24% of Canadians identify as having a mobility, vision or hearing disability or challenge and nearly half say they spend time with or help someone who is dealing with these difficulties, according to the Angus Reid Institute (ARI). Yet building codes don’t meet the needs of all Canadians, and are not inclusive of people of all ages and abilities. ARI, in partnership with Rise for Architecture, released a report which found that Canadians are near-unanimous (96%) that accessibility should be prioritized in new buildings in their community. Given the widespread support for accessible communities, it’s critical that institutions consider accessibility as part of their strategic priorities, and any new builds consider accessibility from the outset. The panel of experts will discuss the importance of breaking down barriers in the built environment, their journeys to becoming trained in the area of the built environment, creating a culture of accessibility, and the importance of access to career opportunities for people with disabilities.