Resources and Training
Awareness Dates
The Manitoba Accessibility Office recognizes several disability awareness events throughout the year. These events include the participation of communities across Manitoba and are celebrated in-person and online.
MAAW
Manitoba Access
Awareness Week
Date: June 1 to 7, 2025
ResourcesOriginally 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
Resources
Proclamation
Past Events
2024
Session 1: An Overview of Requirements under the Accessible Information and Communication Standard Regulation
Session 2: Getting Started with Accessible Communication and Marketing
Session 3: WCAG Requirements and Working with Web Developers to Create Accessible Websites
Session 4: Why Digital Accessibility Audits are Important and What’s Involved in the Process
2023
DEAM
Disability Employment
Awareness Month
Date: October, 2025
ResourceThe 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
Past Events
2024
IDAM
Indigenous Disability
Awareness Month
Webinar Date: November 7, 2024
Resource Webinar DetailsThe 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
Indigenous Disability Awareness Month 2024 Webinar
Indigenous Disability Awareness Month is recognized annually each November by the Manitoba government. It 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.
The Manitoba Accessibility Office is proud to present our Indigenous Disability Awareness Month webinar, A Broken Legacy, my Journey as an Indigenous Hard of Hearing Woman…
During this webinar you will hear from our keynote speaker, Shawna Joynt, a First Nations woman who is hard of hearing from the TR’ONDEK HWECHIN HAN NATION tribe in Dawson City, Yukon. Through Shawna’s story you will learn about her personal journey, her passion for removing barriers for the Deaf and hard of hearing and Indigenous communities. She will also share insight into her advocacy work.
FREE WEBINAR: A Broken Legacy, my Journey as an Indigenous Hard of Hearing Woman…
Webinar Details:
- Date: November 7
- Time: 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
- Speakers: Shawna Joynt
- Where: Virtual via Zoom
This webinar will have accessibility measures such as American Sign Language interpretation (ASL) and live closed captioning.
The webinar recording will be made available to those unable to participate in real-time on AccessibilityMB.ca.
Resources
Proclamation
IDPD
International Day of Persons
with Disabilities
Webinar Date: December 3, 2024
Resource Webinar DetailsInternational Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) is a celebration held annually on December 3. Proclaimed in 1992, by The United Nations General Assembly, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities promotes an understanding of disability issues and calls for supporting the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities.
Each year, Manitoba joins people across the world in promoting the rights and well-being of people with disabilities in every aspect of life, including political, social, economic and cultural.
Participate this year
The world's population is ever increasing and more than one billion people or approximately 15% of the world's population live with some form of disability, with 80% living in developing countries.
Evidence and experience shows that when barriers are eliminated, and people with disabilities are empowered to take part, the whole community benefits. When we prioritize accessibility and inclusion, the result is progress for everyone.
Celebrate International Day of Persons with Disabilities and show your support for the elimination of barriers.
- follow along on social media by using the #AccessibleMB or #IDPD
- learn more about The United Nations contributions and efforts, by visiting The United Nations website
- learn more about Canada's contributions, by visiting Canada.ca
- learn more about the Accessibility for Manitobans Act
- View and read the Manitoba government's official IDPD proclamation
International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2024 Webinar
International Day of Persons with Disabilities is recognized annually by the Manitoba government. In celebration, the Manitoba Accessibility Office will be hosting its International Day of Persons with Disabilities webinar on December 3. This exciting presentation features two speakers with a passion for improving accessibility both in recreational activities and inclusive sports. Join the Manitoba Accessibility Office to learn how Manitoba Parks are becoming more accessible for all and hear from a local para-athlete on his journey to over come systematic barriers and challenges in sport.
FREE WEBINAR: Building Parks for Everyone and Inclusive Recreation and Sport in Manitoba
Webinar Details:
- Date: December 3
- Time: 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
- Speakers:
- Rebecca Lauhn-Jensen, Manitoba Parks: Accessibility in Manitoba Provincial Parks
- Colin Matheson – Inclusiveness in Sport
- Where: Virtual via Zoom
This webinar will have accessibility measures such as American Sign Language interpretation (ASL) and live closed captioning.
The webinar recording will be made available to those unable to participate in real-time on AccessibilityMB.ca.