1. National Office Update | | Giving Tuesday Update: Thank You for Your Support We are pleased to share the results of our Giving Tuesday campaign — and they exceeded all expectations. Thanks to the generosity of CAN members, collaborators, and supporters, we raised $8,750, surpassing our $5,000 goal to sustain essential accessibility supports across the Network. These funds will directly support the accessibility services that make participation in CAN possible and meaningful, including live captioning for CAN Connect Forums, ASL/LSQ interpretation for meetings and events, and the delivery of bilingual and accessible materials. These supports are foundational to ensuring barrier-free engagement for members with lived experience of disability across all CAN Communities of Practice. We are deeply grateful to everyone who gave, shared the campaign, or helped spread the word. Your support strengthens CAN’s ability to remain inclusive, accessible, and community-driven. If you were unable to give during Giving Tuesday, contributions to the CAN Priority Fund are welcome throughout the year. Looking ahead, our next fundraising focus will support student engagement in CAN’s Communities of Practice, helping to foster the next generation of accessibility leaders. We look forward to sharing more details in the months ahead but if you would like to contribute to support this work now, you can click the button below. Thank you for helping build a stronger, more accessible CAN community. Click here to donate → | Plan Ahead: PEAC Courses Open for February 2026 As many organizations settle into the new year — and begin planning for end-of-fiscal-year professional development — this is a great time to think about how you’re building accessibility capacity across your team. The Professional Education for Accessibility Competence (PEAC) program offers practical, applied learning for professionals who want to strengthen accessibility knowledge and confidently apply it in their roles. PEAC courses are well-suited for individual learners and for organizations looking to upskill multiple team members at once. Upcoming PEAC courses (February 2026): -
PEAC 200 - Understanding Accessibility and Human Rights Legislation | February 3 & 5 -
PEAC 400 - Embedding Accessibility into Strategic Planning | February 10 & 12 -
PEAC 500 - Developing Accessible Workplace Practices | February 24 & 26 Many organizations use this time of year to allocate remaining professional development funds or plan learning ahead of March/April fiscal year-end. PEAC courses can support that planning — particularly for teams working across HR, policy, operations, design, or leadership roles. Group participation is welcome, and organizations registering 10 or more participants are encouraged to connect with the PEAC team to explore options. Professional Education for Accessibility Competence (PEAC) - Accessibility Institute Accessibility education and training for individuals, professionals, supervisors, leaders, and teams. Register today! For questions or group inquiries: peac@carleton.ca Learn more about upcoming PEAC courses → | Registration is now open for our upcoming 2026 CAN Connect Forums in January and March 2026. Case Studies in Accessible Sport- From Participation to Leadership Date: Tuesday January 27, 2026
Time: 12noon - 1:30pm EST
Delivery: Zoom With moderator Julie Hutsebaut and panelists Michael Jacques, Tai Young and Alison Levine. To register → | Intersectionality and Accessibility Date: Tuesday, March 3rd, 2026.
Time: 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. EST
With moderator Bianca Go and panelists Carmel Whittle, Shanice Pereira, Liz Arnason and Terrence Ho.
Delivery: Zoom To register → | Welcome two new Education and Training Community of Practice Co-Leads, joining Estela Dayloan-Pinlac’s team Freda Uwa is a nationally recognized leader in accessibility, mental health, and disability rights, informed by both lived experience and extensive professional expertise. As a senior leader within the Independent Living Canada (IL Canada) network, she brings a strong, unified voice for Canadians with disabilities. IL Canada is a coast-to-coast network of 24 member centres, and under Freda’s leadership, it carries out critical oversight functions, including leading a national research project for Accessibility Standards Canada focused on accessibility in festivals and events. Freda’s leadership is marked by integrity, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to dignity, equity, and inclusion. She holds academic credentials in Nursing Leadership, Community Mental Health, and Management, and her career spans healthcare, policy development, program implementation, and advocacy. Freda facilitated Communities of Practice among disability organization leaders as part of the IDEA Project at Race and Disability Canada. A Human Rights Consultant with the Washington Institute of Diplomacy and a Fellow of the Institute of Leadership UK, Freda is also a newly published author of Jollof Life, reflecting her passion for culture, storytelling, and community. 
