Tuesday, November 25, 2025
The annual International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) is observed on December 3. Established by the United Nations in 1992, IDPD promotes the dignity, rights, and well-being of persons with disabilities. IDPD mobilizes support for critical issues relating to the inclusion of persons with disabilities, promotes awareness-raising about disability issues, and draws attention to the benefits of an inclusive and accessible society for all.
AMAPCEO Vice-President and Equity Committee Chair Cynthia Watt recently caught up with AMAPCEO Disability Caucus Chair Andrew Nolan and Vice-Chair Ashley Denby to discuss upcoming events, the importance IDPD, and member participation in the Disability Caucus.
Andrew Nolan joined the Disability Caucus in 2022 and recently became the Interim Chair. A 20-year veteran of the Ontario Public Service (OPS), he has worked in various roles across ministries, from individual contribution, team lead to management positions. A neurodiverse thinker and avid runner outside of work, Andrew is passionate about mental healthcare research, advocacy, and policy design. In recent years, he has opened up about his disabilities, social anxiety, and mental health conditions at work to try and find better ways to enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion not only for the mental health and disability community, but also for other historically marginalized groups. He believes in the power of inclusion and seeks to make everyone feel included.
Ashley Denby joined the OPS to understand the root causes of issues impacting the lives of Ontarians, and developing evidence-informed policies with an equitable, inclusive, and decolonized lens. Within the OPS, she has held roles in policy, data analysis, and program performance across several ministries. As the Disability Vice-Chair, Ashley aims to make a difference by supporting a barrier-free and inclusive environment for AMAPCEO members.
Cynthia Watt - What can you tell us about the International Day of Persons with Disabilities?
Andrew Nolan - IDPD is part of a global initiative led by the United Nations to help promote the understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights, and well-being of persons with disabilities. It’s not just a symbolic day—it’s a call to action, to every human being on the planet, for inclusion, accessibility, and equity in every sphere of human life, to spread awareness and bring attention for helping end the stigma, myths, and stereotypes that still persist in our workplace and social lives about people in the disability community.
For me, this day is deeply personal. Living with often quite disabling physical and mental health conditions, I’ve seen firsthand how stigma and systemic barriers can affect my own mental health and career progression in the workplace. One of the biggest frustrations people with disabilities and disabling mental health conditions face is being told “you can’t do that.” Often, it's more implied than overt, but the feeling is the same: “I’m not good enough.” Living with some of these conditions for three decades now, I’ve seen, felt, and reflected a lot on what stigma means, and what we can do about it.
Through education, awareness, and conversation, IDPD reminds us that disability is not a limitation—it’s a dimension of human diversity. The theme often focuses on breaking barriers and building inclusive societies, which aligns with my own advocacy: ending stigma, amplifying lived experience, and ensuring policies reflect real-world challenges. It’s about shifting the conversation from “what’s wrong with you” to “what’s possible”—because when we remove barriers, everyone feels included, everyone feels valued, and everyone, with or without a disability, benefits.
CW - What message would you like to share with AMAPCEO members about the importance of International Day of Persons with Disabilities, as well as the importance of other Disability and Mental Health Awareness issues?
AN - We live in an age where technology and globalization has enabled virtually everyone to have a voice and an opinion, and that voice can carry through almost any part of the globe, any part of society, at any time or day of the week. It’s a great advent for democracy and often, very beneficial for society. But as we have seen in recent years, it can and is often very toxic, and detrimental to mental health. That feeling and impact can reach everyone, but particularly marginalized groups, and the disability and mental health community is no stranger to that stigma.
Sharing our stories—our “lived experience”—is the path forward. It's not easy, and that's in part what these days of significance and awareness campaigns help with... to showcase accomplishments, abilities, and our history in the community.
It's entrenched in our historical lexicon to say someone “is disabled,” “is deaf,” “is blind,” “is crippled,” is schizophrenic,” is “being OCD,” “is bipolar”....as if somehow this is a core attribute of that person or a defining part of their identity. Rather, it is just one part.
