1. National Office Update | | Publishing Schedule Update Starting in Sept 2025, the CAN Newsletter is shifting to a triannual publication in September, January and May. We appreciate your continued readership and look forward to delivering valuable and timely updates about the Canadian accessibility landscape, as well as highlighting upcoming events and professional development opportunities offered by CAN Collaborators. Callout for submissions will be in August, November and April each year. You are welcome to visit our CAN Newsletter Submission Form at any time to submit your content. Submit your information to the CAN Newsletter → | CAN Has Grown Looking back over the past five years, CAN has grown significantly in terms of both the number of organizations and individuals joining as members, and attendance at our events. This is a significant achievement. We have a lot to be proud of. See the graphs below. Here’s to another five years of CAN excellence! .png/b278a89a-6db0-b51c-f95c-415f02604119(1)__600x356.png)
| New Resources Available on the CAN Website The CAN National office is delighted to share with you new resources on our website. You can download English and French versions of both resources. The Employment Lifecycle Accessibility Framework This framework is an easy-to-use tool for individuals and employers interested in inclusive, accessible employment. It supports assessing organizational practices to promote discussions around actions to improve accessible employment. The Engaging Persons with Disabilities Guide This resource outlines key considerations for planning inclusive engagements and events. It also includes practical tools and detailed instructions to help you organize and carry them out effectively. Use this guide as a reference, tailoring its use to the specific scope and requirements of your engagement or event. Go to the Resources page now → | Welcome new CAN Community of Practice Co-Leads! Margaret Hill is our new co-lead of the Policy Community of Practice. Margaret recently retired from a notable public service career, having served as the Executive Director of Employment and Social Development Canada’s Accessibility Office. Most recently, she held the position of Executive Director and Special Advisor on Accessibility in the Office of the Deputy Minister Champion for Federal Employees with Disabilities, and she was also a Co-Chair of the Interdepartmental Accessibility Community of Practice. 
Fineen Davis is our new co-lead of the Employment Community of Practice. Fineen is an Accessibility Consultant in the Risk Advisory Services practice at BDO Canada, bringing both professional expertise and lived experience with disability to her work. Prior to joining BDO, Fineen was actively involved in Indigenous disability rights advocacy and employment service delivery at the national level, further strengthening her expertise in policy, inclusion, and accessibility best practices. 
Explore Current Opportunities → | Advertise in the CAN Newsletter You can now buy advertising space in the CAN Newsletter. Connect with a dedicated audience of 1,400+ 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. Visit the CAN website at Advertise With Us for more information. Advertise with CAN → | 
Amy Lonsberry, MPA (she/her/hers) Amy is a Policy, Privacy and Project Officer with The Sinneave Family Foundation (Sinneave). Sinneave is an operating foundation that works with individuals, communities, and organizations across Canada to reduce barriers and enhance opportunities in education, employment, and housing for Autistic people. It is Sinneave’s focus on employment that brought Amy to the Canadian Accessibility Network’s Employment Community of Practice (CoP). Amy recently enjoyed the privilege of co-leading the Employment Lifecycle Accessibility Framework project with Liz Laidlaw (she/her/hers), Director, Accessibility Office, WSIB Ontario. | | Whimble is launching in Toronto this fall! As the only platform offering flexible, on-demand support for people with disabilities, Whimble connects individuals with experienced attendants for support with everyday activities. Already serving a growing community in Ottawa, Whimble is now expanding to Toronto. Whether you're looking for support or want to provide it, Whimble makes it easier to access and deliver care with dignity, flexibility, and choice. Join the Toronto waitlist → | Nova Scotia’s Built Environment Accessibility Standard Released Nova Scotia’s Built Environment Accessibility Standard was approved in March 2025, making it the province’s first accessibility standard under the Accessibility Act. The standard introduces design requirements for new and redeveloped infrastructure, as well as accessibility planning requirements. It addresses areas outside the Nova Scotia Building Code, such as outdoor and recreational