Put yourself in someone else’s shoes.

Have you ever made a dinner reservation and had to ask if the table would be accessible by wheelchair? How about if the menu is available in Braille? Have you ever been excited to watch a new show on tv, only to find there is no closed captioning? Have you ever tried to order something online, but were unable due to a lack of website accessibility? Now, think about your workplace. Have you made the decision to not disclose your “invisible” disability in fear of discrimination and stigma? Is there an absence of accessibility leadership leaving you unsure of where to go to discuss your accommodation needs?

Maybe you have taken your privilege for granted as an able-bodied, neurotypical person without any disabilities. Maybe accessibility and equity are topics that you haven’t spent much time thinking about. However, a large proportion of Canadians don’t have the option to simply ignore these issues. 27% of Canadians aged 15 years and older (8.0 million people) have one or more disabilities that have limited them in their daily activities (2022 Canadian Survey on Disability), making these issues a reality and how they are forced to navigate this world.

To create a truly accessible society where everyone can thrive requires action from every one of us. Simply doing nothing and maintaining the status quo will perpetuate the harm that neurodiverse and persons with disability experience in their communities, at their places of employment, and throughout all aspects of their lives. We must all take an active role in advocating and prioritizing equitable access and opportunities. We all can make the world a more accessible and equitable place, and the time to start is now.