Northumberland Accessibility Advisory Committee recognizes National AccessAbility Week

Cobourg, ON – May 26, 2025 – National AccessAbility week (NAAW), observed from May 25 to May 31, is a time to celebrate the contributions of Canadians with disabilities and to promote accessibility and inclusion across communities and the workplace.

This year, the Northumberland Accessibility Advisory Committee (NAAC) has developed the theme “Challenge Your Perspective: Rethinking Accessibility.” The theme encourages everyone to reflect on how disability is perceived and to consider the impact of both visible and invisible barriers. It is a call to examine assumptions, promote understanding, and support the full participation of people with disabilities.

The NAAC provides advice, recommendations, and support to County Council and departments on accessibility planning and policy. Its members include County residents with disabilities and representatives from community organizations dedicated to removing barriers.

To mark NAAW, the committee is launching a social media campaign on the County’s Facebook, Instagram, and X platforms. In alignment with this year’s theme, the campaign will encourage people to consider small steps we all can make to increase the equity, inclusivity and accessibility of our community in tangible and practicable ways that can have a significant impact on the experience of someone with a disability.

Challenging your perspective can start with small but meaningful changes:

• Use accessible fonts: Choose clear, easy to read fonts like Arial and ensure the font is large enough to read – a minimum of 12pt font size is recommended for print materials.
• Make physical spaces more inclusive: Ensure walkways are clear, doorways are wide enough for mobility devices, and signage includes both visual and tactical elements.
• Consider accessibility in public spaces: Think about seating, lighting, and sound levels. Are there ramps, elevators, or accessible washrooms?
• Improve digital accessibility: Digital content like websites and social media can include features that make it easier for people with disabilities to use. Some people use assistive technology to help them see or communicate. To make digital content more accessible, we can do things like add text descriptions for images, include captions on videos, and use proper heading styles to help with navigation.

By taking these steps, each of us can help build a more accessible and inclusive community – not just during NAAW, but every day of the year. To learn more about Northumberland County’s commitment to accessibility and the Northumberland County Accessibility Advisory Committee, visit Northumberland.ca/Accessibility.