Equity & Accessibility

Quick links:

  1. Contact EDIA
  2. EDIA Strategy
  3. Commemorative Days
  4. Events & Initiatives

Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility (EDIA) Services

EDIA Services provides leadership and support to ensure City programs, services, and facilities are equitable, inclusive, accessible, and welcoming for all.

The City of Cambridge is committed to creating an accessible and age‑friendly community, as outlined in the Cambridge Connected Strategic Plan.

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

Heart Handshake

Accessibility
Permit Certificate Document

Accessibility Applications
Blueprint

Accessibility Design Standards
Message Boxes

Indigenous Reconciliation
Accessibility Accessible Universal

Support & Accommodations

EDIA Strategy

The Stronger Together: Diversity, Accessibility and Inclusion Action Plan (approved July 10, 2018) guides the City's work to strengthen equity, diversity, accessibility, and inclusion across the community.

To learn more or to get involved in community‑led initiatives, contact EDIA Services.

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 edia@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. 

  • Grand River Pride supports creating visibility for the queer community and organizing inclusive, family-friendly events to celebrate life and all forms of love.

  • Immigration Partnership Staff participate and support initiatives through the Settlement and Belong Steering Committee.

  • National AccessAbility Week- NAAW is a time when accessibility and inclusion are promoted across communities and workplaces, and a time to celebrate the contributions of Canadians with disabilities. It is an opportunity to recognize the efforts of Canadians who are actively removing barriers to ensure persons with disabilities have an equal chance to participate in all aspects of Canadian society. The City of Cambridge has been a partner with the Life Made Accessible webinars each year during National AccessAbility Week.  

Days of significance

As part of our commitment to enhancing equity and inclusion, the City recognizes days, weeks, and months of significance that reflect and celebrate the diversity of our community.

To share feedback on the City’s approach to commemorative days, email edia@cambridge.ca

We refer to a variety of trusted resources when identifying commemorative and awareness dates, including:

We acknowledges days of significance through community flag raisings and lightings.

The City has a community calendar where members of the public can submit not-for-profit public events happening in Cambridge.

 

Events & Initiatives

The Region of Waterloo has launched the “We All Belong Here” campaign to promote inclusion, raise awareness, and encourage reporting of hate incidents. This initiative is part of the Community Safety & Wellbeing Plan and responds to rising hate crimes in our region.

The campaign was led by the Combatting Hate Action Team (CHAT). The campaign features powerful messages like “We all belong here” and “Hate is not ok. Name it. Report it.” You’ll see these messages across the community, including on bus shelters, wrapped Grand River Transit bus and in schools, workplaces, and public spaces.

The City of Cambridge is proud to partner and support this campaign by amplifying the messaging and working with community partners to ensure everyone feels safe, respected, and valued. Together, we can create a community where hate has no place.

Visit the We All Belong Here website to learn more about how to identify and report hate, and join us in building a more inclusive Cambridge.

Each February, people across Canada participate in Black History Month events and celebrations that honour the legacy and contributions of Black people in Canada and their communities. Following a motion by the Hon. Jean Augustine, with wide support from members of Canada’s Black communities, Canada officially recognized Black History Month in December 1995.

We proudly recognize National AccessAbility Week (NAAW), taking place each year, the last week of May. This annual event, first launched in 2017 and rooted in a 35-year legacy of promoting disability inclusion, highlights the importance of accessibility in our communities and workplaces.

NAAW is a time to celebrate the contributions of Canadians with disabilities and to acknowledge those working to remove barriers, ensuring equal opportunities for everyone to participate fully in all aspects of society.

Stay tuned for 2026 event details.

Celebrating Pride each June is a strong tradition in the City of Cambridge. Signature events, including the Pride flag-raising at City Hall, bring our community together to honour 2SLGBTQIA+ communities across the region. These events allow us to reflect on key moments in the fight for 2SLGBTQIA+ rights and to renew our personal and collective commitment to combating homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia wherever they occur.

Throughout the City, we are dedicated to supporting and welcoming all gender identities and expressions within our community We strive to address barriers, both visible and implicit, that may prevent individuals and employees from flourishing in ways that are true to who they are and what they aspire to become.

