Light It Up! For NDEAM 2024

Light It Up! For NDEAM® spotlights the many ways people who have a disability contribute to businesses and their communities, helping companies be successful and competitive.

QUICK LINKS:

Submit your locations  | PR Kit  | Promo video (ENGLISH / FRENCH)  |  List of locations  |  Photo gallery  |  Event history  | 2024 Kick-Off Webinar recording  | Light It Up! For NDEAM Ambassadors League  |   Frequently Asked Questions

Experience the power of Light It Up! For NDEAM! Join the movement for the 5th Anniversary event on Thursday, October 17!

It started in Ontario five years ago. It grew fast. It spread across the nation. This coast-to-coast collaboration illuminates the nation purple and blue for one night, spotlighting disability-inclusive employment. There’s no other event like this one during National Disability Employment Awareness Month. But it’s much more than a special lighting event…be part of the national movement that ignites continuing conversation about disability inclusion in employment, in business and in our communities!

It’s led by the Ontario Disability Employment Network. It happens through collaboration with:

Get involved in your community in 2024 to Light It Up! For NDEAM purple and blue, for one unique night. The more the participation, the greater the impact! Last year almost 700 locations in almost 150 communities across Canada participated — that’s a lot of conversations about disability inclusion!

So join the movement. Join in the excitement. Together, let’s make year five of Light It Up! For NDEAM memorable. Let’s shine more nationwide light on disability inclusion than ever before!

Participating is easy with the Light It Up! For NDEAM PR Kit.

Missed the 2024 Light It Up! For NDEAM Kick-Off Webinar?

Watch the webinar now

If you’d planned to be at the June 20 kick-off webinar but couldn’t make it…don’t worry. We recorded it!

You can watch the webinar recording to get all the details about why and how to be part of this:

  • Coast-to-coast collaboration that lights up the nation purple and blue for one night
  • Movement that sparks continuing conversation about disability inclusion in business, in employment and in our communities

There’s no other event like Light It Up! For NDEAM during National Disability Employment Awareness Month!

Watch the webinar recording…and join this national movement and in the excitement!

 

Introducing the Light It Up! For NDEAM Ambassadors League!

The success of Light It Up! For NDEAM is fuelled by the passion, enthusiasm and excitement of people who get involved in the event. Who start those conversations. And who enthusiastically encourage others to participate in Light It Up! For NDEAM.

The Light It Up! For NDEAM Ambassadors League is a select group of these people who are passionate about being involved in Light It Up! For NDEAM and getting others involved in it.

These Ambassadors are passionate about Light It Up! For NDEAM because of what it represents and the impact getting involved in the annual event — and talking about it year-round — can have on disability inclusion conversation and action.

Find out more about the League and how Ambassadors can help you get involved in Light It Up! For NDEAM in your community, region and province!

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This year, are you getting involved in the Light It Up! For NDEAM 5th Anniversary event?

YES, I am! I want to submit a location now

Have a question or need guidance?

How to help make Light It Up! For NDEAM a colourful success country-wide

Esplanade Riel, Winnipeg

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We make participating easy — with the Light It Up! For NDEAM PR Kit

Brantford, Ontario City Hall illuminated purple and blue.
Brantford, ON, City Hall
Fitzsimmons Covered Bridge, Whistler, BC
The interior lobby ceiling lights of the federal Complexe Guy-Favreau building in Montreal are illuminated purple.
Federal Complexe Guy-Favreau, Montreal, QC (Government of Canada)

Use the resources in the Light It Up! For NDEAM PR Kit to get involved in lighting up the nation purple and blue on October 17! The Kit has all the resources you need to learn about the event, spread the word about it, submit lighting requests and show your support by wearing purple and blue the day of Light It Up! for NDEAM.

Access the PR Kit

User Guides

Promotional Material

Post Cards

(All PDFs have printer’s marks for commercial printing; bilingual on reverse side)

Templates

Graphics

Tip Sheets & FAQs

 

Accéder au kit RP

Guides de l’utilisation

Matériel promotionnel

Cartes postales

(Tous les PDF ont des marques d’impression pour l’impression commerciale; bilingue au verso)

Modèles

Graphisme

Fiche-conseils et questions fréquemment posées

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TELUS Tower, 25 York St., Toronto
Cabot Tower, Signal Hill National Historic Site, St. John’s
CF-104 Starfighter, Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, Mount Hope, ON

2024 participating locations

The running total at September 13, 2024…95 cities and towns…235 locations…and counting!

There’s no other event quite like this one, for NDEAM. Here’s the list of towns/cities and locations nationwide to date that are participating in Light It Up! For NDEAM on October 17.

Do you have a location to add to the list? Submit your information here.

NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR

Conception Bay South
Lupin Planning Group

Gander
Town Hall

Grand Falls-Windsor
Town Hall

Mount Pearl
SPCA Thrift Store

Springdale
Green Bay Community Employment Corp.

