Upcoming VAD Events

August Community Outreach Sessions
6th – Gibbons
6th – Morinville
13th – Portage Collage (virtual)
19th – Bissell
20th – Lac La Biche
26th – Drayton Valley

Voices Connect meetings
2026
September 3 & 17
October 15 & 29
November 5 & 19
December 3 & 17
2027
January 7 & 21
February 11 & 25
March 4 & 18
April 15 &29
May 6 & 20
June 3 & 17
July 15 & 29
August 5 & 19

Disability Awareness presentation:
August 24th, DATs Training

DEAM – Disability Employment Awareness Month
Every October, Disability Employment Awareness Month (DEAM) shines a spotlight on the importance of creating inclusive workplaces where people with disabilities have equal opportunities to succeed. It is a time to celebrate the valuable contributions that employees with disabilities make to our communities while encouraging employers to remove barriers to employment.

Despite the skills, education, and experience that many people with disabilities bring to the workforce, barriers to employment continue to exist. These barriers may include inaccessible workplaces, misconceptions about disability, limited accommodations, or hiring practices that unintentionally exclude qualified candidates.

The good news is that accessibility benefits everyone. When employers embrace inclusive hiring practices, they gain access to a larger talent pool, improve workplace culture, increase innovation, and build stronger, more diverse teams. Many workplace accommodations are simple, low-cost, or even free to implement, yet they can make a significant difference in an employee’s ability to thrive.

At the Voice of Albertans with Disabilities (VAD), we believe that employment is about more than earning a paycheck—it is about independence, dignity, purpose, and full participation in community life. We continue to work alongside employers, community organizations, and government partners to promote accessibility, disability awareness, and inclusive employment practices across Alberta.

Join Us for Accessibility in Action
As part of Disability Employment Awareness Month, VAD and EmployAbilities are proud to host the Accessibility in Action Resource Fair and Reverse Job Fair on Thursday, October 15, 2026.

This innovative event brings together employers, service providers, and job seekers with disabilities in a welcoming and accessible environment. Unlike a traditional job fair, the Reverse Job Fair allows job seekers to remain at their own tables while employers rotate through the room, creating a more comfortable and empowering networking experience.

Attendees will have the opportunity to:
Connect with inclusive employers.
Learn about employment supports and community resources.
Explore education and training opportunities
Discover workplace accommodation solutions.
Build meaningful professional connections.

Whether you are an employer looking to strengthen your workforce, a job seeker exploring new opportunities, or a community member passionate about accessibility, we invite you to join us.

Together, we can create workplaces where everyone has the opportunity to contribute, succeed, and belong.

For more information about the event, sponsorship opportunities, or how your organization can participate, please contact VAD or visit www.vadsociety.ca.

Accessible Driver Appreciation Week: Celebrating the People Who Keep Our Communities Moving
Every day, accessible transit drivers do much more than provide transportation—they create opportunities for independence, connection, and inclusion. Whether helping someone get to work, a medical appointment, school, or a social event, these dedicated professionals play a vital role in helping people with disabilities participate fully in community life.

This November, the Voice of Albertans with Disabilities (VAD) is proud to recognize Accessible Driver Appreciation Week, a time to celebrate the compassion, professionalism, and commitment of accessible transit drivers, dispatchers, schedulers, and support staff across Alberta.

Accessible transportation is about more than getting from one place to another. It is about ensuring that people with disabilities can live independently, maintain employment, access healthcare, volunteer, visit family and friends, and enjoy everything their communities have to offer. Behind every successful trip is a team of professionals who understand the importance of patience, safety, respect, and outstanding customer service.

Throughout the second week of November, VAD encourages members and the public to take a moment to recognize the individuals who make accessible transportation possible. A simple “thank you,” a positive comment, or a note of appreciation can make a lasting impact on someone whose work often goes unnoticed.

We also recognize that accessible transportation systems continue to evolve. Ongoing investment in accessible vehicles, technology, driver training, and customer service helps ensure that transportation remains safe, reliable, and responsive to the diverse needs of Albertans with disabilities. Working together, we can continue to improve these essential services for everyone.

How You Can Participate
During Accessible Driver Appreciation Week (November 8 to 14), you can help celebrate by:
Thanking your accessible transit driver or dispatcher.
Sharing a positive experience on social media using your local transit agency’s hash tags.
Sending a note of appreciation to your transit provider.
Encouraging conversations about the importance of accessible transportation.
Advocating for continued improvements to accessible transit services in your community.
Providing thank you cards
Coffee and snacks if possible

At VAD, we know that accessible transportation creates opportunities, builds independence, and strengthens communities. During this week, we proudly recognize the professionals who help make those opportunities possible every single day.

To every accessible driver, dispatcher, scheduler, mechanic, and support staff member—thank you for keeping our communities connected, accessible, and inclusive. Your dedication makes a difference in countless lives.