Celebrating the International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2025
Today, on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we join communities across the globe in recognizing this year’s theme outlined by the United Nations: “Fostering disability-inclusive societies for advancing social progress.”
As expressed through this theme, McMaster community members with disabilities continue to experience discrimination and exclusion within our society and community. They often face denial of dignity and agency, and often experience socio-economic challenges as they remain excluded from accessing social, employment and educational spaces.
It remains imperative that McMaster continues to evolve and progress in including persons with disabilities within our classrooms, within our support services, within our residences, within our workplaces, and within our social spaces. This year, 2025, marks the 20th anniversary since the launch of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA, 2005). These commitments and standards should continue to guide and strengthen our accessible infrastructure, expand inclusive teaching and learning practices, and ensure students, staff, and faculty with disabilities have equitable opportunities to thrive at McMaster.
This requires intentional approaches that will break down barriers, both attitudinal and physical. We are reminded that accessibility and inclusion are not add-ons, they are foundational to the wellbeing, success, and full participation of every member of our university community.
Building a truly disability-inclusive campus requires partnership. It means listening to lived experiences, engaging in collaborative problem-solving, and embedding accessibility into our everyday decisions. By fostering an environment where everyone can contribute meaningfully, we not only uphold human rights, we also advance the social progress that enriches our university and society as a whole.
To commemorate and celebrate Dec. 3rd, campus and community partners are organizing events across campus. These events will contribute to creating disability-inclusive spaces and dialogues, while reflecting on and upholding the university’s commitment to creating a more inclusive and accessible campus. Progress can only come when we expand our learning, when we demonstrate empathy, and when we are intentional in our daily practices.
To learn more and to register for events, please visit the International Day of Persons with Disabilities Event Page.
To expand your knowledge around disability inclusion and accessibility, the Accessibility Programs invites you to visit the Accessibility Hub to access trainings, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act resources, and access to policies and procedures.
Are you a person with a disability or someone who requires accommodations? The following may be of interest:
Contact: email access@mcmaster.ca to indicate interest to join this group.
- MSU Maccess – for students with disabilities
Contact: email Maccess at maccess@msu.mcmaster.ca
Events
The McMaster community will be celebrating the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3rd, 2025. The following events are being planned across the university.
- SAS Exam Prep Workshop
Date and Time: December 2, 12:30 p.m. to 1:20 p.m.
Location: Tim Nolan SAS Testing Centre, MUSC B101
Feeling overwhelmed going into exams? Join us December 2 from 12:30 p.m. to 1:20 p.m. for this session on everything exam prep. We’ll talk about how to make a study plan, stress management and how to study effectively so you can feel good this exam season! This event will take place in the Tim Nolan SAS Testing Centre in the basement of MUSC B101. This workshop is for SAS students and hosted by the Writing and Academic Skills teams academic coaches.
After this session, stick around to get individualized support through drop-in Academic Coaching that will be available from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Register on OSCARplus: SAS Exam Prep Workshop
- Access and Student Accessibility Services (SAS) Study Hall
Date and Time: December 4 and 9, 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Location: Mills L215
Are you an SAS or Access Program student? Join us for a combined study hall to get prepared for your exams.? This event is designed to be an evening of independent exam prep, in a dedicated quiet and accessible space in Mills Library, with free food and de-stressing activities to help fuel your studying.?Bring your friends and drop in for some dedicated focus time!
Register on OSCARplus:
December 9 Study Hall **Featuring a special guest appearance from SPCA Hamilton/Burlington’s visiting pet therapy program with Theo the Cat. Let’s stay pawsitive-we’ve got this exam!
- Inclusive Hiring Strategies for Individuals with Sight or Hearing Loss (Deafblind)
Date: Wednesday, December 3, 2025
Time: 1:00 to 2:30 p.m.
Location: Virtual on Zoom
Register: https://www.oscarplusmcmaster.ca/employerEvents.htm?eventId=55837
Hosted by the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB)
Student Success Centre, Career Access Professional Services (CAPS) is pleased to share the Windsor Essex Employment Group upcoming Information Session on Inclusive Hiring Strategies for Individuals with Sight or Hearing Loss, and we’re pleased to share this opportunity with our wider network across Ontario. This session will offer practical tools and guidance for employers, HR teams, and community partners who want to build more inclusive and accessible hiring practices.
What you’ll learn:
- CNIB’s Come to Work program and how it connects skilled talent with inclusive employers
- How to build accessibility into recruitment
- Workplace rights, accessibility obligations, and best practices
- Personal stories of resilience from individuals with lived experience
- Employee Accessibility Network Meeting
Date and Time: December 3, between 12:30 and 1:30
Network members invited, please contact access@mcmaster.ca for more information about joining the EAN.
- International Day of Persons with Disabilities Conference: Inclusion Benefits Everyone
Date and Time: Saturday, December 6, 2025, from 1:00 to 4:00 pm
Location: Online by Zoom
Register: https://www.oscarplusmcmaster.ca/entityRedirect.htm?eventId=55836
The Student Success Centre, Career Access Professional Services (CAPS) is pleased to share the upcoming event hosted by the Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians (AEBC). About this Event The goal for this year’s conference is to explore how being inclusive benefits everyone-not just people with disabilities, and to bust the myths that perpetuate exclusion. This virtual conference will be accessible to all and will feature ASL interpreters and real-time live captioning. Featuring guest speakers and an interactive, “Ask Me Anything” panel.
- SAS Exam Prep and Pizza
Date and Time: December 11, 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Location: Mills L215
Register: Register on OSCARplus: SAS Exam Prep and Pizza
Join us for an evening of independent study and academic coaching in a quiet and accessible space. Prep for your exams, enjoy a slice of pizza, and learn how academic coaching can support your learning needs. This event is for SAS students.