Join DAWN Canada for a 2-day forum advancing intersectional policy, accessibility, disability rights, and inclusive learning across Canada.About this Event
Join DAWN Canada and our partners for two rich days of intense learning and sharing at our Public Policy & Learning Forum: Truth, Resilience and Change! Advancing Intersectional Policy & Learning in Canada.
Held in the lead-up to the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), the Forum will create a space to bring research, lived experience, policy and practice together to identify gaps, share important new research and learning, and explore how public policy can better reflect the realities and priorities of women, girls and gender-diverse people with disabilities and deaf women.
Through plenary sessions, fireside chats, breakout sessions and facilitated discussions, participants will have opportunities to learn from and with our communities and contribute to conversations aimed at advancing meaningful, intersectional policy change.
The Forum is being held with the support of partners and sponsors, including the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE) and the Public Policy Forum (PPF).
Agenda
DAY 1 — DECEMBER 1, 2026
🕑: 07:00 AM - 08:30 AM
BREAKFAST, NETWORKING & REGISTRATION
🕑: 08:30 AM - 09:00 AM
OPENING & REFLECTIONS FOR THE DAY AHEAD
Info: Opening remarks, housekeeping and welcome.
Reflections for the Day Ahead: Truth & Reconciliation in Policy
🕑: 09:00 AM - 10:15 AM
PLENARY 1
Info: The Eldridge Decision – Reconciling Gaps Between Law and Policy in Canada
BREAKOUT SESSIONS
🕑: 10:35 AM - 12:00 PM
FIRESIDE CHAT
Info: Policy & Service Good Practices and Gaps
🕑: 10:35 AM - 12:00 PM
PRESENTATION
Info: Oh Yes, Let's Talk About Sex
🕑: 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
LUNCH
BREAKOUT SESSIONS
🕑: 01:00 PM - 02:30 PM
PRESENTATION
Info: Foundations in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights
🕑: 01:00 PM - 02:30 PM
FIRESIDE CHAT
Info: Building Trust, Building Power: A Deaf-led Approach to Research
BREAK
🕑: 02:45 PM - 03:34 PM
PLENARY & WRAP UP
Info: The Care Economy: Canada's Next Economic Infrastructure
DAY 2 — DECEMBER 2, 2026
🕑: 07:30 AM - 08:30 AM
BREAKFAST, REGISTRATION & NETWORKING
🕑: 08:30 AM - 09:00 AM
OPENING & REFLECTIONS FOR THE DAY
Info: Root Resilience, Root Change, Root Justice
BREAK
🕑: 09:00 AM - 10:15 AM
PLENARY 1
Info: GBV: National Action Plan
BREAKOUT SESSIONS
🕑: 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
FIRESIDE CHAT
Info: Engendering Disability in Development
🕑: 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
FIRESIDE CHAT
Info: Working the Bench – DAWN Canada's Recent Work in the Justice System
🕑: 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
LUNCH
BREAKOUT SESSIONS
🕑: 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM
PRESENTATION
Info: From Theory to Practice – Rooting Resilience and Change
🕑: 01:00 PM - 02:00 AM
PRESENTATION
Info: GBV/EDID
BREAK
🕑: 02:15 PM - 03:15 PM
PLENARY & WRAP UP
Info: Getting it Right with Human Rights – What Have We Learned?
Event venue
Hilton Garden Inn Ottawa Downtown, 361 Queen Street, Ottawa, Canada
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.