For decades, people with disabilities have been developing vibrant disability communities where members belong and feel connected and advocate together for fair treatment and access to resources.
Some examples of what this looks like in Hamilton and at McMaster are listed below.
Disability community events in Hamilton include:
- Mad Pride Hamilton (July): An annual event to celebrate the arts, culture, and heritage of Mad(ness)-identified communities
- Ability Walk and Roll (August): An event to celebrate disability community and diverse abilities in Hamilton
- International Day of Persons with Disabilities (December 3rd): Over the last several years, McMaster commemorations of this day have included an arts celebration (2013) and a public lecture (2014)
- 20th Anniversary of Urban Braille: A fun event to create awareness about accessible sidewalk systems
Disability communities in Hamilton include:
- Hamilton Feminauts: A peer meeting space for women on the Autism spectrum
- L’Arche Hamilton: An intentional community of people labelled with intellectual or developmental disabilities (core members) and assistants
- Mental Health Rights Coalition: An organization run by and for consumer/survivors of the mental health system
Disability communities at McMaster created by and for students, staff, and faculty with disabilities include:
- Hamilton Mad Students Collective: A peer support group of and for Mad-identified students and/or students with mental health concerns
- McMaster Students Union Maccess: A service run by and for students with disabilities and chronic illnesses
- Employee Accessibility Network: A new network for all employees, staff, and faculty at McMaster.
