The Canadian Accessibility Network’s (CAN) vision is to empower persons with disabilities, improve socio-economic and health outcomes, and change mindsets and behaviours to create a more accessible and inclusive Canada.
To bring this vision to life, we must come together with individuals and organizations working in different industries and sectors from coast to coast across Canada, as well as collaborate with and better understand what’s happening across our international borders.
We welcome the opportunity to link arms with organizations representing the public sector, private sector, not-for-profit organizations, community service agencies and advocacy groups that are intentionally working towards creating, building and supporting a fully accessible Canada.
We also welcome the opportunity to collaborate with the many experts in accessibility that are not directly affiliated with any of these types of organizations who bring their brilliance, reputation, and expertise in many areas in the field of accessibility.
If you’re interested in learning more about the Network and want to play a part in moving towards our vision of an inclusive and accessible Canada, here are some ways that we encourage you to consider getting involved:
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There are two ways to become a CAN Collaborator:
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Once you’re Expression of Interest is received, we will invite you to a meeting with our National Office team to learn more about you and/or the organization, the work you are doing in accessibility and/or your interest in building capacity as it relates to accessibility.
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If there is agreement that there is a good fit for the collaboration, the National Office will make a recommendation to the Governing Council to accept your Expression of Interest.
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Once your organization has been approved to become a CAN Collaborator, you will receive a formal notification and invitations will be sent to you (or the organizations Appointed Representative) to join the upcoming meetings of the Advisory Council. For appointed representatives of organizations, you will be encouraged to invite other members of your organization to consider getting involved in one or more of our Communities of Practice. This is an optional opportunity for your organization but it is highly encouraged for those with interest and/or expertise in any of our areas of focus. Individual Collaborators are welcome to join one or more of the Communities of Practice, as well, however it is not required. To better understand the governance structure of CAN, please visit our Governance page where you will find our guiding vision, mission and principles, terms of reference for each of the bodies within CAN, as well as estimated time commitments and current meeting schedules.
If you’re a professional working in the field of accessibility but you are not formally affiliated with an organization, or you are an independent contractor and wish to be involved with CAN, we invite you to consider becoming a member of any one of our Communities of Practice.
If you have questions about becoming a member of any one of the Communities of Practice, please contact us.
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Complete the CAN Community of Practice (CoP) Sign Up Form to express your interest in joining a Community of Practice.
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We will invite you to a meeting with our National Office team to learn more about your interest in the CoP and your work in accessibility.
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If there is a good fit, the National Office will invite you to join the agreed upon Community of Practice(s).
Further questions about CAN and whether or not you and/or your organisation might be a good fit? Contact our National Office at [email protected] to coordinate a time to discuss.
