Indigenous people in Canada experience a disability rate significantly higher than that of the general population. Indigenous Disability Awareness Month (IDAM) brings awareness of these barriers and issues that Indigenous peoples and their families living with disabilities face every day. More importantly, we celebrate their achievements and recognize the significant and valuable contributions they make to our communities socially, economically, and culturally.
Indigenous Disability Awareness Month (IDAM) was created by BCANDS in 2015, and 2020 is the 6th anniversary! Since then, IDAM is now annually declared and recognized by the Provinces of British Columbia and Saskatchewan, the Assembly of First Nations, BC First Nations Summit, Métis Nation of BC, Council of Yukon First Nations, the Town of Inuvik, and hundreds of other Canadian organizations and communities. IDAM is the only Indigenous disability specific awareness initiative of its kind in the world. The United Nations recommended that Canada officially declare November as IDAM annually.
Officially proclaim IDAM
By working together in compassion and respect, we can work towards a Canada that is inclusive, equitable, and accessible for everyone. Show your, your organization’s, or your community’s support by recognizing and proclaiming IDAM every year.
Join these others persons and organizations below by filling out this proclamation statement – edit as needed, send back to us at bcands@bcands.bc.ca, and share widely!
Province of Saskatchewan Certificate of Recognition of IDAM 
Law, Disability, and Social Change IDAM Proclamation 
BC IDAM News Release 2016 
Province of British Columbia Proclamation of IDAM 
1/2 Assembly of First Nations Recognition and Designation of November as IDAM 
2/2 Assembly of First Nations Recognition and Designation of November as IDAM 
Metis Nation of BC Proclamation of IDAM 
BC News Media Release 
Senator Yvonne Boyer Statement 2020 
FIVE Behaviour & Education Services Inc. Proclamation of IDAM 
Inclusion BC Proclamation of IDAM 
Letter from the Honourable Scott Fraser regarding IDAM 
Remarks by Senator Yvonne Boyer for IDAM in November 2018 
Members, Ministers, and the Premier of the Northwest Territories wearing the BCANDS pin 
Minister Carla Qualtrough’s visit to BCANDS office 
Plan Institute IDAM Proclamation 2020 
Bridge River First Nation IDAM Proclamation 2020 
Statement from the Honourable Paul Quassa, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut 2020 
Province of Saskatchewan Certificate of Recognition of IDAM 2020 
BCANDS’ IDAM Webinar Series
In this year of virtual events, we will be hosting a webinar series to celebrate IDAM:
November 12th, 2020, 10:30-11:30 am PST: Support for Student Learning Program
Register Now: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIlcOytrjMtHtHel3c7UP0nRO2zJlK5YYuu
Please email project1@bcands.bc.ca by November 5th if you have accessibility requirements for this meeting
November 19th, 2020, 10:30-11:30 am PST: Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP)
Register Now: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEuf-mhqjorHNUh3Gql8f6KzAJAj_56nZtQ
Please email project1@bcands.bc.ca by November 12th if you have accessibility requirements for this meeting
November 26th, 2020, 10:30-11:30 am PST: Disability Case Management (DCM)
Register Now: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZArcOmpqzgjHtF8-OwB89oLiTiqlbzhSVg9
Please email project1@bcands.bc.ca by November 19th if you have accessibility requirements for this meeting
November 30th, 2020 10:30-11:30 am PST: Employment Engagement Project
Register Now: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMtd-6trTsqHN3W1elWqTSmwrcU_lK7Oc_I
Please email project1@bcands.bc.ca by November 23th if you have accessibility requirements for this meeting
Download our IDAM Poster
IDAM on Social Media
Follow along with https://twitter.com/BCANDS1 for current updates throughout November