Level Playing Field

The Level Playing Field team wishes clients, partners, employees, supporters, family members and friends a very happy holiday season. In this year's annual end-of-year newsletter, #LPF reflects on approaching a decade in business, discusses the importance of considering #accessibility beyond certification, and reflects on another successful year of projects that continue to make places and spaces more #accessible for all. Read more right here: https://lnkd.in/e-bjRV-Q #LevelPlayingField #LPF #AccessibleCanada #AccessibleWorld #HappyHolidays #HappyHolidays2024

Frustrated by the 'disability as superpower' narrative, it oversimplifies our struggles. Disabilities are not tools for inspirational stories; they're realities we live with. Stop romanticizing our challenges – it's demeaning, not empowering. #AXSChat #WeAreBillionStrong #DisabilityInclusion #SDGs #DisabilityRights #Equity #Accessibility

Wishing lots of love to all of our clients, partners, colleagues, family members, and friends this Valentine's Day. We hope you get to spend some quality time with the VIPs in your life today, this long weekend, and as much as you can squeeze in every day and always. Hearts and hugs, Team #LevelPlayingField 💙

Accessibility is the bare minimum for dignity, equality, and participation. When you deny a disabled person the accommodations they need, you’re not just making life harder—you’re shutting them out. You’re drawing a line in the sand and saying, “This world isn’t built for you.” Think about it. If a building has stairs but no ramp, it’s not that a wheelchair user “can’t” enter—it’s that someone decided they shouldn’t. If captions are left off a video call, it’s not that a Deaf person “doesn’t understand”—it’s that someone didn’t think they needed to. Exclusion isn’t always loud or deliberate. Sometimes, it’s in the silence of a missed opportunity, the absence of a ramp, the lack of a seat, the indifference of “we’ve always done it this way.” It’s time to stop treating accessibility as a bonus. A world designed for only one type of body, one type of mind, isn’t a world built for everyone. And if a space isn’t accessible, it’s incomplete. The question isn’t, “Why should we make room for disabled people?” The question is, “Why hasn’t this room included us all along?” #DisabilityInclusion #AXSChat #WeAreBillionStrong #SDGs #Equity #a11y

"People with disabilities owe no one an explanation about their conditions; their right to privacy is inviolable."- Puneet Singh Singhal Art Credit: Heather Thompson Image Description: A digital painting of a woman with long dark hair in a long grey dress standing sideways with a calm but resilient expression in front of a mosaic sun on a similar mosaic floor. #WeAreBillionStrong #DisabilityInclusion #Privacy #Equity #DisabilityRights #SDGs #HumanInclusion

🚨 Have your say! 🚨 The public review of our draft standard for accessible service delivery is now open! Your feedback is vital for creating a standard that fosters equitable and accessible access to services for all. 👉 Share your lived experiences or expertise to ensure that access to services is provided in a more accessible and equitable way across Canada. 📅 The public review closes on April 14. Don’t wait—participate today! https://ow.ly/QPu850UZy5r Image: Two people shaking hands. Below them is the text: “Public Review: Draft Standard on Accessible Service Delivery”.

What do disabled people really want to hear? It’s not, “You’re so inspiring!” or, “I see you as my equal.” Sure, those words might sound well-meaning, but let’s be real—they often feel like hollow pats on the back. Compliments like these dodge the real issues and solve nothing. Here’s what disabled people actually want to hear: “You’re hired.” Not because of pity. Not because of diversity quotas. But because they’re the best fit for the job. Because their talent, drive, and work ethic are undeniable—just like anyone else’s. “Your medical coverage was approved.” Think about this: needing approval just to live with dignity. Healthcare isn’t some luxury. Yet disabled people have to fight tooth and nail for the basics, while many others take it for granted. “We’re happy to accommodate you.” Why does this still feel like asking for a favor? Accommodations are a necessity, not an indulgence. Accessible environments benefit everyone, but disabled people are still left pleading for what should be common sense. “You got the promotion.” Let’s talk about the career glass ceiling. Disabled people don’t want to be your diversity checkbox; they want to lead. They want their hard work to be recognized—not overshadowed by condescension or bias. The point is, empty praise doesn’t move the needle. Disability isn’t about being someone’s feel-good story. It’s about dismantling barriers and creating systems that give everyone a fair shot. Compliments are nice, but actions speak louder. What would happen if we built a world where disabled people didn’t have to fight for their rights, prove their worth, or demand inclusion over and over? A world where the system wasn’t rigged against them in the first place? It’s not charity. It’s not rocket science. It’s basic decency. Stop praising survival in a broken system and start fixing it. That’s what disabled people want to hear. What are you going to do about it? Graphic: Kelly Bron Johnson ID: The image is divided into two sections. The top half is titled "What people think disabled people want to hear," with two bullet points below: "You're so inspiring!" "I see you as my equal." The bottom half of the image is titled "What disabled people actually want to hear," with four bullet points below: "You're hired!" "Your medical coverage was approved!" "We're happy to accommodate you." "You got the promotion!"

Meet Natalia Mendez: Champion for Women with Disabilities Founder of Women On Wheels and a proud member of the Divas in the City.TV cast, Natalia Mendez is on a mission to create safe spaces, mentorship, and advocacy for women with spinal cord injuries and paralysis. Since 2014, Women on Wheels has built a global sisterhood, empowering women to support one another and advocate for change. Natalia believes that mentorship and community are the backbone of empowerment. When women with disabilities come together, they break barriers, uplift each other, and redefine what’s possible. To learn more about our mission check out our website: https://lnkd.in/eCay5RDv #WomenOnWheels #DWD #DivasInTheCity #DisabilityCommunity #MentorshipMatters #RepresentationMatters

Just a reminder, accessibility benefits everyone! 👉 Watch movies with captions? That's an accessibility feature. 👉 Use automatic doors? That's an accessibility feature. 👉 Take the elevator instead of the stairs? An accessibility feature. #AccessibilityMatters #DisabledAndCapble #HumanResources

🌨️❄️ This winter, think about access for ALL! 🦽🚶♀️👨🏿🦯 ✅Clear off your sidewalk so everyone can safely access it! 🚶♂️✨ ✅Accessible parking spaces are for PEOPLE, not snow piles! 🚗❄️ 🌟 A Small Act with a BIG Impact! 🌟 Shoveling snow isn’t just about convenience – it’s about making your neighborhood safer and more inclusive. By keeping sidewalks, transit stops, and pathways clear, you help people stay mobile and independent all season long. Let’s make winter easier for everyone! 💪 #WinterCare #AccessibilityMatters #SmallActsBigImpact #citynewsvancouver