Disability Employment Awareness Month 2026: Building Workplaces Where Everyone Can Thrive
October is Disability Employment Awareness Month (DEAM), an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the contributions of people with disabilities and reflect on how we can create more equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible workplaces for all.
DEAM is a national awareness campaign that highlights the value of employing and supporting people with disabilities and encourages employers, employees, and communities to help remove barriers in the workplace.
At RRC Polytech, we proudly support disability inclusion every day. Our commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (EDIA) means creating environments where employees and students feel welcomed, supported, respected, and empowered to succeed.
Building Awareness Through Action
Disability is part of human experience. Some disabilities are visible, while many are not. Some are permanent, while others may be temporary or episodic.
Creating accessible workplaces benefits everyone. Accessible communications, flexible work arrangements, ergonomic workspaces, and inclusive practices help ensure that employees, students, and visitors can fully participate and thrive.
This Disability Employment Awareness Month, we invite the RRC Polytech community to learn, reflect, and take action by exploring the supports, resources, and learning opportunities available across the Polytech.
Did you know?
RRC Polytech offers a variety of supports and resources that help create more accessible and inclusive workplaces.
- Supportive Employment within People Services helps employees access workplace accommodations and disability management supports. Employees can contact their Human Resource Specialist or TotalCompensation@rrc.ca for more information.
- Individual Emergency Plans are available for employees with disabilities who may require assistance during an emergency. To learn more or request a plan, contact Safety, Health and Security Services at safety@rrc.ca
- Ergonomic Assessments help identify workplace barriers that may affect comfort, safety, and productivity. Employees can request an assessment of their workstation or work tasks through the Ergonomics Assessment Request Form or by contacting Safety, Health and Security Services at safety@rrc.ca.
- Employees can connect with the Neurodiversity Working Group and the Accessibility Garden: Community of Practice to share experiences, learn from one another, and help advance accessibility and inclusion at RRC Polytech.
Celebrating DEAM at RRC Polytech
Throughout October, RRC Polytech will recognize Disability Employment Awareness Month through awareness activities, learning opportunities, and community engagement.
Light It Up! For NDEAM™
On Thursday, October 15, 2026, organizations across Canada will light up their offices and buildings in purple and blue for one special night as part of Light It Up! For NDEAM™, the annual National Disability Employment Awareness Month campaign led by the Ontario Disability Employment Network (ODEN).
RRC Polytech will join hundreds of organizations across Canada in demonstrating our commitment to disability-inclusive employment and celebrating the skills, talents, and contributions of people with disabilities through this national campaign.
One night. Hundreds of locations. One shared commitment to inclusion.
As part of the campaign, RRC Polytech will:
- Illuminate the Roblin Centre and the Paterson GlobalFoods Institute in purple and blue from October 15 to 31, 2026.
- Display the Light It Up! For NDEAM™ graphic on outdoor digital screens at the Exchange District, Notre Dame, and South Winnipeg campuses from October 12 to 16, 2026.
Join us by wearing purple and blue on October 15 as we celebrate disability inclusion and demonstrate our shared commitment to accessible and inclusive workplaces.
Learning Opportunities for Employees
The following learning opportunities are available to RRC Polytech staff and faculty.
Disability Awareness Training with Darrin Luke
Presented by Manitoba Possible
This training provides practical information and strategies for interacting respectfully and confidently with people with disabilities. It focuses on understanding disability, reducing misconceptions, and fostering positive and inclusive interactions. Participants will learn appropriate ways to communicate with people with disabilities.
The training also explores respectful language, disability etiquette, offering assistance, and avoiding assumptions and stereotypes. In addition, participants will learn about disability disclosure in the workplace, including considerations around how and when employees may choose to disclose a disability, as well as best practices for employers when receiving and responding to disclosure conversations in a respectful, supportive, and confidential manner.
