Innovation’s True Strength: Celebrating All Abilities
Happy International Day of Persons with Disabilities!
December 3 is International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) – a global day to celebrate the unique ways people experience and contribute to our world.
This year’s theme, “Fostering disability-inclusive societies for advancing social progress,” reminds us that building a fair, inclusive, and equitable society benefits everyone.
IDPD is a time to:
- Celebrate the contributions of people with disabilities
- Understand the barriers they face
- Commit to reviewing our progress and continue building accessible communities and workplaces.
Accessibility is not just about ramps or technology – it’s about removing barriers so everyone can participate fully and thrive.
What Does Disability Mean?
The term persons with disabilities includes people with long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments. These conditions, combined with barriers in the environment or attitudes, can limit full participation in society.
Disability is not about what a person can or cannot do – it’s about the mismatch between a person and their surroundings. When we remove barriers, we create fairness and opportunity for everyone.
Celebrating Neurodiversity
IDPD is also a time to celebrate one important part of human diversity – the many ways our brains work.
Neurodiversity means that everyone’s brain works differently, and these differences are valuable. There is no single “right” or “normal” way to think, learn, or experience the world.
This includes:
- Neurotypical people: whose brains process information in ways most common in society.
- Neurodivergent people: whose brains work differently. This includes people with Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, Tourette’s, and other conditions.
It’s important to remember that neurodiversity is a broad spectrum, and every person’s experience is unique. These differences are not deficits – they are part of what makes us human. To learn more, visit this helpful article from the Cleveland Clinic: Neurodivergent.
Why Different Thinking Makes Stronger Teams
Imagine a team solving a complex problem. If everyone thinks the same way, they miss out on new ideas.
Neurodiverse teams bring a wide range of perspectives and skills:
- Some people see patterns and details others miss
- Others connect ideas in creative ways
- Some focus deeply on complex tasks
- Others think visually and see the big picture
No single thinking style is “better.” Together, these differences make teams stronger, more creative, and better at innovating.
Why This Matters on IDPD
If these differences are strengths, why highlight them on IDPD? The answer is simple: the challenge often isn’t the person – it’s the environment.
For example:
- A noisy office can make it hard to focus
- A meeting with only spoken instructions can be difficult for someone who processes information visually
IDPD is a call to remove these barriers. It reminds us that making our world more accessible, whether that means a physical ramp, a quiet workspace, or clear written instructions, is how we create fairness.
An accommodation isn’t a special favor. It’s about creating spaces where everyone can thrive, participate fully and contribute their unique strengths.
Building an Inclusive RRC Polytech
At RRC Polytech, we strive to create a place where all abilities and every way of thinking are valued. By embracing accessibility and neurodiversity, we make our college stronger and more innovative, and more welcoming for everyone.
We’ve made progress with accessible technologies, infrastructure, and accommodations – but our work continues. Today, we reaffirm our commitment to identifying and removing barriers and ensuring that everyone at the College has equitable opportunities to succeed.
This IDPD, let’s learn more, challenge assumptions, and build a community where every person can thrive.
AI Usage Acknowledgement
This post was jointly written by Gemini and Jay Scott, Neurodiversity Working Group Member at RRC Polytech.
Learn, Get Involved, and Stay Engaged
Wednesday, December 3
Immersive Storytelling & Disability Inclusion with Adam Nepon, Hosted by Abigail Adedokun
Location: E155, Manitou a bi Bii daziigae, EDC | 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Join Adam for an immersive storytelling experience exploring identity, belonging, non-linear learning and career journeys, psychological safety, and workplace culture – through humour, honesty, and real-life experiences.
About the Presenter
Adam Nepon is a storyteller, educator, and neurodivergent leader whose lived experience shapes his work in inclusion, accessibility, and culture-building. Born in Winnipeg and identifying as both Ashkenazi Jewish and Red River Métis, Adam grew up navigating the world without knowing he had a disability. The survival strategies he developed along the way—reading environments, adapting quickly, and finding his own learning path—became the foundation of his leadership and teaching style.
Today, Adam serves as Manager of Business Development – Health Transformation at RRC Polytech. He is known for creating psychologically safe spaces where humour, honesty, and immersive storytelling help people explore identity, belonging, and the power of non-linear educational and career journeys. His work invites audiences to view difference as strength and to recognize the stories that shape how we learn, lead, and connect.
A11y Corner: Ask an Instructional Designer
Location: In front of E155, Manitou a bi Bii daziigae | 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Are you looking for advice or consultation on the accessibility of your course materials? Drop in and visit Andrea Ardiles, Instructional Designer. Let’s improve the digital accessibility (A11y) of your course.
