Systems Designed without Disability in Mind—And It Shows

As Executive Director of ABLE2, I see every day how systems that were never designed with disability in mind create unnecessary barriers. People wait months, or even years, for basic supports. Programs are underfunded, social services are stretched thin, and accessibility is often treated as an afterthought, available only to those who know to ask. Charities like ours step in where systems fall short, but we too, are underfunded and overstretched. The result? People who simply want to belong, pursue their passions, and live meaningful lives hit barrier after barrier.

I recently came across a LinkedIn post by Edmund Asiedu who said “You could become a person with a disability before this year ends.” This is a hard truth we don’t talk about enough. Disability can happen to anyone, at any time. And when it does, no one should have to fight for access, dignity, or inclusion.

Building on Edmund’s point, ask yourself: if you knew disability was going to be part of your future, would it change how you think about public spaces, workplaces, transit systems, or digital platforms? Would you demand programs and services that open doors instead of closing them? Would you demand full accessibility, not someday, but today?

This is the reality for nearly 8 million Canadians living with disabilities, and it could be yours too. Accessibility is not just about ramps or captions. It’s about equity. It’s about designing systems, spaces, and policies that work for everyone from the start. Think about curb cuts on sidewalks built for wheelchair access, but equally useful for parents with strollers, delivery workers, travellers with rolling luggage, and seniors. Inclusion benefits everyone.

We cannot keep patching the gaps in systems. We need to redesign them from the ground up. That means adequately funding disability programs, streamlining access to services, embedding accessibility into every policy and product, and including people with disabilities at every decision-making table.

At ABLE2, lived experience drives everything we do. People with disabilities sit on our Board. Program users shape our events and advocacy efforts. Over the years, we’ve seen that when accessibility is built in from the start, barriers come down, and everyone is empowered to thrive, advocate for themselves, and feel a sense of belonging.

Imagine a world where nobody has to ask to be included, because accessibility is already built in from the start. 

We don’t need to wait until disability happens to us or our loved ones. We can build better systems, spaces, and supports now. Inclusion is not a favour to anyone. It’s a shared responsibility and the smartest investment we can make for our future. 

If you knew disability was going to be part of your life tomorrow, what would you change today?

Published by

Heather Lacey

Experienced Non-Profit Executive Director

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