This newsletter is available in alternate formats on request. |
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Educational Webinar Series on The Accessibility for Manitobans Act and Accessibility Standards |
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The Manitoba Accessibility Office is excited to offer a series of specialized accessibility training sessions throughout 2026. These virtual sessions will be presented by members of the Manitoba Accessibility Office and feature accessibility experts. |
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Upcoming Training Sessions: |
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Navigating Accessible Employment: Responsibilities, Strategies and Tools
Discover the roles and responsibilities outlined in the Accessible Employment Standard as we explore key tactics for employers, barrier-free recruitment and workplace accommodation best practices. |
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Creating Accessible DocumentsCreating accessible Word documents doesn’t have to be complicated. This session is ideal for anyone who creates or edits Word documents and wants a practical starting point for making their content more inclusive. You’ll learn why accessibility in Word matters and how small changes can make a meaningful difference for people using assistive technologies. No advanced Word skills required. |
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Understanding Service Animal Accessibility in Manitoba
Join the Manitoba Accessibility Office and the Human Rights Commission as they outline what qualifies as a service animal, the rights of people who rely on them and the responsibilities of businesses and service providers. |
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Driving Inclusion: Understanding Manitoba’s Accessible Transportation Standard Regulation
Explore how the new Accessible Transportation Standard Regulation removes barriers to transportation and promotes equal access for work, education and daily life. |
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All webinar sessions will be hosted virtually on Zoom and will have accessibility measures such as American Sign Language interpretation (ASL) and live closed captioning. |
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Visit AccessibilityMB.ca to learn more about these training opportunities or to register to attend. |
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Intake for 2026-27 Manitoba Accessibility Fund Now Open |
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The Manitoba government is inviting eligible organizations to apply for one-time project funding of up to $50,000 through the Manitoba Accessibility Fund, Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine, minister responsible for accessibility, announced on January 30, 2026. |
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“The Manitoba Accessibility Fund empowers organizations across Manitoba to better serve everyone in their communities,” said Fontaine. “We know organizations want to make their services more accessible, they just need a bit of extra support to make it happen. We’re working together to remove barriers across the province.” |
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Manitoba-based registered charities, non-profit organizations, local businesses, on-reserve entities and municipalities can all apply to the Manitoba Accessibility Fund. Selected projects can receive up to 100 per cent of eligible costs, to a maximum of $50,000 per application. |
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Projects must align with the accessibility standards under The Accessibility for Manitobans Act and focus on customer service, employment, or information and communication. Each project must also meet at least one of the following objectives: |
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raise awareness about preventing and removing barriers improve access to information and communication electronically, in print or in person develop tools, resources and training to support compliance with accessibility standards
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The Manitoba Accessibility Fund is managed by The Winnipeg Foundation and uses investment returns to provide annual grants to support accessibility initiatives across the province. Since 2021, the fund has supported 143 projects, and has invested more than $3.3 million in accessibility improvements across Manitoba. |
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The application deadline is February 20, 2026. For full eligibility details and to apply, visit AccessibilityMB.ca. |
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Open the Door: Celebrating Indigenous Disability Leadership and Creative Expression |
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Staff from the Manitoba Accessibility Office were honoured to attend the premiere of Open the Door, a powerful new music video by Elder Frances Sinclair Kaspick. The January 16, 2026 event took place at Sergeant Tommy Prince Place in Winnipeg on Treaty One Territory. The gathering reflected the strength of Indigenous storytelling, the power of collective community, and the importance of ensuring all people can participate fully, a value aligned with the goals of The Accessibility for Manitobans Act. |
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Elder Frances, a member of Peguis First Nation, shared the long journey behind Open the Door. She explained that the project began in 2013, when she chose the title and wrote the lyrics. She spoke about her lived experience and her hope to open pathways for Indigenous people living with disabilities. |
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After more than a decade of development, she also spoke about how meaningful it was to finally share the work in person with those who supported her vision along the way. |
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The event was emceed by Tina Keeper, actress and media producer from Norway House Cree Nation. In addition to guiding the evening, Tina played a key collaborative role in shaping the music video. She shared that early in the process, she knew Juno Award–nominated artist Kimberley Dawn needed to be involved, noting that her voice and presence aligned naturally with the spirit and intent of the song. |
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Following the screening, Elder Frances received a standing ovation. Several speakers shared remarks, expressing gratitude for being part of a project that centres Indigenous disability perspectives. Families whose children appeared in the video also spoke about how meaningful it was to participate, highlighting the importance of representation for future generations. Accessibility Advisory Council member Shawna Joynt was also in attendance as she and her son were also in the video. |
