Awareness Dates

Manitoba Access
Awareness Week

Date: May 26 to June 1, 2024

Resources Free Webinars

Originally recognized in the 1980s, Manitoba Access Awareness Week (MAAW) is celebrated annually each June. This weeklong awareness celebration promotes accessibility and inclusion. It also acknowledges the people who are working to prevent, identify and remove barriers to accessibility, while also raising awareness about accessibility issues within the province that affect people with disabilities and many others.

Spread Awareness

Nearly every Manitoban either has a disability, knows someone with a disability, or will develop a disability at some point in their life. People with disabilities come from all social, economical and educational backgrounds. A disability can occur at any stage of life and may be temporary or permanent. Removing barriers benefits all Manitobans.

Help spread awareness about accessibility issues during Manitoba Accessibility Week.

• follow along on social media by using #AccessibleMB
• encourage conversations within your community, at home, in the workplace or online about issues affecting Manitobans with disabilities
• learn more about The Accessibility for Manitobans Act
• view and read the Manitoba government's official MAAW proclamation

Manitoba Access Awareness Week 2024 Event

The Manitoba Accessibility Office is proud to be presenting four webinars in celebration of Manitoba Access Awareness Week. Presentations will take place throughout the week and all feature topics related to achieving accessible information and communication within your organization.  

All webinars will have accessibility measures such as American Sign Language interpretation (ASL), live closed captioning and French interpretation services.

Recordings of the webinars will also be available to those unable to participate in real-time.

FREE WEBINARS:

Webinar #1: Kick-Off to Manitoba Access Awareness Week Featuring an Overview of Requirements under the Accessible Information and Communication Standard Regulation

The Accessible Information and Communication Standard Regulation introduces new requirements and compliance deadlines for all organizations subject to the Accessibility for Manitobans Act.

This session will cover:

• the legal requirements of the regulation
• what your organization needs to do to comply
• what members of the public can expect when requesting accessible information

• Date: May 27, 2024
• Time: 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
• Presenters: Monika Bonsor, The Manitoba Accessibility Compliance Secretariat

Register to Attend 

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Webinar #2: Getting Started with Accessible Communication and Marketing

There are many ways people access information and communication because of their differing abilities to see, hear and understand information or communicate with others. Presenting information in a variety of ways will improve communication for everyone.

This session will cover:

• the principles of digital accessibility – what it is and what it means?
• how audiences with different needs benefit from accessible information
• three ways you can start creating more accessible content

• Date: May 28, 2024
• Time: 1:00 – 2:30 pm
• Presenter: Kelly Thibodeau

Register to Attend

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Webinar #3: WCAG Requirements and Working with Web Developers to Create Accessible Websites

The internet has become an integral part of our daily lives, providing us with access to information, services and entertainment. But how can we ensure it remains accessible to everyone?

This session will cover:

• an overview of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)
• how to work with web developers to create accessible websites and digital content

• Date: May 29, 2024
• Time: 1:00 – 2:30 pm
• Presenter: Andrew Boardman

Register to Attend

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Webinar #4: Why Accessibility Audits are Important and What’s Involved in the Process

When barriers are removed everyone benefits. But how do you ensure that your website remains accessible to as many audiences as possible?

This session will cover:

• an overview of accessibility audits
• understanding the process to completing an accessibility audit
• the accessibility audit is complete, now what?

• Date: May 30, 2024
• Time: 1:00 – 2:30 pm
• Presenter: Lisa Snider

Register to Attend

Resources

Proclamation

• Manitoba Access Awareness Week Proclamation

Past Events

• MAAW 2023 Webinar Presentation (Zoom Video Link)

Disability Employment
Awareness Month

Date: October, 2024

Resources

The Manitoba government officially proclaimed October as Disability Employment Awareness Month (DEAM) in 2012. This month long celebration is part of a national effort, with provinces across Canada also participating in the awareness celebrations.

Disability Employment Awareness Month celebrates the positive contributions people with disabilities make toward developing a more diverse and inclusive workforce for all. During the month, employers are encouraged to highlight the positive contributions that employees with disabilities make within their businesses.

Raise Awareness

Did you know that nearly one in four Manitobans has a disability?

That means that chances are, one of your employees or future employees may have a disability. Making small accommodations in the workplace cost little to nothing and can positively affect your business. It expands your businesses pool of qualified candidates and can help retain employees.

Start the conversation by celebrating Disability Employment Awareness Month.

• follow along on social media by using #AccessibleMB
• learn more about Canada’s contributions by visiting Canada.ca
• learn about Manitoba’s Accessible Employment Standard and The Accessibility for Manitobans Act
• view and read the Manitoba government's official DEAM proclamation

Resources

Proclamation

• Disability Employment Awareness Month Proclamation (PDF)

Indigenous Disability
Awareness Month

Date: November, 2024

Resources

The British Columbia Aboriginal Network on Disability Society (BCANDS) created Indigenous Disability Awareness Month in 2015. In 2021, the Manitoba government recognized November as Indigenous Disability Awareness Month (IDAM).

Manitobans join people across the country in promoting awareness of the barriers experienced by Indigenous people living with disabilities.

Annually, Indigenous Disability Awareness Month is recognized in British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Manitoba and by the Assembly of First Nations, BC First Nations Summit, Métis Nation of BC, Council of Yukon First Nations, the Town of Inuvik, and hundreds of other organizations and communities across Canada. The recognition of the month is the only Indigenous disability-specific awareness initiative of its kind in the world.

In 2017, the United Nations International Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities recommended to Canada to officially recognize and proclaim November as IDAM as an annual event.

Get Involved

Indigenous peoples across Canada experience a disability rate that is much higher than that of the general population. Indigenous Disability Awareness Month (IDAM) brings awareness of the barriers and issues that Indigenous peoples living with disabilities and their families experience every day. Despite these barriers, there is much to celebrate.

Indigenous Disability Awareness Month highlights the achievements of Indigenous peoples living with disabilities and recognizes the significant and valuable contributions they make to our communities, including socially, economically and culturally.

Get involved and recognize the valuable contributions that Indigenous peoples with disabilities make to their communities.

• follow along on social media by using #AccessibleMB
• view and read the Manitoba government's official IDAM proclamation
• learn more about The Accessibility for Manitobans Act
• visit British Columbia Aboriginal Network on Disability Society to learn more about their programs and initiatives

Resources

Proclamation

• Indigenous Disability Awareness Month Proclamation (PDF)