Durham Region Marks May 25–31 as National AccessAbility Week

Durham Region has designated May 25 to 31 as National AccessAbility Week, according to a statement from John Henry, Regional Chair and Chief Executive Officer for The Regional Municipality of Durham. The AccessAbility Flag will be displayed at Regional Headquarters in Whitby for one week, beginning May 26.

The statement notes that National AccessAbility Week is being marked across Canada starting May 25. According to Henry, the week is intended to recognize people of all abilities and those who work to remove barriers to accessibility. The statement cites ongoing challenges facing people with disabilities in areas such as employment, public spaces, and service delivery.

According to the statement, National AccessAbility Week was established following Rick Hansen’s Man In Motion World Tour, which took place from 1985 to 1987. During that tour, the statement says Hansen wheeled over 40,000 kilometres through 34 countries to bring attention to the experiences of people with disabilities and the importance of accessible communities.

The statement emphasizes identifying and addressing systemic challenges in different sectors, as well as the removal and prevention of barriers to accessibility. Durham Region’s proclamation and the flag display are intended to locally observe the week.