

ReadAbility, in partnership with Burlington Public Library

Join a special guest storyteller on June 1 as they read stories and share their own personal experiences living with a disability. Learn more by visiting bpl.on.ca.

• 1 to 1:45 p.m., Burlington Public Library – Brant Hills Branch
• 2 to 2:45 p.m., Burlington Public Library – Alton and Central Branches

MapMission

Similar to a scavenger hunt, MapMission brings people together to rate how accessible places are in real-time on the AccessNow app. Users of the app can also use the information from others to plan their day to potentially avoid inaccessible or target welcoming areas.

To participate, download the AccessNow app on your smartphone.

“Accessibility touches everyone, says Judi Lytle, accessibility specialist. "More than 28 per cent of Ontarians aged 15 and older are living with some form of disability that affects their activities of daily living and those of their families and friends. People with disabilities represent the world’s largest minority and the only minority group any one of us can become a member at any time.

"NAAW is an important time to reinforce how accessibility improves everyone’s lives and emphasize our social responsibility to make Burlington the most barrier free and inclusive community in Canada.”

About the Burlington Accessibility Advisory Committee

The Burlington Accessibility Advisory Committee advises on the identification, removal and prevention of barriers to people with disabilities in the City of Burlington's by-laws, policies, programs and services. The committee also:

• Works in partnership with the City to create the Multi-Year Corporate Accessibility Plan.
• Advises the City on accessibility issues to help remove existing barriers and prevent new barriers from being created.
• Participates in many accessibility public awareness activities throughout the year.

The committee reports to Council through the Committee of the Whole - Environment, Infrastructure and Community Services. 

To learn more about #NAAW2024 and the Burlington Accessibility Advisory Committee, visit Burlington.ca/baac.

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