Building an Inclusive Future
through Collective Action

Understanding the school system can feel overwhelming, whether you are directly supporting a child with disabilities or simply want to be better informed. This session explains how special education works in Ontario in a clear and accessible way.

You'll gain insight into tools like the Individual Education Plan, learn how families and educators can work together more effectively, and explore how to advocate for the right supports. Ideal for parents, caregivers, and anyone interested in inclusive education and student success.

Starting the path to employment can feel overwhelming for youth with disabilities and their families. This session offers a clear and supportive overview of how to take those first steps with confidence.

You'll explore practical ways to build skills and gain experience, learn about programs like job coaching and supported employment, and understand how to access community resources. The session also shows how to match supports to different needs and prepare for workplace expectations.

The move into adulthood can bring many questions for youth with disabilities and their families. This session provides a clear and supportive overview of what to expect during this important transition.

You'll learn about changes after age 18, including services, funding, and key decisions, as well as tools like disability savings plans and other supports. We'll also discuss planning for independence and support needs, and ways to start thinking about next steps.

Caring for others is meaningful but can be challenging. This session focuses on mental health, resilience, and well-being for caregivers, while highlighting the importance of community support.

Participants will learn to recognize stress and burnout, explore simple coping strategies, and discover ways to strengthen support networks. Whether you are a caregiver or want to better understand these experiences, this session shows how we can support one another.

Join us for the Opening Ceremony of National AccessAbility Week 2026, a meaningful and inspiring community gathering that launches a week of conversations, creativity, and collective action for accessibility and inclusion. Co-organized by North Star Special Needs Society and York University, this special event will bring together families, educators, community leaders, advocates, partners, and supporters to celebrate the value of building a more inclusive society for children and youth with disabilities.

The program will feature opening remarks, guest addresses, community messages, and youth music performances in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Designed as both a celebration and a call to action, the ceremony invites participants not only to witness the start of National AccessAbility Week, but also to become part of a growing movement that promotes belonging, dignity, and opportunity for all. Whether you are a parent, educator, student, service provider, or community member, we warmly welcome you to join us and be part of this important moment.

Painting Music is a unique interactive arts experience in which children and families respond to live music through painting and creative expression. Originally created by renowned cellist, educator, and performer Sheng Dong, in collaboration with painter and writer Lydia Lin, Painting Music is inspired by the idea that music can be felt, seen, and expressed in many different ways. This inclusive activity welcomes children of all abilities and their families, and encourages emotional expression, imagination, and joy through the shared experience of music and art.

This inclusive art exhibition invites children with and without disabilities to create, express, and imagine together through art. Centered on the themes of understanding disability and accessibility, the exhibition encourages young participants to share their thoughts and feelings through creative work, while offering families and community members an opportunity to see the world through children’s eyes. By creating and appreciating art together, children can develop greater empathy, understanding, and acceptance of differences, helping to build a more inclusive community where everyone feels seen, respected, and valued.

NorthStar’s Charity Soccer Engagement Event aims to promote inclusion, connection, and social participation through sport. This event is expected to take the form of a friendly match and other interactive soccer activities, bringing together autistic children and neurotypical peers, in a supportive and welcoming environment. Through shared play, teamwork, and movement, the event hopes to create meaningful opportunities for children to interact, build confidence, and experience a sense of belonging. By using soccer as a platform for inclusion, NorthStar also hopes to encourage families and community members to recognize the value of accessible and inclusive sport.

This community movie event will feature The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, offering a fun and enjoyable viewing experience for children, families, and community members. The screening is designed to be sensory-friendly, creating a more supportive environment for neurodiverse children and their families. Adjustments will include moderated lighting and sound levels, flexible seating, and the option for participants to move freely in and out of the space, helping reduce discomfort related to sensory sensitivities.

As part of National AccessAbility Week (NAAW), this event uses a familiar and engaging medium to invite more people into a welcoming and inclusive public space, where shared stories and experiences can help foster connection.

NorthStar’s Golf Charity Experience aims to promote accessibility, inclusion, and community participation through sport. As the closing event of National AccessAbility Week 2026, this activity invites participants of all abilities and backgrounds to come together in a welcoming and supportive environment to experience golf.

Participants may choose to join a friendly on-course game or take part in a guided practice session at the driving range. With the support of professional coaches and volunteers, children with autism, families, and community members can participate at their own pace, enjoying the fun, interaction, and connection that golf brings in a relaxed setting.

Following the activity, the NAAW 2026 Closing Ceremony and dinner will take place, featuring guest remarks, a recap of the week’s activities, and recognition moments such as the “Best Swing” awards. Through sport, connection, and shared experience, this event not only offers a memorable experience, but also highlights an important message: everyone deserves the opportunity to participate in recreation and community life, helping to build a more inclusive and respectful society.

NorthStar’s Charity Dragon Boat Experience is designed to give children and families the opportunity to experience dragon boating in a safe, supportive, and inclusive setting. Dragon boating is one of NorthStar’s signature sports, and NorthStar’s dragon boat team won first place in a dragon boat race last summer. This event is designed to give both children and adults the opportunity to experience the energy, teamwork, and spirit of this powerful team sport. On the water in early summer, participants will be able to enjoy a refreshing and uplifting experience while discovering the sense of connection, encouragement, and collective strength that dragon boating brings. Through this activity, we hope participants will not only enjoy the sport itself, but also experience the spirit of NorthStar. With guidance from professional dragon boat coaches and accompaniment from our dragon boat team, children will be able to take part in the activity under structured instruction and encouragement. Through this experience, participants can enjoy teamwork, rhythm, and the shared excitement of paddling together, while also building confidence and engagement through sport.

The NorthStar Ottawa Dragon Boat Community Experience draws on the city’s natural waterways to create an open and welcoming outdoor space for children and families. In this relaxed environment, participants can connect with nature while experiencing the values of accessibility and inclusion in a meaningful way.

As an extension of NorthStar’s dragon boat program in Toronto, this event places a stronger emphasis on community participation and connection with the natural environment, offering more people the opportunity to explore water-based activities and enjoy the fun of outdoor teamwork.

This community-based art activity begins with participation, inviting children and youth to explore the themes of inclusion and understanding through creative expression. Inspired by the concept of “Art Beyond Barriers,” the project encourages children to recognize differences, express connection in their own ways, and share their perspectives of the world through art.

The activity combines an open call with community art engagement, allowing participants to express their ideas and emotions through various forms such as painting, crafts, and mixed media. Through this process, children are naturally introduced to concepts of accessibility and diverse perspectives in an engaging and meaningful way.