Aspects of our physical and mental health conditions are often disabling and limiting and there’s nothing wrong with acknowledging it. But what often gets missed, and the issue we’ve historically faced, is preconceived notions by those without disabilities telling those with disabilities what they can or cannot do.
Ashley Denby – I think that there’s a lot of loneliness in having a disability—so many people (myself included at times!), think they aren’t, or won’t, be accepted. It can be so isolating. IDPD is a powerful day of solidarity and celebration.
It is also a reminder that there is still so much work to be done in promoting and advancing the well-being and livelihood of those who have disabilities. There is so much more we can do as a collective to improve inclusion in the workplace, foster greater understanding and empathy, and to demystify disability. Sharing our stories, experiences, and knowledge is so important in this work.
CW – Can you tell us about Disability Caucus events that occurred this year, or coming up for next year in 2026?
AD - We went through a transition this year in the caucus, and were unable to do as much as we had initially planned. However, for 2026 we have a number of engagement events and advocacy goals planned. We’re planning an event for Disability Pride Month, World Mental Health Day/Mental Health Awareness Week, and International Day of Persons with Disabilities in 2026.
AN - I think Ashley said it best. We went through somewhat of a leadership transition this year and had to take a pause on events for the better part of the year. But we’ve been working hard to make sure the voices continue to be advocated for, and we’re excited to bring new events and launch learning and awareness campaigns throughout 2026. So stay tuned!
CW – Can you provide some insight into why it was important for you to be actively involved with the Disability Caucus, either in a leadership or non-leadership role?
AN - I joined the Caucus three years ago, at the height of the pandemic. I had an issue when I was on LTIP, and was not happy with the Employer’s attitude with fixing it. I’m a systems thinker and an AMAPCEO Workplace Representative and former Chair of the Caucus helped me navigate through the issues.
I had shared how lonely and frustrating it felt, and we talked a lot about my experience with having mental health conditions and the disabling effects. She suggested I join the Disability Caucus, a community where I could feel heard and where others could share their experiences, and where we could collectively come together to find and advocate for solutions to these issues in our workplace.
I’m so glad I did. This Caucus helped me realize the true powers of AMAPCEO, of union advocacy, unity, and of collective support. It's been a trying journey for me these past few years, and we all had some trying times with the pandemic, the initial return to office in 2022, and now even more challenges to face with the rather draconian five-day Return to Office mandate.
The impacts are real, and many members are struggling, especially around the issues with the stigmatizing accommodation process and lack of understanding by management. But I am no stranger to adversity, and I am excited to participate and lead the Caucus through advocacy and this next phase into 2026, and find solutions that can work for us in the Disability community, for AMAPCEO, and the Employer.
AD - I’m honoured and grateful for the opportunity to serve as the Vice-Chair. It provides me with the ability to engage with our membership and support advocacy efforts. As I mentioned previously, having disabilities can be such an isolating experience that is often fraught with misunderstandings, systematic barriers, and stigma.
I’ve experienced this firsthand, and though I can’t control it from happening to others, I can do my part to lessen the negative impact and improve the spaces in which I occupy. So it’s important for me to create safe spaces where members can share their stories, find support and just be themselves.
CW – Finally, what advice do you have for members who may be interested in joining the Disability Caucus?
AN - Reach out to me or Ashley through the Disability Caucus email at DisabilityCaucus@amapceo.on.ca. Everyone with a disability is welcome and if you're just curious, come out to a meeting or event.
The nature of our members’ disability health conditions are wide and diverse, and it can sometimes challenge our commitments. I can attest all too well of those challenges. Sometimes you can commit more than other times, or at different levels of capacity. Even if you can’t fully commit, we understand.
What matters is you try. Your voice and ideas, verbally or in writing, are valued.
AD - Please join or show up in whatever capacity you can. Being a part of the Caucus matters, and our collective voice makes a difference.
To join the AMAPCEO Disability Caucus, visit amapceo.on.ca/equity/caucuses/disabilitycaucus