A program of Access Awareness was started locally in 1982 by the Calgary Action Group of the Disabled. It became recognized by peers in the areas of Education, Art and Recognition.

Rick Hansen’s Man in Motion Tour in 1988 generated the creation of National Access Awareness Week to operate for a mandated 10 years. After 1998, the Access Awareness Program was formed to continue to address accessibility issues in Calgary.

Transportation	Housing	Employment	Recreation.	Education	Communication

These areas encompass almost every aspect of Canadian Living today and remain as prevalent today as in1988 when they were first launched. Change has been realized through the endeavors of Access Awareness, strengthened by the commitment of partners, volunteers and individuals. Access Awareness offers a key to unlocking the barriers of all six of the issue areas.

Once a year, Calgary Access Awareness Week focuses on the daily barriers that challenge persons with disabilities. This week also celebrates the successes of those who have overcome these barriers.

Calgary Access Awareness Week brings together representatives of the community, citizens with disabilities, volunteer organizations, educators, business, labor and various levels of government.

Calgary Access Awareness Week promotes a barrier-free society for ALL citizens of Calgary.

Statement of Purpose

The standing committee for Awareness will always act within the best interests of all disabled.

1. Involve itself in promoting public education by developing the concept of informed choices.
2. Work to develop within the public and private sectors positive attitudes towards the disabled.
3. Provide a vehicle by which the disabled community as a whole can speak for itself, creating in effect, a “Voice of our own.”
4. Promote, wherever possible, the abilities of the disabled by profiling in the media achievements and successes in all spheres.

The committee will achieve these goals by developing within the disabled community, the tools and skills necessary to gain positive public outreach.

The committee will promote a system whereby the image of the disabled, in whatever medium, can be observed.

The committee will develop and promote interests and goals common to the able-bodied and the disabled communities by becoming involved with the media.

With these goals and methods established as the Statement of Purpose, the Calgary Access Awareness Week Committee will create a firm structure for self promotion for the disabled community.