A message from Laura LaChance, Executive Director of CDSS
This Saturday marks 35 years since the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law, a hard-won milestone that changed lives and created real momentum for inclusion. It was the result of relentless advocacy by people with disabilities who refused to be left out or left behind.
Here in Canada, we’ve made important progress too. The Accessible Canada Act sets a clear goal: a barrier-free Canada by 2040. With key objectives of improving social and economic inclusion, reducing poverty, and removing barriers in schools, workplaces, and communities for people with disabilities, the Disability Inclusion Action Plan and the Canada Disability Benefit are steps in the right direction. More organizations are focusing on accessibility and equity in their work. Increasingly, people with lived experience are not only speaking about inclusion, but leading it.
But this progress didn’t just happen. It came from persistence and the courage of communities who demanded better. We now see more voices at the table, more inclusive policies, and greater awareness of systemic barriers. But it’s not guaranteed to last. Across sectors, the principles of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) are under pressure both here and beyond our borders. These are not just buzzwords. They are the foundation of a just, forward-thinking society. We’re seeing pushback in government policies, in corporate priorities, and in public conversations. That’s why this moment matters. DEI is not a trend. It’s about fairness. It’s about making sure everyone belongs, and that no one is pushed to the margins simply because they need support. Self-Advocacy is on the rise with self-advocates leading the charge by sharing their stories, influencing policies, and demanding a say in decisions that affect their lives. As we work to increase awareness, visibility and representation, responses to CDSS Campaigns are making it clear: people with Down syndrome deserve to be heard and respected.
So, as we recognize the ADA’s legacy and reflect on the progress made in Canada, let’s remember what it took to get here. And let’s be clear:
We’re not done. We’re not going back. We must keep moving forward together.
Laura LaChance
Executive Director
Canadian Down Syndrome Society
Move Forward, Not Backward.
Lack of funding, exclusion from essential programs, and barriers to full participation in society have never been okay. Canadians with Down syndrome deserve the same access to basic rights and opportunities as everyone else. Tell the government to stop overlooking the rights of people with Down syndrome.
