DEAM

Disability Employment Awareness Month

DEAM (Disability Employment Awareness Month) brings into focus our need for equitable workplaces and spaces for people experiencing disability. Recognized both provincially and nationally, DEAM is an October-long opportunity to get involved in creating a fair and safe working environment for everyone living with a disability. Take part in DEAM’s many events and happenings to show your support, spread awareness, and drive meaningful action in our communities.

Is Alberta Ready for the next wave of workers with disabilities?- Op-Ed by Sahana Parameswara

 

UPCOMING DEAM Events

Every October, Gateway Association joins communities across Alberta to mark Disability Employment Awareness Month. From employer panels to community gatherings, DEAM is a time to celebrate progress, share stories, and keep the conversation going. See the details of upcoming events below.

An image banner titled deam- disability employment awareness month- inclusion perks, Edmonton

Come for the coffee, stay for the connections.

Inclusion Perks is a casual, café-style morning built around DEAM. Employers, service providers, and people with lived experience come together over coffee to share stories and ideas for building more inclusive workplaces.

Each table has facilitation cards to keep the conversation flowing, so you leave with fresh perspectives, practical takeaways, and maybe a few new friends.

Tuesday, October 20, at Felice Cafe, Edmonton.

Opinion- Is Alberta Ready for the next wave of workers with disabilities? -By Sahana Parameswara

Opinion Editorial

Is Alberta ready for the next wave of workers with disabilities?

That’s the question our Executive Director, Sahana Parameswara, puts to the province in a new EdmontonJournal op-ed. Read the full piece.

The deam idea conference banner for 2026 with the title, what can one conference change?

DEAM IDEA Conference

This year’s DEAM IDEA Conference, hosted by the Alberta Employment First Network (AEFN), returns for its fifth annual gathering in celebration of Disability Employment Awareness Month on October 6th at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology

 

SOLD OUT.

A building lit up in purple in celebration of disability employment awareness month

Light Up for NDEAM!

On October 15, join us in lighting it up for NDEAM. We are wearing blue and purple, and we would love for you to join in. Take a photo, tag us (#GatewayAssociation), and we will share it on our channels.

 

Committed to disability awareness and employment opportunities for individuals and employers.

#DEAMPROCLAIM

How It Started

October was formally proclaimed “Disability Employment Awareness Month” by the Government of Alberta,  thanks to the caring efforts of many service providers, including Gateway Association. Albertans all agree: we want every citizen to have inclusive and equitable employment, and through a partnership with the Government of Alberta, DEAM continues to make it a priority.

October is an opportunity to spread the important message that a strong workforce includes the skills and talents of people experiencing disability. Businesses and employers who believe that diversity only makes us stronger are encouraged to hold their own awareness events throughout the month and to join others who are supporting and promoting inclusion.

Contact Us

Edmonton
201- 10941 120 Street NW
Edmonton, AB  T5H 3R3
Tel: 780-454-0701

 

Calgary
300- 1550 5 Street SW 
Calgary, AB  T2G 1M8
Tel:  587-779-7888

General enquiries: info@gatewayassociation.ca

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