Calgary's Commitment to Accessibility Continues Beyond National Accessibility Week

I was born with cerebral palsy, and growing up was never easy. I faced challenges socially, physically, and mentally. For much of my life, it felt like I was trying to fit into a box that was never built for me. Attending Calgary's National Accessibility Week celebration at City Hall reminded me that accessibility isn't about fitting into someone else's world. It's about creating a world where everyone belongs.

More than 250,000 Calgarians live with a disability, and that number grows significantly when you consider the caregivers, family members, and healthcare professionals who provide support every day.

As part of National Accessibility Week, Calgary City Council stood in solidarity with the disability community by raising the Disability Pride Flag outside City Hall for the second consecutive year.

Disability advocate Dan Pearson emphasized that the strength of the disability community comes from the community itself.

"The disability community often has a common phrase: 'Nothing for us without us,'" Pearson said.

The phrase serves as a reminder that decisions about accessibility should be made with the direct involvement of the people who live those experiences every day.

In a meaningful reversal of roles, Pearson, who received the Mayor's White Hat Award earlier this year, presented Mayor Jeromy Farkas with the Accessibility Ally Award. The honour included an artwork by Mary Stevens, symbolizing Calgary as a gathering place for everyone. While accepting the award, Mayor Farkas acknowledged the recognition but emphasized that there is still more work to be done to make Calgary fully accessible.

Following the mayor's proclamation, the Disability Pride Flag was raised at City Hall, officially marking the beginning of National Accessibility Week.

For nearly eight million Canadians living with disabilities, National Accessibility Week is about far more than removing barriers. It is about building communities where everyone can participate equally, feel included, and be valued for who they are.