Quebec Week for People with Disabilities: Let's Start the Conversation

Did you know that in Quebec, more than one in five people aged 15 and above live with a disability? That's a total of over 1.5 million people (Canadian Survey on Disability, 2022).  

The Quebec Week for People with Disabilities will be held from June 1 to 7, 2024. This event is an opportunity to raise awareness about the accessibility and inclusion challenges that people with disabilities face. 

Start a conversation 

On the theme of “Let's Start a Conversation,” this edition will highlight the feelings of uncertainty or discomfort that people without disabilities can feel when interacting with people with disabilities. Bias, fear of doing the wrong thing or simply a lack of understanding about various disabilities can sometimes hinder communication. Engaging in open conversations, offering support or getting to know the person better helps to create an environment where everyone is respected and valued in their differences. 

Going further 

The Office des personnes handicapées du Québec provides many resources to help promote daily action toward inclusion of and accessibility for people with disabilities. We encourage you to explore the section dedicated to the Quebec Week for People with Disabilities on their website to discover concrete actions you can take. 

Action plan for people with disabilities 

The Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM)'s Department of Quality, Evaluation, Performance, and Ethics (DQEPE) has developed an action plan for people with disabilities. This plan aims to ensure accessibility and integration in employment, to ensure the safety of physical places, to improve the quality and safety of care as well as to promote inclusive communication. We invite you to consult this plan to learn more about the initiatives taken by the CHUM. 

To view the plan  (in French) 

The CHUM and Université de Montréal’s affiliated hospital research centre, the CRCHUM, stand for equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI), affirming their commitment to providing a welcoming and respectful environment for all, regardless of their differences.  

To achieve this goal, two Equity-Diversity-Inclusion (EDI) committees have been established. These committees work closely with the various departments within the CHUM and the CRCHUM to develop concrete actions meant to bring about significant change. In addition to promoting and raising awareness, the committee's task is to provide employee training, reinforcing the entire organization's commitment to these fundamental values. 


For more information about the CHUM EDI Committee (FR only)

For more information about the CRCHUM EDI Committee