Seeing Pride: Changing The Conversation Around Disability In Canada

July marks Disability Pride Month in Canada—a time not only to celebrate the resilience, joy, and accomplishments of people with disabilities, but also to recognize the work still needed to build a truly inclusive country. For CNIB, a national leader in the blind, Deafblind, and low vision community for over a century, it’s a moment to honour identity, challenge misconceptions, and reaffirm a powerful message: we belong here, and we are proud of who we are.

“For me—and for CNIB—Disability Pride Month is about unapologetically showing up as who you are,” says Angela Bonfanti, President and CEO of CNIB. “It’s about reclaiming space. But it’s also about recognizing that no identity exists in a vacuum.” Angela highlights that the community CNIB serves is inherently intersectional, encompassing people who are racialized, queer, trans, Indigenous, immigrants, parents, students, and professionals. “Every layer of identity shapes how someone experiences disability and the world around them,” she explains. “That’s why intersectionality is so important to how we show up this month—and every month.”

That inclusive lens is what drives CNIB’s five-year strategic plan, The Way Forward. Born from community consultation, the roadmap is guided by three key pillars: “Attitude Is Everything,” “Safe and Accessible Journeys,” and “Our Kids Will Thrive.” The goal is to dismantle systemic and attitudinal barriers while empowering people who are blind, Deafblind, or have low vision to live the lives they choose. “At CNIB, we’re committed to breaking down the barriers that still exist—and doing that in partnership with the community we serve,” Angela says. “When solutions are community-led, they’re stronger and more sustainable.”

One of CNIB’s most impactful initiatives is the Come to Work program, led by Executive Director Shoko Kitano. As a blind immigrant woman of colour, Shoko brings lived experience and deep purpose to her role. “Being able to design my own career and become financially independent has always been my driving force,” she shares. “I wanted my disability to enhance my journey instead of hindering it.”

Come to Work connects job seekers who are blind or have low vision with inclusive employers across a wide range of sectors—from finance to human resources to customer service. More importantly, it shifts the way hiring is approached. “Our program puts job seekers in the driver’s seat,” says Shoko. “We don’t place people in boxes that assume what they can or can’t do. We empower them to pursue meaningful employment based on their own interests and passions.”

Employers, she says, often come into the process with fear or uncertainty, particularly around workplace accommodations. “One of the biggest misconceptions is that accommodations are expensive. That’s simply not true,” Shoko says. “Sometimes it’s just turning on a screen reader or providing a larger monitor.” She urges employers to shift their mindset: “Just ask, ‘What accommodations do you need?’ and let the job seeker tell you. The biggest barrier is often attitude.”

That shift in attitude is exactly what CNIB’s broader public education efforts aim to spark. Through workshops, partnerships, and storytelling, the organization is working to reshape how Canadians perceive disability—moving away from pity or assumptions and toward empowerment and pride. “Once you shift attitudes, you create the conditions for real systemic change,” Angela notes.

Both leaders emphasize that inclusion doesn’t happen by accident. It requires boldness, collaboration, and a willingness to learn. “The next generation gives me hope,” Angela says. “Young people in our community are rejecting outdated narratives and defining disability on their own terms. They’re not asking to be included—they’re leading.”

And the impact of that leadership is real. Shoko recalls one Come to Work participant who initially struggled to disclose their vision loss to potential employers. “Through the program, they gained the confidence to share their story, landed a job, and quickly got promoted to a manager role,” she shares. “Being confident about who you are can lead to meaningful and successful employment.”

As Disability Pride Month continues, CNIB invites all Canadians—whether employers, allies, or members of the community—to get involved. “Inclusion is a shared responsibility,” Angela says. “If you’re blind, Deafblind, or have low vision, there’s a place for you here—one that honours your whole identity. And if you believe in this work and want to make an impact, your support matters. Every conversation, every volunteer hour, every donation helps.” —Noa Nichol