Martha Jez is the Owner and CEO of Fair Chance Learning. With a Master’s in Critical Disability Studies from York University, Martha is a recognized leader in inclusive, future‑ready education. She has collaborated with UNESCO, the British Council, Microsoft, and Amazon to deliver skills development programs across Canada, the U.S., Kenya, Algeria, and the U.K. Her work focuses on building digital fluency, AI literacy, and equitable access to emerging technologies through Universal Design for Learning and system‑wide transformation. Martha also serves on the OISE Curriculum Review Committee for Continued Professional Learning, shaping programs that prepare individuals and organizations for a rapidly evolving world. Known for her energy and motto “LET’S DO THIS!”, Martha brings expertise in collaboration and innovation to every conversation about workforce readiness. 
| Advertise in the CAN Newsletter The Canadian Accessibility Network (CAN) is pleased to offer direct advertising space in the CAN Newsletter. Connect with a dedicated audience of 1,500+ accessibility advocates, organizations, and professionals across Canada. Whether you’re promoting accessible products, services or initiatives, advertising in the CAN newsletter is the perfect way to expand your reach and amplify your impact. Learn More About Advertising Opportunities → | 
Ken Yi Lei Lei, CAN Operations Support Ken has provided part-time operations support for the Canadian Accessibility Network as a student for the last several years. He recently completed his all the requirements to complete his degree and while he awaits formal graduation, he will continue his work with us for another few months. Ken is a wiz at all things Excel, reconfiguring and updating our CAN database of collaborating organizations and individuals; he supports our website; does all our video editing, tech assistance during Zoom meetings, and notetaking; and has supported CAN projects such as the Canadian Accessibility Legislature Review for the Policy Community of Practice. We thank him for all that he brings to CAN. Thank you, and congratulations on completing your degree requirements, Ken!! | | 3. Community of Practice Highlight: Research, Design and Innovation | | Knowledge Sharing Initiative The CAN Research, Design and Innovation Community of Practice invites you to share your accessibility research with us by filling out a Knowledge Sharing Submission Form. You don’t have to be a published academic or university educated individual to submit. We welcome research from all lived experiences. For example, it could be a comparative study on assistive technologies; a qualitative study of individuals in the field of disability arts; a journal documenting observations on accessible transportation from various cities. CAN members and non CAN members are welcome to submit. The Purpose: There is a need for more intentional sharing of information about accessibility-related research, design and innovation. We want to better share and learn from one another to ensure people don’t need to reinvent the wheel when it comes to inclusive and accessible-related research. With your permission, we would like to utilize submissions to spark conversation in our Community of Practice meetings and marketing materials such as social media and this newsletter. FIll out the Research Knowledge-Sharing Form → | The Assembly on CBC Gem CBC Gem’s new series, The Assembly, features young autistic and neurodivergent interviewers having open and honest conversations with Canadian celebrities. Stream it now on CBC Gem → | Accessibility Standards Canada releases world’s first standard on accessible and equitable AI Accessibility Standards Canada announced on December 3rd, 2025 the publication of the CAN-ASC-6.2 – Accessible and Equitable Artificial Intelligence Systems standard. This equity-based standard is the first National Standard of Canada focused specifically on accessible artificial intelligence (AI). Its release coincides with International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), highlighting Canada’s commitment to advancing accessibility and inclusion. As AI is quickly becoming a key part of daily life, clear accessibility guidelines can help ensure barriers in AI are recognized and addressed before they impact users. Go to the standard here → | Government of Nova Scotia Accessibility Directorate Publishes New Resources on Understanding Ableism The Nova Scotia Accessibility Directorate has new resources on Understanding Ableism including printable posters, a presentation, and an FAQ Guide. All resources are in English, French and ASL. These resources are meant to support organizations and individuals to learn about ableism and ways to prevent it, including topics such as: • What ableism is and real-life examples. • The impacts of ableism. • How to create more equitable, inclusive and respectful environments to prevent ableism. Go to the resources here → | National Airlines Council of Canada (NACC) Announces Standardized Air Travel Requirements form for passengers with complex health care needs On Dec 3rd, 2025 The National Airlines Council of Canada (NACC) announced that its member airlines - Air Canada, Air Transat, Jazz Aviation LP, and WestJet - have jointly adopted a common air travel requirements form for passengers with complex health needs. This represents an important step forward in NACC member airlines’ longstanding commitment to