**History & The World**

There was a time in history — not even that long ago — when people with disabilities were hidden away, institutionalized, denied rights, forgotten, or worse. I often wonder: if I was born this way in the 1900s — would I have even survived one year before they ‘got rid of me’?
In ancient societies, babies born with visible disabilities were sometimes left to die. In more recent centuries, people with disabilities were locked in asylums, removed from communities, and stripped of dignity. In Nazi Germany, people with disabilities were among the first victims of state-sanctioned murder under the guise of “mercy.” Even here in Canada, institutionalization, forced sterilization, and segregation were once accepted practices.

So, when I reflect on what it means to live with a disability in Canada today, I begin with that knowledge: that we have come a long, long way. The fact that I can write this blog, advocate openly, and be part of a community that centres ability, not pity — that alone is something to honour.

And on this Canada Day, I want to recognize that. Not because everything is perfect, but because we are no longer living in the shadows.

We are here. We are seen. And in Canada, we have the opportunity to live with both rights and respect. So, let’s take a peek at some amazing reasons why living with a disability in Canada is pretty good.

**The Privilege of Being Disabled in Canada**
We often hear that Canada is one of the best countries in the world to live in — and for many people with disabilities, that’s true in real, practical ways.
Healthcare as a Right, Not a Luxury
Unlike in many parts of the world, Canadians with disabilities can access essential health care without going bankrupt. Medical visits, hospital stays, and many therapies are covered. While gaps may still remain, the basic framework says this: you matter, and that’s powerful.
Legal Protections and Disability Rights
Canada has embedded disability protections into our core legislation. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Accessible Canada Act, and human rights codes across all provinces recognize disability as a protected ground. That means it’s illegal to discriminate based on disability in housing, employment, education, and services — a level of protection that many around the world still fight for. Most municipalities now have DEI departments — helping to keep inclusion moving forward in meaningful ways.
Social Supports That Say “You Count”
While far from perfect, Canada does have income supports like the Disability Tax Credit, provincial disability programs (like ODSP or PWD), and now, the national Canada Disability Benefit. These programs attempt to provide a safety net for those who are unable to work or face barriers to employment. They’re not yet enough to ensure dignity for all — but their very existence speaks volumes about our national priorities.

Education That Aims for Inclusion

Children with disabilities in Canada are entitled to education alongside their peers, with supports tailored to their needs. We’ve moved from exclusion to inclusion, from isolation to IEPs (Individual Education Plans). Even 40 years ago, when I was a young student, I had the right to be in a regular classroom setting. Yes, my high school, gave us options of either a classroom setting or a resource setting — but there was a choice! We are also given tools to help with whatever challenges we faced. For me, physical education looked different — I swam, and I did special track and field. I also had extra time to finish tests and exams because, let’s face it, my fingers don’t work as fast or as well as others. Not every classroom is perfect, but the principle — that all children have a right to learn, grow, and belong — is firmly Canadian.

A Culture That’s Shifting

Perhaps most importantly, Canada is becoming a country where disability isn’t just accommodated — it’s increasingly valued. Disability arts, inclusive employment programs, accessibility audits, adaptive recreation, and disability-led businesses (like ours) are changing the narrative from “what’s wrong” to “what’s strong.”

But Privilege Doesn’t Mean Perfection

With all this progress, it would be easy to wrap ourselves in red and white and say, “We’ve made it.” But the truth is, many disabled Canadians still live on the margins. We can love our country and still demand more from it.

Living in Poverty

Despite existing supports, many disabled Canadians live well below the poverty line. Monthly benefits often don’t cover rent, let alone food, medication, or transportation. People are left making impossible choices — because the system wasn’t designed to reflect the actual cost of living with a disability. I also find it contributes to isolation — the truth is, you can do more things when you have money. We all know money talks, and when you need accommodations, it always costs more. A recent cruise I took showed this clearly: many of the accessible excursions were double the price of the standard ones.

Barriers to Access Still Exist

Many buildings, businesses, and services remain physically or digitally inaccessible — even decades after accessibility became law. It seems like Canada keeps pushing back meaningful progress on accessibility. While the goal now is to become a barrier-free country by 2040 under the Accessible Canada Act, we’re not on track — and many in the disability community are calling for stronger action to meet that deadline. I personally think it might be impossible unless the government gives money to every business and building out there. Transit systems aren’t always reliable. Websites aren’t always screen-reader friendly. Forms, processes, and systems often assume a certain kind of user — one who doesn’t need accommodations.

Waiting Lists, Burnout, and Gaps

Publicly funded therapies, assessments, and supports often come with long wait times. Parents wait years for autism assessments. People in pain wait months for care. Caregivers go unsupported and unseen. I found that having Cerebral Palsy has made it very difficult in finding a dentist that would actually take me — not because there aren’t programs to pay for the dental work, but because they weren’t comfortable in doing dental work on me! So, to me, there is a gap in dental education that doesn’t prepare future dentists to work with people who have physical disabilities.

Intersectionality Is Still Overlooked

Not all disability experiences are the same. Indigenous, racialized, 2SLGBTQ+, and gender-diverse people with disabilities often face additional barriers, stigma, and systemic exclusion due to the intersection of multiple marginalized identities. Disability justice requires us to look at the full picture — and right now, parts of that picture are still missing. I am one of the lucky ones who lives with three intersectional barriers — I am an Indigenous woman with a disability. This makes it even harder to get a job, to travel, or to simply better your life. However, I love challenges and when I am told I can’t do something or that it seems impossible, I try anyway. Life is all about pushing to be better — hence why Canada must never stop moving forward.

Why I Celebrate Anyway

I celebrate Canada Day not because I think we’ve “arrived,” but because I know how far we’ve come. I celebrate because in Canada, I can speak up, and someone will listen. I can advocate for change, and someone in power may respond. I can build a company that reflects my values and be supported in doing so.
I celebrate because I know the generations before me fought for these rights. And because I want the next generation to have it even better.
I celebrate because there are wheelchair ramps now where there were once only stairs. Because service dogs are welcomed where people were once excluded. Because there are ASL interpreters at press conferences, closed captions on videos, and more people learning the word “ableism”. Because there’s a new park going up in a small community that is going to be fully wheelchair accessible; even wheelchairs swings.
I celebrate because I love this land. Because I believe in its potential. And because I know we are not done.

The Ability to Build a Better Canada

I’m a firm believer in evolution — and to truly evolve, we need to understand where we’ve come from. That means embracing all of our history: the inspiring, the painful, and everything in between. The good gives us strength — traditions, teachings, and the wisdom of our ancestors. The bad? That’s where the real growth happens. It’s about facing the truth, learning from it, and doing better. That’s what evolution looks like — appreciating how far we’ve come while keeping our eyes open to what still needs fixing.

Gratitude is powerful, but it shouldn’t be passive. If we’re truly thankful to live in Canada, let’s keep working to make it a place where everyone feels seen, valued, and included. At The Ability Company, we believe in taking the “dis” out of disability — and we believe Canada is one of the best places on earth to do that. Not because the work is done, but because the people here believe it’s worth doing. The same people who are as sweet as maple syrup and will still say sorry when you bump into them, eh?

Happy Canada Day. With ability. With courage. With pride.