National AccessAbility Week takes place every year starting on the last Sunday in May. It is a time to celebrate the contributions of persons with disabilities in Canada and to promote efforts to increase accessibility and inclusion in our communities and workplaces.
Accessibility is a human right and a critical part of disability justice. Everyone should be able to participate in our society, barrier-free.
As trade unionists, we know that our strength depends on the active participation of our members. We must ensure that our union is accessible for all members, while centering the needs of persons with disabilities.
CUPE recognizes that accessibility requires a proactive approach. We are committed to the principle of accessibility, and we work hard to identify, remove and prevent barriers to inclusion. This means making sure the needs of members with disabilities – whether visible or invisible, physical or cognitive, permanent, temporary or episodic – are front and centre.
Take action:
- Bargain for measures that support disability rights in your collective agreement, including employment equity, duty to accommodate, short and long-term disability coverage and language on mental health, HIV/AIDS and episodic disabilities.
- Use the Canadian Labour Congress guide, “Doing Things Differently: A Disability Rights At Work Handbook.”