enhancing accessibility for travelers, and was undertaken in response to a key recommendation from the 2024 federal Air Accessibility Summit. The standardized form brings no new requirements for passengers with complex health needs; rather, it harmonizes a form already in use, but that is currently different amongst NACC member airlines. By enabling one completed form to be used for travel with multiple airlines, this initiative reduces the administrative burden for travellers and healthcare professionals alike, and provides a more consistent travel booking experience when complex health factors are involved. The new form was developed in collaboration with members of the Canadian accessibility community and was a key recommendation from the 2024 Air Accessibility Summit, which was attended by past CAN Program Director Mastoor Al Kaboody and Assistant Director, Julie Caldwell. Go to the media release here → | Humber Polytechnic Panel on Inclusive Employment On December 4, Humber Polytechnic hosted a panel discussion featuring professionals, advocates, employers, and students who are shaping the future of inclusive employment. This session was designed to deepen attendees’ understanding of accessibility, strengthen inclusive practices, and support student success inside and outside the classroom. Participants learned strategies for fostering accessible and inclusive working environments; insight into student barriers; practical tools to support students with disabilities; and employer perspectives on workplace accommodations/culture. Click here to see the webinar slides → | Centre for Equitable Library Access (CELA) A Guide to the Canadian Copyright Act on Searching for Accessible Formats and Producing and Distributing Alternate Formats was created by CELA to provide clarity and best practices on the laws that govern access for people with perceptual disabilities. Written by Victoria Owen (University of Toronto), Alexandra Kohn (McGill University) and Laurie Davidson, this guide will support any organization or individual in producing and distributing works in the alternate formats their users need. To read the guide → | Accessibility Professional Network: Inclusive By Design Conference Date: March 30th and 31st, 2026
In person at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre/Virtual Hosted by the Rick Hansen Foundation, the theme of this Accessibility Professional Network conference is Inclusive By Design. This event invites accessibility professionals and design leaders to explore how intentional, inclusive design transforms the spaces where we live, work and connect.
Featuring a dynamic lineup of Canadian and international speakers, this two-day hybrid conference brings together architects, engineers, designers, planners, policymakers, accessibility consultants, and corporate leaders to explore discuss going beyond compliance to create environments that anticipate diverse needs, foster belonging, and reflect the principles of Universal Design from the ground up. Register Now → | City of Ottawa Accessibility Office to Host Public Consultations to Better Understand OC Transpo Disability Related Barriers The City of Ottawa will be creating the next OC Transpo Accessibility Plan which will launch June 1, 2026. We are seeking your input about disability-related barriers experienced when accessing OC Transpo’s services including conventional bus and rail services, as well as Para Transpo specialized services. Please complete the online survey on Engage Ottawa or participate in a consultation session for the 2026-2029 OC Transpo Accessibility Plan. Public consultations will take place: January 15 from 10 to 11:30am (Virtual)
January 26 from 1 to 2:30pm (City Hall)
January 28 from 6:30 to 8:00pm (Virtual) Complete the online survey → | Recreational Respite Intersections is a guided peer support group developed for teens on the autism spectrum and/or with intellectual disabilities who are navigating grief. This initiative was prepared by Recreational Respite in partnership with the BFO-Toronto and AUTISM CANADA. While financially supported by The Children's Grief Foundation of Canada of Canada, Recreational Respite Inc is solely responsible for all content. To register for the next virtual six-week series in early 2026, click the link below or email groups@recrespite.com. To register for Intersections click here → | Registration is now open for the 12th Annual Canadian Autism Leadership Summit (CALS2026) The annual event by Autism Alliance of Canada brings together Autistic self-advocates, family members, researchers, policymakers, service providers, and community leaders from across Canada to foster collaboration, inform policy, and strengthen the community. Autism Alliance of Canada leverages CALS to catalyze action on shared priorities, contributing towards a more inclusive Canada through the development of autism policy that captures the diverse perspectives of Autistic people in Canada and their loved ones. This year includes a one-day symposium on artificial intelligence (AI) and autism innovation. Get the Early Bird rate until January 10, 2026. To register click here → | CAN is actively recruiting! If you know an organization or an accessibility advocate who might be a good fit for the Network, please connect them with can@carleton.ca. | Copyright © 2026 Canadian Accessibility Network. All rights reserved. | | | | |
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