On June 1, the City of Cambridge marks the start of National Indigenous History Month. It is a time to honour the rich histories, cultures, and contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples.

We also recognize National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21, aligned with the summer solstice, a day of traditional significance for many Indigenous communities.

The City of Cambridge is committed to reconciliation as a continuous, shared journey guided by Indigenous voices, learning, and relationship-building at all levels.

August 1, 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.

Emancipation Day Celebration.

For more information stay tuned or reach out to Rhythm and Blues Cambridge.

Each year, the City of Cambridge recognizes the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as an opportunity to honour residential school Survivors, their families, and communities. This day encourages reflection on the tragic history and lasting impacts of residential schools and reaffirms the ongoing responsibility to advance truth, justice, and meaningful reconciliation with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples.

The City acknowledges this day by raising the Survivor Flag at City Hall and lighting the Cambridge sign orange in recognition of the children who never returned home and all those affected by residential schools.

Public commemoration is a vital part of the reconciliation process.

How you can contribute
Reconciliation involves learning about the past, respecting Indigenous treaties and rights, letting go of negative perceptions, and working towards solidarity. Consider how you can contribute in your everyday life and explore actions that support your personal reconciliation journey.

How to get involved

  • Wear orange on September 30 to honour Orange Shirt Day and show support for the message that Every Child Matters.
  • Participate in community events, learning opportunities, and initiatives led by Indigenous organizations and partners throughout the region.
  • Support Indigenous artists, educators, and organizations by attending events, purchasing orange‑shirt products from verified Indigenous retailers, or making donations.

Learn more and support Indigenous organizations

  • SOAHAC (Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access)
  • K-W Urban Native Wigwam Project
  • National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
  • Healing of the Seven Generations
  • Orange Shirt Day 
  • Turtle Lodge Trading Post Inc. (Indigenous-led orange shirt products)

The Cambridge Newcomer Outreach Program, delivered in partnership with Kinbridge Community Association, provides supports and year‑round events for newcomers.

Funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the program serves newcomer permanent residents, convention refugees, and Ukrainian temporary residents.

Contact our Newcomer Outreach staff for more information or to request interpretation.

The City of Cambridge offers free menstrual products at the following facilities:

  • Allan Reuter Centre
  • Cambridge City Hall
  • Cambridge Food Bank
  • 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
  • Farmers' Market Building
  • Preston Memorial Auditorium
  • W.G. Johnson
  • William E. Pautler
Additional Resources

 

The Treat Accessibly initiative, started by the Padulo family in 2017, aims to make Halloween accessible for all families, including the approximately 400,000 Canadian children with disabilities who may face barriers such as stairs or uneven pathways.

The City of Cambridge, in partnership with RE/MAX Real Estate Centre Inc. Brokerage, supports this movement by providing free Treat Accessibly lawn signs and sharing tips to help households offer safe, inclusive trick‑or‑treating.

Accessible Trick‑or‑Treating Tips

Make Halloween accessible and welcoming by:
  • Placing a Treat Accessibly lawn sign on your front lawn a few days before Halloween to show your home is committed to accessible trick‑or‑treating.
  • Setting up a trick‑or‑treating station in an easily accessible location, such as the end of your driveway or garage (if the slope is manageable).
  • Keeping pathways well‑lit and free of hazards.
  • Avoiding strobe lights or sudden loud noises that may overwhelm some children.
  • Ensuring pets are kept away from the front area to prevent intimidation or safety concerns.

 

Sensitive Santa offers a quiet, welcoming, and sensory‑friendly environment for families who have neurodiverse or accessibility needs. This initiative ensures that children who may experience social, emotional, behavioural, or sensory challenges can enjoy a comfortable visit with Santa.

In partnership with FotoArca Corporation and the City of Cambridge, families can meet Santa in a space with lower lighting and reduced noise to support a calm and relaxed experience.

Each family receives a complimentary digital photograph to commemorate their visit.

Spots are limited each year and registration is required.

To find out more, contact accessibility@cambridge.ca.

Contact Us

Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility Services

50 Dickson Street, 2nd floor,
Cambridge ON N1R 8S1

T. (519) 623-1340 ext. 4309