City celebrates National AccessAbility Week

Posted on Monday May 05, 2025

The City of Cambridge invites the community to celebrate National AccessAbility Week (NAAW) with a kick-off event on Saturday, May 24, highlighting this year’s theme, “Breaking Barriers, Building Community.” Running from May 25 to May 31, NAAW recognizes the contributions of Canadians with disabilities and promotes efforts to create inclusive, welcoming spaces where everyone can thrive.

“Accessibility is about removing barriers and creating opportunities for everyone to be able to participate fully in our community,” said Mayor Jan Liggett. “National AccessAbility Week is a time to celebrate the progress we’ve made and to reflect on the work that still needs to be done. Together, we can build a Cambridge that is truly inclusive for all.”

NAAW also presents an opportunity to recognize the invaluable work and numerous contributions of the Cambridge Accessibility Advisory Committee (CAAC). The committee is made up of passionate, professional, and insightful individuals, many of whom have lived experience, who provide expertise and advice to the City and Council with a focus on enhancing the accessibility of programs, services, and facilities.

Since its launch in 2017, NAAW has been observed annually starting the last Sunday in May. This year marks 35 years of raising awareness around disability inclusion, and provides a time for reflection on the challenges and ongoing efforts toward creating inclusive communities.

The City encourages the community to celebrate NAAW 2025 at a free event on May 24 hosted by the Cambridge Accessibility Advisory Committee. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet with local organizations and learn more about the various programs and services they provide.

Date: Saturday, May 24, 2025

Location: Cambridge City Hall, 50 Dickson Street

Time: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

One of the goals of the City’s Strategic Plan -  Cambridge Connected includes a focus on creating a community where everyone feels a sense of belonging and receives fair treatment. It also strives to provide accessible, diverse, and inclusive services, programs, and infrastructure that cater to people of all ages and abilities.

Quick facts

  • Prevalence of Disabilities in Canada: As of 2022, over 8 million Canadians aged 15 and older, representing 27% of this age group, have one or more disabilities. This marks an increase from 22% in 2017, attributed to factors such as an aging population and a rise in mental health-related disabilities among younger and working-age adults.
  • Disability Rates by Age Group: In 2022, disability rates varied across age groups:
    Youth (15-24 years): 20% reported a disability, up from 13% in 2017.
    Working-age adults (25-64 years): 24% had disabilities, an increase from 20% in 2017.
  • The City of Cambridge upholds the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). We are dedicated to ensuring our processes are as accessible as possible and providing necessary accommodations for all individuals. The 2023 AODA Compliance Report shows the many ways the City is working hard to eliminate barriers experienced by people with disabilities.
  • The City of Cambridge is committed to providing accessible facilities, programs, and services. The Facility Accessibility Design Standards (FADS) support this commitment, offering a detailed approach to designing barrier-free facilities. FADS aims for an inclusive, user-friendly built environment through thoughtful design and material selection, and it reconciles legislative changes concerning accessibility under the Ontario Building Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).

 For more information on NAAW 2025, please visit: www.cambridge.ca/accessibility