AccessAbility Week and Toilet Talk with Michelle Mahoney

Trans Canada Stories

Trans Canada Stories is about sharing trans stories and celebrating trans people and allies, from coast-to-coast-to-coast.
In episode 7 'AccessAbility Week and Toilet Talk', we’re shaking it up a little, in the spirit of celebrating equity and inclusion.

This week is National AccessAbility Week!

The theme of this year's Accessibility Week is Forward Together: AccessAbility and Inclusion for All.
It runs nationally from Sunday, May 26 to Saturday, June 1, 2024, to celebrate:

• the valuable contributions and leadership of persons with disabilities in Canada
• the work of allies, organizations and communities that are removing barriers
• ongoing efforts to become a more accessible and disability inclusive Canada

Physical accessibility is a major component of inclusion work, but we always have to consider less obvious barriers to creating welcoming environments. Today, we’ve called in an expert, and she’s unstoppable when it comes to her valuable contributions and leadership, advocating for accessibility, life and laughter.

Michelle Mahoney was born with a condition that limited mobility in her arms, hands, and knees, and she was born with clubbed feet and a dislocated hip. The doctors told her parents she would probably never walk.

Flash forward to 1995 … when Michelle graduated from St. Francis Xavier University with what she likes to refer to as a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Independence. After working at Dalhousie University for 23 years, Michelle now sits on the Board of Directors for Easter Seals Nova Scotia, and Easter Seals Board of Canada as the Nova Scotia representative.
She is also the Accessibility Officer at University of King’s College in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Michelle is an avid surfer, enjoys downhill skiing, and waterskiing, and enjoys spending time with her husband, family, friends, and her dog, Gus and in this episode we're talking about accessibility both visible and invisible and the inequities of needing to pee.

Show Notes:
Connect with Michelle on LinkedIn.
Thank you to TD Bank Group for making stories like these possible.
Red Shirt Day: https://redshirtday.org/about-us/
Easter Seals Nova Scotia: https://easterseals.ns.ca/
Easter Seals Canada: https://easterseals.ca/en/

Today's TD Connected Community Moment:

Red Shirt Day:
https://www.facebook.com/share/tbhVf9YZLzRpfiEV/?mibextid=WC7FNe
Red Shirt Day of Action for Access Ability and Inclusion is a day when people across Canada come together and wear red to create a visible display of solidarity: to show their support for disabled people and their families, celebrate the achievements of disabled Canadians, and to pledge their commitment to help create a fully accessible and inclusive society.

Red Shirt Day is an Easter Seals initiative and was first celebrated in 2019. It takes place on the Wednesday of National Access Ability Week each year.

Anyone can take part in Red Shirt Day. Put on your favourite red shirt, take some photos and make a pledge to help improve accessibility and inclusion in your community. Then post your photos and your pledge on social media with the hashtags.
#RedShirtDay
#RedForAccessAbility
Other great Red Shirt Day Resources for kids:

Kids Inclusive: Kids Corner: A resource designed to help children understand different abilities through games, stories, and activities.

• The Rick Hansen Foundation: School Program: Offers lesson plans, toolkits, and activities for educators and parents to promote inclusion and accessibility.
• PBS Kids: Disability Awareness: Tips and resources for teaching children about disabilities and promoting inclusivity.
• Book List: Children's Books About Disabilities: A collection of children's books that highlight different disabilities and promote empathy and understanding.

Today's TD Connected Community Moment:
Be a guest. Tell us who you'd like to hear on an upcoming episode. Share with us the trans-forward topics most important to you. We would love to hear from you and it's easy to engage. You will NOT be added to any emailing lists; infact, participation is anonymous! Share with us here.
#TD #AccessAbility

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