How Can Canada Be More Accessible?

We quiz Jewelles Smith, disability activist

- Courtney Shea

Almost two years ago, Canada passed the Accessible Canada Act to identify and remove barriers for people with disabilities. What changes has that led to?

Well, these things take time, but right away, the ACA gives our community leveraging power. We saw this in action last year when Prime Minister Trudeau gave his first few pandemic addresses without a sign language interpreter, and we were able to demand and effect change almost immediately. So many Canadians are deaf or hearing-impaired, and if they can’t understand what’s happening during a global health crisis, that’s a safety emergency.

If you could wave a wand and address one key barrier to accessibility, what would that be?