Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility Services provides leadership, direction, and support to the City in the areas of equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility.

The City of Cambridge is committed to delivering accessible, inclusive, and age-friendly programs, services and facilities as outlined in the Cambridge Connected Strategic Plan.  As a provider of public services, we have a responsibility to ensure all people are welcome and included in all that we do.

If you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions, contact Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility Services.

The City's Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Services team supports:

 For information about arranging supports or accommodations to participate in City programs, please visit Support and Accommodations.



Initiatives

The City of Cambridge supports a number of initiatives to promote and advance equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. Some examples can be found below. 

 

Cambridge Orange Shirt Day - September 30th 

September 30th is Orange Shirt Day (National Day for Truth and Reconciliation). 

 

 

Emancipation Day Celebration - Aug 1st, 2023

August 1st has been proclaimed as Emancipation Day, marking the day slavery was abolished. Celebrating this day acknowledges that oppression and captivity have caused intergenerational trauma for many African Canadians. Through this celebration, let us embark on this learning journey together to help eliminate prejudice, discrimination and longstanding disparity.

On August 1st, 2023 from 3-7pm, Rhythm and Blues Cambridge founders in collaboration with the City of Cambridge invite everyone in the community to the Inaugural Emancipation Day Celebration. 

 

 

 

Free Menstrual Products

The City of Cambridge offers free menstrual products throughout their facilities.

In 2021, city council approved a pilot project to introduce free menstrual products across our facilities. When visiting a facility, look for the following symbol to locate the washrooms with free menstrual products.

Image of liquid drop above two horizontal lines and text "We've got you. Period."

 

The following City facilities will have free period products available to the public:

  • Allan Reuter Centre
  • Cambridge City Hall
  • David Durward Centre and Cambridge Centre for the Arts
  • Dickson Centre
  • Duncan McIntosh Community Centre and Arena
  • Ed Newland Pool
  • Galt Arena Gardens
  • George Hancock Pool
  • Hespeler Memorial Arena
  • John Dolson Centre
  • Karl Homuth Arena
  • Market Building
  • Preston Memorial Auditorium
  • W.G. Johnson pool
  • William E. Pautler 50+ Rec Centre/Langs Community Health Centre

 

Cambridge Food Bank

The food bank offers free menstrual products at 54 Ainslie St South location. For contact and more info, visit Cambridge Food Bank.

 

Learn More

 

The following infographic will be displayed across City of Cambridge facilities to bring awareness to menstrual equity.

Infographic with data on menstrual equity

 

 

Additional Resources

For more about menstrual equity, please access the resources below:

Sensitive Santa 

This event is a special time to visit with Santa reserved for children with social, emotional or behavioral needs. This sensory friendly environment provides lower lighting and a quieter surrounding. The City of Cambridge in partnership with Cambridge Centre provides four event dates leading up to Christmas. To keep it sensory friendly and organized, registration is required.

For more information visit our accessibility page. 

Dynamic Symbol of Access 

The Dynamic Symbol of Access is a new symbol to indicate accessible features and spaces in the built environment. It shows movement; an action that emphasizes differing abilities and reframes the way society views and interacts with people with disabilities. The symbol is dynamic, has a person first focus and is a catalyst for conversation, learning, and advocacy for issues surrounding accessibility.

 

The City will use the International Symbol of Access where legislated, while adopting the Dynamic Symbol of Access for all other indications of accessibility. The Dynamic Symbol of Access was adopted by the City of Cambridge in 2019. 

dynamic symbol of access

Treat Accessibly 

The Treat Accessibly movement aims to make a small change by encouraging communities to celebrate Halloween in an accessible way that's inclusive of children and youth who live with accessibility issues. The FREE Accessible Trick-or-Treating sign is a symbol promoting Accessible and Inclusive change, and one that tells families in your neighbourhood that if their child has a disability, they are welcome to experience Halloween without barriers at your home.

 

For more information visit our accessibility page.

Dynamic symbol of access with cape on the person image

Partnerships

The City of Cambridge partners on a variety of community and external organization led initiatives. If you are organizing an initiative that aims to promote and advance equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility, email diversity@cambridge.ca.

  • Rhythm and Blues Cambridge's Black History Month- During the month of February, Rhythm and Blues Cambridge organizes a variety of events and activities to honour and celebrate Black History Month.