spaces. Information about the standard is available on the Accessibility Directorate’s website, including an overview of the standard, a plain language description of the regulations, and videos. These materials are available in English, French, and ASL. Go to the standard → | NS Accessibility Advisory Board’s Recommendations for Accessibility Standard in Goods and Services The Nova Scotia Accessibility Advisory Board released their Recommendations for an Accessibility Standard in Goods and Services in June 2025. The recommendations were developed by the Goods and Services Standard Development Committee, in consultation with other people with disabilities and impacted sectors. The Government of Nova Scotia is reviewing the recommendations and drafting an accessibility standard to address barriers in service delivery. When drafted, the proposed Accessibility Standard in Goods and Services will be shared publicly for comment. Go to the Recommendations → | Learn Career-Related AI in One Day AI and ATS have changed the job search. Our career development practices must also evolve to keep pace. The Canadian Association for Supported Employment (CASE) offers a one-day certificate program, Strengths-Based Career Development in the Age of AI. Explore how to coach job seekers to communicate their strengths in a way that resonates with both people and algorithms. CASE Members receive a discount. Visit the CASE Website for more details → | 4. Community of Practice Highlight | | Share Your Accessibility Research with Us 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. 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. This template is to be used for content sharing within the CAN network and beyond, through regular blog posts, shared in the CAN newsletter and on the CAN website with your permission. Researchers with a disability will be prioritized. CAN Members and non-CAN members are welcome to submit. Fill out the Research Knowledge-Sharing Form → | 2025-26 PEAC Accessibility Training The 2025–26 Professional Education for Accessibility Competence (PEAC) course calendar is now live—and registration is open! PEAC is designed for professionals who want to advance accessibility within their organizations and lead meaningful change. Our courses provide practical, skills-based training to help you integrate accessibility into policies, planning, and everyday practices. Whether you’re new to accessibility or deepening your expertise, PEAC equips HR professionals, managers, and organizational leaders with the tools to move beyond compliance and create workplaces where everyone can thrive. This fall, upcoming sessions include: Join a growing community of changemakers committed to building inclusive workplaces. Explore the new schedule and secure your spot today (and ask us about our 2 registrations for the price of 1 special for these courses! Register Now → | 2025-26 CAN Connect Forums What Can Disability History Teach Us Today? Date: Tuesday October 7, 2025
Time: 12noon - 1:30pm EST
Delivery: Virtual via Zoom Register Now → Join us as we reflect on the history of disability in Canada. What lessons from the past still matter today? Explore the key events, policies, advocacy movements, and lived experiences that have shaped the lives of disabled people in Canadian society. This CAN Connect Forum features panelists Max L. Brault and Kira Smith and moderator Tony Labillois. Let’s come together to discuss what actions are needed to advance disability rights and ensure that progress is protected for the future. | Registrations for the following CAN Connect Forums are coming soon. Check the CAN Events site for updates. Indigenous-led Accessibility Perspectives Date: Tuesday, November 4th, 2025
Time: 12 to 1:30 p.m. EST
Delivery: Virtual via Zoom Case Studies in Accessible Sport - From Participation to Leadership Date: Tuesday, January 27, 2026
Time: 12 to 1:30 p.m. EST
Delivery: Virtual via Zoom Intersectionality and Accessibility Date: Tuesday March 3rd, 2026
Time: 12 to 1:30 p.m. EST
Delivery: Virtual via Zoom Accessibility as a Leadership Competence Date: Tuesday, May 26th, 2026
Time: 12 to 1:30pm p.m. EST
Delivery: Virtual via Zoom Go to CAN's Event Page → | Elevating Black and Brown Voices in Disability Advocacy an event with The Divas With Disabilities Project. You're invited to be part of something powerful. Elevating Black and Brown Voices in Disability Advocacy is more than an event—it’s a celebration of resilience, leadership, and community.Hosted by Justina Plowden, founder of We Matter Disability Org, this gathering will spotlight voices that are often overlooked but deeply impactful. Date: September 18TH 2025
Time: 6:30 PM EST
Location: ZOOM The Divas w Disabilities project → Register for this Zoom Event → 
| 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. | | | | |
