The week of May 31 to June 6 is going to focus on accessibility for many provinces across Canada. As of today, the province of Saskatchewan announced they would join the rest of the country in proclaiming an accessibility week. 

According to a provincial news release, National AccessAbility Week in Saskatchewan will focus on inclusion and accessibility in communities and workplaces. It will also recognize the efforts of communities, people, and workplaces, to make accessibility possible. The theme this year is Because I Can.

“In our government’s new Plan for Growth, we committed to engaging the province to create accessibility legislation for Saskatchewan,” Social Services Minister Paul Merriman said. “I want to reaffirm our commitment to implementing Saskatchewan’s Disability Strategy by creating accessibility legislation that will remove and prevent accessibility barriers for people with disabilities.”

In Estevan, the city has recently been undertaking some accessibility projects of their own. Crews have been working on sidewalks along Souris Avenue from Valley Street to 4th Street adding wheelchair-accessible sidewalk ramps.  

During this week, the government of Saskatchewan will work closely with Spinal Cord Injury Saskatchewan. SCIS has been helping Saskatchewan people living with spinal cord injuries and other physical disabilities since 1964 and is one of the groups supported by Estevan United Way at their annual telethon. 

“During these uncertain times of navigating through a pandemic, supporting people living with disabilities remains a priority,” Spinal Cord Injury Saskatchewan Executive Director Launel Scott said. “The impact of day-to-day challenges experienced by everyone are heightened and demonstrate the need to move forward in strategies that will enhance access to services across Saskatchewan." 

This proclamation supports the Saskatchewan Disability Strategy by helping to create awareness and understanding of the rights of people with disabilities. The province said they want anyone who has done work that aligns with the Disability Strategy to post it on social media using the hashtag #SKDisability.