Starting May 31st, DAWN Canada will be participating in National AccessAbility Week (NAAW)! The theme of DAWN’s campaign this year is Art & Disability and we have invited arts organizations from around Quebec to host online events showcasing the works of artists living with disabilities.

Check out the week’s events in collaboration with Articule, Corpuscule Danse, and Studio XX here! 

What is NAAW?

From May 31 to June 6 is National AccessAbility Week. It is a week for Canadians to promote inclusion and accessibility in our communities and workplaces, to celebrate our progress and to be inspired to further break down accessibility barriers.

We need to change the way we think, talk and act about barriers to participation and accessibility and we need to do it right from the start, not as an afterthought. An inclusive Canada is one where all Canadians can participate and have an equal opportunity to succeed in their workplaces and communities.

National AccessAbility Week aims to bring this perspective to the forefront for Canadians, and highlight some of the important initiatives the government and its partners are undertaking to bring about this change.

Why Art & Disability?

Quebec is home to many gifted artists living with disability, many of whom are already in our galleries or on our stages. In choosing Art and Disability for the 2020 NAAW theme, DAWN endeavours to highlight the work of disabled artists in our communities and inspire future generations of creatives to make art across barriers. 

How is DAWN getting involved?

On June 5th, DAWN Canada will be hosting a Zoom panel on Art & Disability and performance showcase to culminate the weeks’ events. Please join us!

The panel will feature four artists living with disabilities and be followed by an hour of live performances over Zoom! We will be showcasing the work of incredible poets, playwrights, dancers, and musicians.

BILINGUAL PANEL DISCUSSION - 2pm to 3pm EST

Véronique Leduc, Musician & Professor at UQAM’s Département de communication sociale et publique

Juanita Marchand-Knight, Audio Technician & Professor at McGill’s Schulich School of Music

Tara McGowan Ross, Poet

Corrina Hodgson, Playwright

Moderated by DAWN’s Nelly Bassily

PERFORMANCES - 3pm to 4pm EST

Noël Vezina, Contemporary Dancer

Malek Yalaoui, Poet

Bàra Hladik, Poet

Blxck Cxsper, Rapper

Renée Yoxon, Singer/songwriter

And a reading from a workl by Corrina Hodgson featuring actors Willow Tioti and Karuna Vellino

The panel and performances will both feature ASL and LSQ interpretation and French and English closed captioning.