Oh Canada, Oh Capability | Vol. 1 No. 1

Welcome to The Age Dispatch

Hey there — we're Trish and Jen, and we’re so excited to welcome you to the very first issue of The Ability Dispatch. We created this newsletter to bring you closer to our journey with Ability Company — and more importantly, to the people and purpose behind it. Think of this as your monthly backstage pass: what we’re building, what we’re learning, and what’s inspiring us along the way.

This newsletter is more than a dispatch — it’s a growing, evolving reflection of what we believe: that accessibility is for everyone, and inclusion should never be an afterthought.

Thanks for being here from the start.

— Trish & Jen

Who We Are

We’re The Ability Company — a Certified Indigenous, women-led business based right here in Canada, where accessibility meets action. We’re not just checking boxes; we’re checking our biases, rethinking inclusion, and inviting everyone to the table. Whether we’re leading workshops, crafting thought-provoking content, or creating tools that foster connection, everything we do is rooted in one true north guiding principle: everyone deserves to belong.

What We Do

At Ability Company, we’re building a more inclusive Canada — one story, one event, one connection at a time. Our services are designed to bring people together, break down barriers, and celebrate accessibility in everyday life.

  • Ability Circles: Our community-powered spaces where people can connect, share, and grow. Whether it’s a virtual gathering or a local meetup, these circles are about belonging — no prerequisites, just people showing up for each other.

  • Ability Explorations We believe travel should be accessible to everyone. From curated getaways to inclusive experiences, we’re reimagining what it means to explore the world — with dignity, joy, and zero barriers.

  • Ability Storytellings: Real voices, real impact. Through speakers, a one-day podcast series, and our upcoming YouTube channel, we’re amplifying lived experiences and sparking conversations that matter.

  • Ability Events: Planning an event? We’ll help make it more inclusive and accessible — from the layout to the language. Because every guest deserves to feel welcome.

Quote of the Month

“There’s nothing more debilitating about a disability than the way people treat you over it.”
— Solange Nicole

This Month on The Ability Journals

There’s more where this newsletter came from — our blog is warming up with fresh ideas, bold perspectives, and a Canadian lens on accessibility. Coming on:

  1. July 1 - From Survival to Strength: Living with a Disability in Canada

  2. July 11 - Wimbledon, a Tennis Ball and the Rally that Changed Everything

  3. July 15 - Zooming In on Ability: Why We’re Launching a YouTube Channel

  4. July 30 - Ability Storytellings Is Medicine: Why We Speak, Why We Share

Journal of the Month: From Survival to Strength: Living with a Disability in Canada

There was a time when people with disabilities were hidden, silenced, or erased. Today, in Canada, we live with rights, visibility, and growing respect — but the journey isn’t over. From healthcare and education to legal protections and inclusive culture, there’s much to celebrate. Yet poverty, inaccessibility, and systemic gaps still hold many back. This blog reflects on how far we’ve come, the challenges we still face, and why building a better, more inclusive Canada is worth the effort — with ability, with courage, and with pride.

Read more here.

Behind the Scenes

We’ve been busy — in the best way. While you're reading this, we’re laying the groundwork for some exciting next steps behind the scenes.

  • We’re building more presence (and a whole lot more consistency) across our socials, so you’ll see us popping up in your feeds with fresh stories, tips, and reflections that bring accessibility to life.

  • We're also developing our first workshop series, kicking off with Inclusion 101 — a welcoming space to explore what accessibility really means and how we can all play a part.

  • And... drumroll please... we're launching a YouTube Channel! The two of us — Jen and Trish — will be having candid chats about inclusion, identity, and all the moments in between. But we don’t just want to talk at you — we want to talk with you. If you’ve got a story to tell, an insight to share, or just feel called to join the conversation, we’d love to hear from you. We’re looking for guests from all walks of life and lived experience to help us keep it real, honest, and deeply human. Want in? Reach out — we’re saving you a seat.

Word of the Month: Ableism

Ableism is discrimination and social prejudice against people with disabilities. It’s rooted in the belief—often unconscious—that non-disabled people are superior. Ableism shows up in systems, language, and everyday assumptions that exclude, devalue, or limit disabled people.

Service Spotlight: Ability Events

Planning an event? Let’s make it more inclusive. Ability Events helps organizations and communities design gatherings that are welcoming, accessible, and thoughtfully executed. From layout and language to sensory considerations and beyond, we work with you to ensure every guest feels seen, supported, and celebrated. Because inclusion isn’t an add-on — it’s the main event.

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