National AccessAbility Week takes place every year starting on the last Sunday of May. It is a time to celebrate the contributions of people with disabilities in Canada and to promote efforts to increase accessibility and inclusion in our communities and workplaces across Canada.
Accessibility is a human right. Everyone should be able to participate in our society, barrier-free.
As trade unionists, we know that our strength depends on the active participation of our members. We must ensure that our union is accessible for all members, while centering the needs of persons with disabilities.
CUPE recognizes that accessibility requires a proactive approach. We are committed to the principle of accessibility, and we work hard to identify, remove and prevent barriers to inclusion. This means making sure the needs of members with disabilities – whether visible or invisible, physical or cognitive, permanent, temporary or episodic – are front and centre.
To mark this year’s National AccessAbility Week, CUPE would like to highlight the accessibility tool for locals. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed how we interact and conduct meetings. Please use our Virtual Meeting Accessibility Checklist to help your local take an accessibility-first approach to virtual meetings and continue to create online spaces that are even more inclusive and accessible.