Through discussion and real-life examples, participants will gain a better understanding of how small changes in attitudes, language, communication, and workplace practices can help create a more welcoming, accessible, and inclusive environment for everyone.
Choose the date and location that works best for you. The same session will be offered twice.
- October 7, 2026
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. (45-minute presentation followed by an optional 15-minute Q&A)
Location: A118, Notre Dame Campus
- October 8, 2026
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. (45-minute presentation followed by an optional 15-minute Q&A)
Location: E155, Exchange District Campus or online via Microsoft Teams
Space is limited. Early registration is encouraged.
Meet the Presenter
Darrin Luke is the Training Coordinator at Manitoba Possible, where he educates the public about disability, accessibility, and inclusion.
Darrin acquired his injury at the age of 10 as a result of a cancerous spinal tumour, which caused him to become a T7 paraplegic. Despite this challenge, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in History and French from the University of Waterloo, an Education degree from the University of Windsor, and a Human Resources certificate through the University of Manitoba.
Darrin enjoys spending time with his spouse, Jenny, their dog Harley, and their cats Gretz and Clark. He is also passionate about sports and has completed four half marathons. His interests include sledge hockey, wheelchair tennis, and waterskiing.
Understanding Ableism: Building Disability-Inclusive Workplaces
Presented by Homewood Health (EFAP)
Ableism is a form of discrimination that devalues people with disabilities—often unintentionally—through attitudes, language, or policies. This session helps participants recognize how ableism shows up in the workplace and provides practical tools to foster accessibility, respect, and inclusion for all employees.
October 15, 2026
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Location: Virtual
Register in My Learning: HUB >HR Unlimited > My Portal> My Learning.
Please note: This session will not be recorded.
Continue Your Learning Journey
Disability Employment Awareness Month is an opportunity to learn, reflect, and take action. Accessibility and inclusion are year-round commitments that benefit everyone.
Resources
- Career Services
- Career Services LEARN site: A redesigned and accessible online resource that provides students with career planning tools, employment supports, job search resources, and career readiness information. Students can also access resources with ASL interpretation.
- Accessibility Supports for Career Success (within the Career Services LEARN Shell): A module with resources and information related to disability-inclusive employment, including the Disability Employment Awareness Month (DEAM) Series 2025 that provides insights about job searching, preparing for Work Integrated Learning, and academic success for students with disabilities
- Accessibility resources
- Accessibility Plan: Learn about RRC Polytech’s ongoing efforts to identify, remove, and prevent barriers to accessibility across the Polytech.
- Accessibility Training: RRC Polytech offers a variety of accessibility training opportunities to help employees create more inclusive and accessible environments. Mandatory training includes Accessible Customer Service and Accessible Information and Communication Standard.
- Looking to build your accessibility skills further? Explore the RRC Polytech Instructor’s Guide to Accessible Courses. Available through LEARN and HR Unlimited’s My Learning section, this course provides practical guidance on creating accessible learning materials and applying the requirements of the Accessible Information and Communication Standard. While not mandatory, it is highly recommended for all employees.
- Accessibility Quick Tips Hub: A collection of practical tips, tools, and guidance to help employees create more accessible documents, meetings, communications, digital content, and learning environments.
- Tech Tips: Work Smarter, Not Harder: Explore technology tips and accessibility tools that support learning, communication, and productivity.
- Accessibility Feedback Form: Share feedback, suggestions, or accessibility concerns to help improve accessibility services and experiences at RRC Polytech.
- Employment Equity Self-Identification Questionnaire: Voluntarily self-identify to help the Polytech better understand and support the diversity of its community.
Additional Learning Resources
- CCDI resources
- Manitoba Accessibility Office recordings
Disability Employment Awareness Month is an opportunity to learn, reflect, and take action. Whether it is participating in a learning session, improving the accessibility of a document, supporting a colleague, or learning more about disability inclusion, meaningful change often begins with small actions.
Let us continue this journey together as we build a more accessible, inclusive, and welcoming workplace for all.