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The creation of the music video was supported by the Manitoba Arts Council, with contributions from Chris Burke Gaffney (music producer and co writer), Kimberley Dawn (vocals) and Jesse Green of Strongfront TV (director and cinematographer). Southern Chiefs’ Organization also supported the event through their First Nations Disability Program. |
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The music video has been submitted to the imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival, the world’s largest Indigenous film and media arts festival. Its submission marks an exciting next step in sharing Open the Door with broader audiences. |
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Events like this remind us that accessibility is strengthened when communities lead solutions. The Manitoba Accessibility Office staff were struck by the deep sense of pride and collective care in the room. The gathering reflected the importance of access, belonging, and visibility for Indigenous Peoples living with disabilities. Our accessibility laws envision a Manitoba where everyone belongs, can participate and is recognized. Open the Door stands as a powerful example of how art can spark conversations, build understanding and create change. Inclusive spaces for all are possible, especially when culture, identity, and lived and living experience guide the work. |
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Spotlight on a Manitoba Accessibility Fund Project |
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The Canadian Mental Health Association Manitoba and Winnipeg (CMHA MW) is one of three CMHA agencies in the province, operating more than 24 sites and working toward a shared provincial vision and strategic direction. CMHA-MW provides free, recovery‑oriented mental health supports across rehabilitation and recovery services, housing, employment and youth services and community wellness and outreach. |
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CMHA-MW received a Manitoba Accessibility Fund grant to support the implementation of the DREAM Project (Developing Resources for Equitable Access to Mental Health Services) to reduce barriers to mental health information, enhance accessible communication and support compliance with The Accessibility for Manitobans Act. With the grant funds, CMHA was able to: |
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develop the CMHA Across Manitoba Accessibility Plan, which is published on cmhaacrossmb.ca translate multilingual mental health resources into English, French and Swahili, for African, Caribbean and Black (ACB) Canadian communities produce six ASL mental health videos informed by Deaf community feedback publish the CMHA Across Manitoba site map showcasing accessible features at the 24 sites install inclusive signage and a Phonak Sound Field assistive hearing system at the CMHA MW office launch a public accessibility feedback channel on the website cmhaacrossmb.ca
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This work strengthened accessibility across digital platforms, print materials, in-person learning spaces and public communication. |
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The DREAM Project resulted in significant improvements to accessibility within CMHA MW and across Manitoba. |
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CMHA Manitoba and Winnipeg is continuing to advance accessibility through DREAM 2.0 to strengthen inclusive mental health services. This work includes new accessibility training, developed with disability partners and Indigenous Elders, along with on‑demand ASL mental health resources co‑created with Deaf community members. CMHA remains grounded in our guiding belief: Accessibility is a commitment to ensuring every person can access mental health support with dignity, respect and belonging. |
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Accessible Employment Policy Template – New Resource Available |
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Did you know, if your organization is a large employer in Manitoba, you are required to have a written accessible employment policy? The Accessible Employment Standard Regulation came into force for organizations in all sectors on May 1, 2022. Its numbered sections identify the written policy requirements that will help your organization to provide reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. |
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A new instructional page, Creating an Accessible Employment Policy, and accessible employment policy template is now available for organizations to follow and adopt. The template meets all regulated requirements for accommodating employees and prospective employees who are temporarily, permanently or episodically disabled by barriers. |
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If you are a person disabled by barriers, the regulation states that you may request a large employer’s accessible employment policy information in an alternate format. |
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Remember: Although small employers in the province are not required to write down their accessible employment policies, those with at least one employee in Manitoba are still required to follow the regulation’s requirements. |
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To learn more about the Accessible Employment Standard Regulation, please visit AccessibilityMB.ca. |
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If you have questions or concerns regarding compliance under the Accessible Employment Standard Regulation, please call 204-792-0263 or email accessibilitycompliance@gov.mb.ca. |
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Experiencing and learning about history should be available to everyone. That is a guiding belief at the Manitoba Museum, which will now offer a new way for visitors with visual impairments to experience its exhibits. |
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On Sunday February 1, the Manitoba Deaf Community hosted the Language Deprivation Awareness Town Hall at 285 Pembina Hwy. The town hall focused on language deprivation — which occurs when no first-language foundation is built due to a lack of language development during the period between birth and five years old. |
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