National AccessAbility Week 2025

May 25-31, 2025

National AccessAbility Week: Celebrating Inclusion and Breaking Barriers

National AccessAbility Week (NAAW), held annually beginning the last Sunday in May, is a time to spotlight the importance of accessibility and inclusion across Canada. It’s a week to recognize the achievements and contributions of people with disabilities, while also acknowledging the ongoing work needed to remove barriers in our communities, workplaces, and public spaces.

For blind Canadians, and for all people with disabilities, meaningful access to employment, services, and opportunities is essential—not only for personal independence and fulfillment but for the health and prosperity of society as a whole. When we build a Canada that is accessible to everyone, businesses thrive, customer satisfaction grows, and workplaces become stronger and more diverse.

At the Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians, we are proud to be part of this movement—led by people with lived experience—working every day to advance accessibility and equal participation for blind, deafblind, and partially sighted Canadians. Join us as we mark this special week with stories from our community, mythbusting on our social media channels, and holding special Trivia & Ask Me Anything event on May 29th.

Double Your Impact This National AccessAbility Week!

Join us in breaking barriers for blind Canadians. We are holding a special fundraising week. 💥 Your gift can go twice as far: Thanks to the John Rae Fund, every dollar you donate this week will be matched—up to $2,000!

DONATE NOW!

Together, we can challenge misconceptions and create real change.

Trivia & Ask Me Anything Event - May 29

In celebration of National AccessAbility Week coming up at the end of May, AEBC is holding a virtual Trivia & Ask Me Anything event designed to challenge assumptions and deepen understanding of the experiences of individuals who are blind, Deafblind, or partially sighted. We are reaching out to educators, policymakers, news media, and others across Canada who might benefit from having a unique opportunity to ask questions, learn about accessibility, and rethink what inclusion really means.

WHEN: May 29 at 4:00 pm Pacific; 7:00 pm Eastern

If you missed the event, check out the replay here: https://youtu.be/sFsLaIg_E5k

Stories from Our Community of Members

• To my sighted friends, family and colleagues, here's what I ask of you

• Can Blind People Use Social Media? How Accessibility Features Make Social Media Inclusive

• What's everyone laughabout about?

• Blindness and Employment: Busting the Myth that Blind People Can’t Work in Most Jobs

• What I hear with my little ear

• Cooking Blind--Not As Dangerous as You Think It Is!

Myths About Blindness

For National AccessAbility Week, we've been posting myth-busting tidbits on our social media channels. Check them out below!

❌ Myth: All blind people see complete darkness.

✅ Fact: Blindness exists on a spectrum anywhere from seeing nothing to being able to read regular print when held close to their face or travelling safely and independently without using a cane or other low vision aids.

❌ Myth: Blind people can’t live independently.

✅ Fact: With skills training and tools—like canes, guide dogs, and accessible tech—blind people live independently, work, travel, and raise families.

❌ Myth: Blindness sharpens other senses to a "superpower" level.

✅ Fact: While blind people may develop strong skills in hearing or touch through practice and not being distracted by sight, their senses aren't inherently heightened—they're just used more effectively!#NAAW2025 #AccessibleCanada #AEBC

❌ Myth: All blind people read Braille.

✅ Fact: Only 10-15% of legally blind people are totally blind.  Braille is literacy. Most blind children who cannot access print comfortably learn braille at school. They, along with partially sighted and individuals who become blind later in life, also rely on audio, screen readers, and other tech for reading and writing.

❌ Myth: Blind people don't care about appearance or style.

✅ Fact: Blind people have their own tastes and express themselves through fashion, hair, makeup, and more—just like anyone else!

❌ Myth: Blind people can’t use smartphones or computers.

✅ Fact: Thanks to screen readers, voice commands, and accessibility features, blind people regularly use smartphones, computers, and other digital devices.

❌ Myth: Blind children can't attend regular schools.

✅ Fact: Unless there are other disabilities involved which may mean the student requires more supports than mainstream education can provide, blind students succeed in regular education settings alongside their peers with the help of trained teachers of the visually impaired, accessible materials/technology and accommodations. 

❌ Myth: You should grab a blind person’s arm to help them cross the street.

✅ Fact: Always ask first! Being randomly grabbed by a stranger is disconcerting for anyone. Respectful assistance means only offering your arm if requested once the blind person has explained if and how they want to be helped.

❌ Myth: All blind people use a guide dog.

✅ Fact: Not all blind people like dogs, choose, or need a guide dog. Many prefer a white cane or other mobility tools—it's a personal choice based on lifestyle and comfort.