Luna Bengio is a powerful persuader when it comes to accessibility. Her depth of professional and lived experiences guide leaders at SSC and across the federal public service to understand the business advantages of accessibility. She says once people see how accessibility benefits everyone, they are more eager to make accessibility part of their daily processes. As a AAACT Senior Advisor, she is also involved in complex accommodations, helping employees across the public service get the workplace tools they need.
Her 30-year career in the public service has spanned training and policy development in various departments. She retired in 2021 as the Principal Advisor to the Deputy Minister of Public Service Accessibility in the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat. She was involved in extensive consultations with policymakers, public servants at all levels, and external partners in Canada and abroad. Luna laid some of the groundwork for GC organizations to meet their obligations under the Accessible Canada Act. Luna also helped develop and implement the GC Workplace Accessibility Passport. She has recently returned to the public service to continue to advance accessibility.
You have had a full and varied career in the public service. What motivated you to return as a consultant and work specifically in accessibility?
Throughout my career, I made a very conscious decision. I did not want to be the person with a disability always working on disability issues. I wanted to prove that I could do something else. That was important for me. After I retired, I wanted to give something back. I continue to see so many employees with disabilities struggle to get what they need to have a level playing field in the federal public service.
You know firsthand what it takes to level the playing field. Can you share some of your experiences?
I was born with a degenerative condition and have faced accessibility barriers throughout my life. I was always legally blind. For work, I used magnification to read documents and use the computer, until about 25 years ago. That's when I started using a screen reader. That's my main accommodation. If I have my screen reader and accessible documents, presentations, and applications, then I'm good.
It is important to recognize that people can function differently and still function very well. I have encountered barriers in my interactions with a world that is not made for a diverse population. That needs to change.
If you could use this platform, the AAACT Now for Accessibility newsletter, to speak to senior leaders at SSC and across the public service, what would you tell them?
Accessibility can’t be improvised; it must be done deliberately and requires expertise. If we want a public service that is truly diverse, then people with disabilities need to be hired, promoted, and retained.
Accessibility is necessary for all employees across the GC to have a positive experience. We have a way to go with the GC in terms of digital accessibility. We create documents that aren’t accessible and host meetings that people can’t access because of physical or technological barriers.
We need adjustments in our workplaces in order for employees to thrive and be productive. That's the role of the AAACT team. We provide the tools and techniques so employees across the public service can be as productive as possible, as quickly as possible.
To learn how AAACT can help you and your team, drop us an email at aaact-aatia@ssc-spc.gc.ca.
