For the second year, Niagara College students and employees can engage in immersive and educational activities that put empathy into action during Disability Awareness Week, March 9 to 13, 2026.
Registration is now open for a range of sessions, from hands-on VR experiences and interactive workshops to inclusive sports, panel discussions, and practical training on accessibility and allyship.
“I’m very excited that last year’s Disability Awareness Week was such a success that we’re able to expand this year, hopefully with even more faculty, staff and student involvement,” said Kate Wiley, Educational Development in The Centre for Academic Excellence (CAE). “I hope the weeks helps normalize conversations about disabilities and accessibility, so students feel seen, supported, and valued, and fosters a campus-wide mindset shift.”
Rescheduled from the fall, Disability Awareness Week is offered in partnership with the CAE, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Student Engagement, NCSAC, Health, Wellness and Accessibility Services, and NC-TRAC.
See the schedule below and register.
Monday, March 9
Empathy in Action with nc-TRAC (all)
(Mon. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wellness Lounge WC)
Test your skills and your perspective in an interactive obstacle course designed to highlight the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities. Participants will take on timed tasks using adaptive aids that simulate conditions such as limited mobility and reduced dexterity. This activity encourages reflection, empathy, and awareness in a hands on and memorable way.
Registration is not required.
It’s an IDEA (students)
(Mon. 10:30-11:30, AH255; limited to 15 participants)
Ever wonder what it’s like to navigate college life with barriers others might not even notice? In this interactive workshop, you will use VR headsets to step into immersive scenarios right on a post-secondary campus. You will meet characters from different backgrounds and make choices about how to respond in situations involving physical, architectural, and attitudinal barriers. Along the way, you will get to see how everyday actions and words can either reinforce or challenge ableism.
This one-of-a-kind experience was created by local professors and specialists to give students a powerful, first-person perspective on the lives of people with disabilities. Come ready to try out the tech, challenge assumptions, and leave with new strategies for building a more inclusive campus.
Registration required and attendance is limited.
Advocacy & Allyship (students)
(Mon. 10:30-11:30 a.m., DJP-NOTL Wellness Lounge)
Join us for a one-hour presentation where we explore, discuss and begin to understand how to be an ally for those with disabilities. As part of Disability Awareness Week we will explore different ways to offer support by challenging ableism and the important roles allies play in advocating for and creating inclusive and accessible environments.
Student Panel: Learning From Lived Experience (all)
(Mon. 1:30-3 p.m., Hybrid/WC AH255)
The Centre CAE, in collaboration with EDI and NCSAC are hosting a student panel. Join this hybrid session for a chance to hear from disabled students about their experiences in higher education and have the opportunity to gain knowledge on what practices you can incorporate into you work to best support students. The session will include a facilitated discussion as well as time for questions from the audience.
Registration is required. This session is being offered in a hybrid format, therefore please indicate if you plan to attend in person at the Welland Campus or virtually.
Tuesday, March 10
Disability Awareness Trivia (Students)
(1:30 – 3:00 p.m., DJP-NOTL cafeteria)
Join us for an engaging and educational trivia designed to deepen our community’s understanding of disability, accessibility, and inclusion. Stop by our table at the DJP-NOTL Campus cafeteria entrance to test your knowledge and support Disability Awareness Week.
Wednesday, March 11
Virtual Reality Disability Experience with nc-TRAC (all)
(Wed. 10 a.m. – 12 noon, WC, M102)
Step into someone else’s shoes through the power of virtual reality. Using VR headsets, participants can view immersive videos that simulate life with autism and ADHD. This experience offers a unique way to deepen understanding and appreciation for the realities of living with neurodiverse conditions.
Registration is not required.
Say This, Not That (Talking about Disabilities) (all)
(Wed. 10:30 – 11:30 a.m., Hybrid WC AH255/Virtual)
There is often confusion about the definition of disability and the appropriate language around disabilities. Also, many may have also heard the term ableism, but not understand what it means and its prevalence in society.
Join this session to raise awareness about the meaning of disability and suggestions on how to talk about them. Review ableism and examples of practices that you can incorporate to help reduce create safer environments for those with disabilities.
This session is for students and employees.
Registration is required.
Please email Kate Wiley ([email protected]) with any questions or for more information.
Brock Penguins Sitting Volleyball & Boccia Ball (all)
(Wed. 1:30 – 3 p.m., DJP-NOTL Gym)
Since 2006, Brock Niagara Penguins has recognized the importance of programming for athletes with physical disabilities, offering various opportunities for youth and adults with physical disabilities to participate in inclusive physical activity and sports.
Now Brock Niagara Penguins are coming to visit Niagara College, bringing some of their coaches and team members to share about their experiences and give us all the opportunity to join them in sitting volleyball and boccia ball.
Join is in the gym at DJP for some inclusive fun sports!
Registration is not required.
Thursday, March 12
Advocacy & Allyship (students)
(Thurs. 10:30 – 11:30 a.m., WC Wellness Lounge)
Join us for a one-hour presentation where we explore, discuss and begin to understand how to be an ally for those with disabilities. As part of Disability Awareness Week we will explore different ways to offer support by challenging ableism and the important roles allies play in advocating for and creating inclusive and accessible environments.
Creating Neuroinclusive Work Environments (employees)
(Thurs. 2:30 – 3:30pm, Hybrid DJP N018)
Join this session being offered as a part of the learning opportunities during Disability Awareness Week. This course will enhance participants’ understanding of neurodiversity and equip them with practical strategies to create more inclusive work environments. Participants will learn about key terms, neuroinclusive approaches and identify ways to enact inclusive practices that support neurodiverse colleagues. At the end of the course, participants will be able to define key terms, understand the importance of and how to incorporate neuroinclusive approaches into their daily work practices. This session will be offered virtually through Zoom. If you have any questions prior to the session please email [email protected].
Friday, March 13
Film Feature Friday
TBD.
Snoezelen Room Open House for Employees & Students (all)
(Fri. 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., M102)
Step inside NC’s Snoezelen Rooms Sensory rooms. This open house invites you to discover how these multi-sensory spaces can be used to stimulate, calm, or regulate the senses. Drop in to experience the rooms firsthand, ask questions, and learn how this resource can support student well-being on campus.
Registration is not required.
Accessibility in Action: Creating Accessible Documents and PowerPoints (Employees)
(Fri. 10:30 – 11:30 a.m., Hybrid/WC AH255)
True accessibility means proactively taking action to create and improve access for all individuals across our institution. In this session, you will have the opportunity to explore foundations of accessibility, learn about key practices and strategies for promoting accessibility, and have the opportunity to work through Microsoft Word and PowerPoint documents from an accessibility lens.
This interactive session will provide participants with the opportunity to join the session in a hybrid format either virtually or in-person (Welland Campus Room AH255).
Questions? Please feel free to contact Kate Wiley ([email protected]).
Do This, Not That: The Possibilities (and Limitations) of Universal Design for Learning (Employees)
(Fri. 1:30 – 2:30 p.m., Virtual on Teams)
It is easy to rely on unspoken assumptions about what teaching and learning should look like, or to feel that possibilities for change are too daunting. This webinar invites us to pause and examine some of the most common assumptions, exploring how they unintentionally create barriers to student success. Using principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) as a framework, we’ll discuss practical ways to shift perspectives and uncover new possibilities. Participants are encouraged to bring assignments or learning outcomes that feel especially challenging to adapt together.
