National Accessibility Week highlights the importance of disability justice in the workplace
Toronto – June 4, 2026 – As National Accessibility Week concludes on June 6, UFCW Canada is reflecting on the importance of building workplaces that are accessible, inclusive, and equitable for all workers.
Held annually from May 31 to June 6, National Accessibility Week celebrates the contributions of persons with disabilities and promotes efforts to create a barrier-free Canada. The 2026 theme, “Building a Strong and Accessible Canada,” highlights the collective responsibility to remove barriers and advance accessibility in every aspect of society, including the workplace.
UFCW Canada is committed to advocating for strong accessibility measures that support the full participation of workers with disabilities and create safer, more inclusive workplaces for everyone.
Strong workplace accessibility measures benefit all workers because they prioritize inclusive design and proactive approaches to health and safety. Accessibility extends beyond the built environment and includes every aspect of a worker’s experience on the job. Creating truly inclusive workplaces means addressing barriers before they arise and ensuring that accessibility is embedded into workplace policies, practices, and collective agreements, not limited to accommodation measures secured on a case-by-case basis.
Canada has committed to becoming fully accessible by 2040 through the Accessible Canada Act, which focuses on identifying, removing, and preventing barriers in seven key areas of society, including employment.
Through our 2022 Disability Justice Survey and our 2025 Mental Health Survey, UFCW Canada members from across the country shared their concerns, experiences, and priorities regarding disability justice and workplace accessibility. The findings from these surveys continue to inform our national efforts to address barriers such as stigma, ableism, and discriminatory attitudes through education, training, awareness initiatives, and advocacy.
Creating accessible workplaces is not limited to a single week of recognition. It is an ongoing responsibility. UFCW Canada will continue to advocate for policies, protections, and workplace practices that support workers with disabilities and help ensure that every worker can participate fully and equitably in the workplace.
Learn more about UFCW Canada’s advocacy on disability rights in the workplace here.
