See below for past awareness events and check back soon for information on upcoming 2026 events and celebrations!
International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2025
Watch the Ability to Rise: Celebrating Leaders in Disability Inclusion recording from December 3rd, 2025.
On December 3, 2025 the Cedar Events Centre hosted Ability to Rise: Celebrating Leaders in Disability Inclusion Celebration in recognition of the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
This inspiring event featured motivational speakers, engaging presentations, live performances, awards ceremonies and meaningful networking opportunities.
Watch the recording from December 3rd 2025 here.
National Disability Employment Awareness Month 2025
Light It Up! For NDEAM (National Disability Employment Awareness Month) is a national lighting event held the third Thursday of October, now in it's sixth year.
On October 16, 2025 this coast-to-coast collaboration illuminates the nation purple and blue for one night, spotlighting disability-inclusive employment. It highlights the many ways people who have a disability contribute to businesses and their communities, helping companies be successful and competitive. It sparks engagement and conversation about disability-inclusive hiring between job seekers, families, community organizations, businesses and local governments, all across Canada.
For more information check out the Light it Up! For NDEAM, including a public relations kit in both English and French.
Stay tuned for information on NDEAM 2026.
Nova Scotia Access Awareness Week 2025
Thank you for a great week!
Nova Scotia Access Awareness Week: May 25-31, 2025
We would like to thank everyone for participating in Access Awareness week Nova Scotia 2025 and doing their part in raising awareness on accessibility and disability inclusion.
Look back at 2025 with event recordings and photos from Access Awareness week 2025 and stay tuned for more information about this year's Access Awareness week!
About Access Awareness Week
Nova Scotia was the first province in Canada to champion Access Awareness Week as an extension of Rick Hansen’s 1987 Man in Motion World Tour. During this initiative Rick and his team wheeled through 34 countries raising awareness about the potential of people with disabilities and the possibility of creating accessible and inclusive communities.
For 39 years, Nova Scotians have organized community events, press conferences, forums, concerts and lectures during Access Awareness Week to bring attention to the importance of removing barriers for people with disabilities. Through public awareness, community partnerships education and dialogue, Access Awareness Week aims to foster an environment of equal participation for persons with disabilities. To learn more about events and initiatives happening across the province see the Nova Scotia League for Equal Opportunities and Reachability.
International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2024
International Day of Persons with Disabilities
December 3rd marks the International Day of Persons with Disabilities proclaimed by the United Nations in 1992. It is a day to promote an understanding of disability issues and raise awareness on the importance of inclusion in all aspects of society. Accessibility for persons with disabilities is a human right in Nova Scotia and we are working towards removing and preventing barriers so that everyone has access to the same experiences and opportunities.
Join us to celebrate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
Ability to Rise: Celebrating Leaders In Disability Inclusion
Watch recording from December 3rd 2024 here
Take the time to learn about the experiences of those with disabilities in Nova Scotia, work that is happening to improve accessibility, and reflect on our own personal responsibility to make the province a better place to live.
