Everyone is welcome at the 2026 National AccessAbility Week Tradeshow and Conference

The 2026 National AccessAbility Week Tradeshow and Conference is back. Funded in part by the Government of Canada, and the Life Made Accessible Committee, the show is FREE to attend and will take place on June 1-2, 2026, at the Ken Seiling Waterloo Regional Museum in Kitchener. With a theme of “Building a Stronger, Accessible Canada”, we are excited to raise awareness about accessibility in Waterloo Region.

“As the Member of Parliament for Kitchener Centre, I strongly support the National Accessibility Tradeshow as a vital initiative and a powerful example of how our community can unite to champion accessibility and inclusion. By providing education, resources, and meaningful opportunities, this event empowers individuals living with disabilities and strengthens the fabric of our region while driving progress toward a truly barrier-free society”, said MP Kelly DeRidder, Kitchener Centre.

This two-day event will feature inclusive presentations, guest speakers, workshops for all ages and abilities, more than 50 product and service vendors, a TFH sensory room, a quiet room, the Motion mobile clinic, food trucks, access to the main galleries at the museum, and an impressive offering of accessibility features, including:

• A GRT accessible shuttle from Fairview Station in Kitchener to the Ken Seiling Museum and back

• ASL interpreters

• CART services

• Light/casual attendant services

• 3D tactile map

• Sighted guides

• WaveFront Centre's app: BETTEAR - providing audio enhancement for Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids, cochlear implants, or headphones.

To view the full conference program, visit NationalAccessAbilityWeek2026.eventbrite.com. 

“An accessible community is a stronger, more connected community. The Region of Waterloo is committed to ensuring residents can participate fully and feel included in all that our region has to offer. National AccessAbility Week is a time to celebrate the progress we’ve made together and to renew our promise to keep building a region where everyone belongs”, said Regional Chair Karen Redman.

The conference and tradeshow will conclude on June 2 with an adaptive dance party hosted by “A Chance to Dance” from 6 to 8 p.m. at Tapestry Hall in Cambridge. Tickets are $5 each, and proceeds go directly to the organizing charity. Tickets for the dance can be purchased on the main event page, with free general admission. Register here: NationalAccessAbilityWeek2026.eventbrite.com

"The 2026 Accessibility Tradeshow is an important step forward in building more inclusive and accessible communities," said Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic. "This event gives our community an opportunity to create space for learning, connection, and appreciation, bringing attention to the lived experiences and meaningful impact of people with disabilities in the cities and townships throughout our region. Kitchener is committed to building spaces for everyone, spaces where we care for each other and work together to remove barriers. Through accessible programs and strong partnerships, we continue to create opportunities that promote equity, belonging, and quality of life for all."

“We are thrilled to support persons with disabilities in Waterloo Region”, said Dan Lajoie, Manager of Independent Living Resources at ILWR. “The 2026 National AccessAbility Week Tradeshow and Conference will build on the tremendous success of last year’s show and provide an inclusive space for people with disabilities, the people and organizations that support them, and the community at large to access information and connect with each other.”