Check out the 13 Canadian buildings and monuments I’ve gotten to light up for Invisible Disabilities Week
We’re two weeks away from Invisible Disabilities Week, and I’m so excited to have gotten 13 buildings/monuments across ten Canadian cities lighting up to bring awareness to invisible disabilities! 🎉
This is the third Invisible Disabilities Week that I’ve been ✨open✨ about the rare muscle disorder I was born with, Central Core Disease.
For my first IDW in 2023, I was floored to be named the winner of the “But You LOOK Good” Inspiration Award by the Invisible Disabilities Association (floored because the past winners include comedian Wayne Brady and TV personality Yolanda Hadid!).
In 2024 for my second IDW, I did an interview with Mississauga News for an article on a report that the cost of living in Mississauga for people with disabilities is up to 39% higher than for those without disabilities, and did my first corporate talk for Arc’teryx’ disability-focused ERG.
This year, I’m doing another interview and corporate talk (more on those later), and I’ve been encouraging cities to light up to bring awareness to the invisible disabilities community.
An estimated up to 80% of disabilities are invisible/non-apparent, making it easier for them to be ignored or not supported by others, and harder for those living with them to advocate for themselves.
To me, Invisible Disabilities Week is about creating visibility and community for those living with them, and to encourage others to share their stories and experiences.
Because every time someone steps up and says who they are, the world becomes a better, more interesting place. ✨
Check out the list of locations and dates of the lightings below!
Apron Tower - Toronto Pearson Airport - Oct 19
Clock Tower - Mississauga Civic Centre - Oct 19
Niagara sign - Niagara Region - Oct 19
Clock Tower - Brampton City Hall - Oct 19
City Hall - Peterborough City Hall - Oct 19
Vaughan City Hall - City of Vaughan - Oct 20
Oakville Town Hall - Town of Oakville - Oct 20
Moncton City Hall, New Brunswick - Oct 20
Downtown Place - Moncton, New Brunswick - Oct 20
Avenir Centre - Moncton, New Brunswick - Oct 20
Downing Street - Moncton, New Brunswick - Oct 20
Fred A. Lundy Bridge - Town of Newmarket - Oct 21
Hamilton sign - City of Hamilton - Oct 22
National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) Speaking Event for ESDC!
Two weeks from today, I’ll be speaking virtually to 500-1,000 employees at Employment and Social Development Canada about supporting invisible disabilities in the workplace, exploring disability biases and beliefs and fostering an empathetic, inclusive culture - a dream fit for National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and just a few days before Invisible Disabilities Week!
From my story of hiding my invisible physical disability from colleagues for 10+ years, to how to raise awareness about + normalize disability in the workplace, I’m excited to share my newest keynote talk.
Thank you to the team at A-Speakers for their support on this session!
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month - here’s why remote work is a Yay
DID YOU KNOW, October has both National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), and Invisible Disabilities Week?
Back in 2013, I was looking for my first job out of university. The idea of commuting made me nervous - I find walking to and standing on public transit tiring, and I was worried I’d be too tired by the end of the day to do all the domestic upkeep of living alone.
When I came across a job at nonprofit arts organization that produced a huge South Asian festival, helping run such a massive event seemed impossible. I knew it’d involve being on my feet for hours, which I wasn’t sure I’d physically be able to do - I’d always had to avoid the classic retail or restaurant jobs growing up, because I knew I’d be too sore and exhausted being on my feet that regularly.
The main reason I decided to accept the job? It was mostly remote work. The festival itself would be exhausting, but a one-time thing to push through. Leading up to and after that, I’d only have to go in to an “office” once a week, and otherwise be able to work from home.
After working my first-ever festival, I was on my feet at least 15 hours and couldn’t walk without limping for a week. Every year after each festival, I’d still be sore for days, and it’d take me a week or two to get back to normal.
But I stayed for 11+ years - partly because I enjoyed it, and partly because even though in the short run it was hard, in the long run it was easier than some alternatives.
What works for me and my disability experience is kind of like a sprint vs a marathon - I could push through a burst of a busy, tiring time, because I was able to rest more outside of festival season. Whereas with an in-person office job, I’d be expending energy more steadily for a longer time, which is really difficult when you’re working with 33% strength of the average person.
Here’s your friendly reminder that remote work isn’t just a “perk” or a “nice to have” or a “wow they’re lucky/must be nice” - it’s an important part of keeping workplaces accessible to people with disabilities.
In some cases, it can keep a dedicated, detail-oriented, yay-saying employee around for 11+ years. 💁🏽♀️✨