Bring your wonderings. We could explore:
- Accessibility Checkers in the tools you use
- The Flexible Online Delivery Model as a solution for accessible navigation
- How the Information and Communication Standard affects teaching and learning
- Or, whatever accessibility topic you wish to address.
No need to bring your computer, you can just bring your LEARN shell name with you.
Plus, learn about training to create accessible courses! Let’s make digital spaces inclusive and engaging!
Film Screening – These Four Walls
Location: GM41 – Black Lecture Theatre, NDC | 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
In honour of International Day of Persons with Disabilities, People First of Manitoba and the Disability and Community Support Program invite members of the college community to a viewing of These Four Walls.
These Four Walls invites you on an emotional journey deep into the heart of the disability movement in Manitoba, Canada. At its core is the remarkable story of David Weremy and his class action lawsuit against the Manitoba Development Centre (MDC), revealing shocking allegations of widespread abuse and neglect under government care.
The film traces the paths of survivors from the institution, alongside dedicated community advocates and families, as they confront the painful scars of abuse concealed behind its walls. Through intimate interviews and compelling storytelling, we witness the resilience and determination of survivors and their communities.
An inspiring tale of hope, community, and the power of breaking free from confinement, the film champions the boundless possibilities that await beyond ‘these four walls.’ Prepare to be moved, inspired, and forever changed by this powerful exploration of the human spirit.
More About the Film
This documentary is an important and historical record of the voices of survivors of institutionalization. It will be of interest to many self-advocates, educators, advocacy and disability groups, human rights activists, community groups and more.
Over the past year, These Four Walls has been in the film festival circuit. It was shown in 19 different film festivals in Canada. It has received the Best Manitoba Director award at the Gimli International Film Festival (GIFF), an Official Selection at the Regina International Film Festival and Awards, an Honorable Mention at the Montreal International Film Festival, and a Nominee at the Saskatchewan International Film Festival.
ELEVATE Faculty Dev Session – Plain Language Writing: Effective Instructions
Delivery: MS Teams – link provided upon registration | 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
If you’ve ever had students submit assignments that didn’t match the instructions, this session is for you!
This third workshop of the Plain Language series will focus on writing clear and effective instructions & questions. This workshop builds upon the previous sessions.
By the end of this workshop, you will be able to:
- Write in the active voice.
- Remove double negatives and prepositional phrases.
- Write clear and direct sentences.
- Use point form and lists.
Facilitator: Janine Bucklaschuk
Registration: My Learning (HUB > HR Unlimited > My Portal > My Learning Schedule > Choose session date > Choose the session you want > Click on Enroll Me)
Thursday, December 4
Immersive Stories with Dani Puddicombe, Hosted by Desirae Mercer
Location: Prairie Lights, NDC | 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Be part of an immersive storytelling experience with Dani as she shares her journey through depression, anxiety, burnout, and returning to full-time work.
About the Presenter
Dani began her Red River College Polytechnic career in April 2005 (20 years ago!) in the Research Partnerships & Innovation (RPI) office after graduating from the Red River College Business Administration program. She is currently the Research Operations Manager, Finance for the Office of Applied Research Services (OARS) with RPI and believes her role is one that is to bring clarity and efficiency to research operations so that strategy, purpose and people align in pursuit of research excellence. She has a diploma in Business and Administrative Studies; a certificate in Dental Assisting; and a diploma in Office Skills & Technology.
Additional Resources
- RRC Polytech
- Accessibility at RRC Polytech
- Accessibility Services for Employees: Visit the Accessibility page on Staff Forum for more information on services and support available to employees.
- Student Accessibility Services: To learn more about the services and support available to students, visit the Student Accessibility Services page.
- Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services: To learn more about these services, visit the Deaf and Hard of Hearing page.
- Neurodiversity Working Group: Visit the Neurodiversity Working Group blog post and Staff Forum page to learn more about the group’s mission, goals and how to get involved.
- Accessibility Garden: Community of Practice: Join RRC Polytech members as they exchange accessibility practices and conversation. To learn more, visit the Community of Practice: Accessibility Garden page on Staff Forum.
- External Resources
- Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI) – International Day of Persons with Disabilities – Commemoration Guide and CCDI Webinar: Creating neuroinclusive and accessible workplaces
- The Manitoba Accessibility Office’s Resources and Training
- Province of Manitoba – IDPD Proclamation