St. Anthony
Town Hall

St. John’s
City Hall
Avalon Employment Office
Cabot Tower at Signal Hill National Historic Site
Stingray Radio
Sobeys (Kelsey Drive)
College of the North Atlantic — Prince Phillip Campus

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

Charlottetown
City Hall Clock Tower
Government of PEI — Shaw Building

Souris
Souris Town Lights

Summerside
City Hall
Credit Union Place

Three Rivers
Three Rivers Town Hall Tower

NOVA SCOTIA

Amherst
Nova Scotia Works Office

Dartmouth
Easter Seals Nova Scotia

Halifax
Halifax Seaport District
Province House

Sydney (Cape Breton)
The Big Fiddle

NEW BRUNSWICK

Bathurst
Promenade Waterfront Tower

Belle-Baie
Municipalité de Belle-Baie — Le secteur de Beresford

Edmunston
City Hall

Grand Bay-Westfield
Veterans Peace Park

Moncton
Downing Street

St. George
Community Living Center

St. Stephen
St. Croix Vocational Centre Inc.

Tracadie
Municipalité régionale de Tracadie — Hôtel de Ville du Municipalité régionale de Tracadie

 

QUEBEC

Gatineau
Canadian Transport Agency Building (60 Laval)

Montreal
Stade Olympique de Montréal / Olympic Stadium

ONTARIO

Barrie
City of Barrie — Barrie Signature Sign

Bothwell
Michael Dawthorne (ODEN Board Past Chair) — Personal Residence

Bracebridge
Bracebridge Falls
Community Living South Muskoka Office

Brampton
City Hall Clock Tower

Brantford
City Hall

Brockville
Career Services of Brockville

Burlington
Brant Street Pier

Carleton Place
Central Bridge

Cornwall
Seaway International Bridge Pier

Flesherton
Southeast Grey Support Services — north road sign
Southeast Grey Support Services — south road sign
Life Directions — office window

Fort Erie
Peace Bridge

Hamilton
Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum — CF-104 Starfighter
Hamilton City Hall
Hamilton Signature Sign

Hanover
Civic Centre

Hawkesbury
Centre de service à l’emploi de Prescott-Russell

Huntsville
YMCA Employment & Learning Services

Kanata
Brook Street Hotel

Kincardine
VPI Employment Services Office Bldg.

Kingston
City Hall
Springer Market Square

Lanark
Performance Plus Rehabilitative Care Inc. — Home Office

Lion’s Head
Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula — Municipal Office
Brightshores Health System Lion’s Head Hospital

London
City Hall
J.A. Taylor Building
RBC Place London
Canada Life HQ

Markdale
Brightshores Health System Markdale Hospital

Markham
City Hall
Markham Gateway Sign

Meaford
Brightshores Health System Meaford Hospital

Midland
Town Hall

Mississauga
Civic Centre Clock Tower
VPI Employment Services

Newmarket
York Region Administration Centre Clock Tower
Riverwalk Commons
Fred A. Lundy Bridge

Niagara Falls
Horseshoe Canadian Falls
American Falls
Niagara Region — Niagara Region Signature Sign

North Bay
Canadore College
March of Dimes Canada — Kennedy Bldg., 3rd Flr.
North Bay & District Chamber of Commerce
Yes Employment Services
Community Living North Bay — Main Office
PHARA Office

Orillia
Agilec

Owen Sound
Brightshores Health System Owen Sound Hospital
Brightshores Health System Wellness & Recovery Centre

Quinte West
Veterans Skyway Bridge

Southampton
Brightshores Health System Southampton Hospital

Sudbury
March of Dimes Canada Employment Services
Adult and Youth Enrichment Center Campus

St. Thomas
“Jumbo” The Elephant Monument

Thunder Bay
City Hall
Current River Dam

Timmins
Timmins Signature Sign at Timmins Museum National Exhibition Centre

Toronto
Humber Polytechnic (North Campus) — Barrett Centre For Technology Innovation
Canada Life Building
CN Tower
TELUS Harbour (25 York Street Tower)
Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital

Vaughan
City Hall

Walkerton
VPI Employment Services Office Bldg.

Wiarton
Brightshores Health System Wiarton Hospital

Woodstock
Crafty Corner Tea Room

MANITOBA

Beausejour
Co-op Administration Office
Pennyweight Market
Coldwell Banker Real Estate
Access Credit Union
Town of Beausejour Office
Dawson Chiropractic Centre
Ja-ed Professional Suites
Supported Employment Options office
Association for Community Living — Beausejour Branch
Century 21
Beausejour Sportsplex (Sun Gro Centre)
Beausejour & District Chamber of Commerce (Chamber Sign)
Breezy Oaks Inn and Tavern
Guardian Pharmacy
Happy Go Lucy’s
Eastman Dental Group
Brokenhead Sausage
Headlines for Hair
Beau-head Seniors Association
Red Apple
Meraki Hair Studio
Daien Denture Clinic
Airliner Drive-In
Network4Change
HUB International
Beausejour Chiropractor
Beausejour GM
Community Futures
Annette’s
Chef in the House
First Street Auto
Royal Bank of Canada
Concetta’s Closet
TELUS
Kerryleegh Hildebrandtt RMT — Clinic
Spirit of the Boreal
Rexall Pharmacy
The Floral Merchant
Brio Insurance
Beausejour Dental Centre
Sobetski Enterprises Ltd.
Heavenly Health
Soberings Funeral Chapel and Crematorium
Serenity Gift Shoppe
Clipper Weekly
Cottage Country Cannabis

Lac Du Bonnet
Access Credit Union
Grans Bake Shoppe
Carnation Corner
Manitoba Made
Red Apple
Rona
Lac Du Bonnet Library
Dancyts Fine Foods
HUB International
Town of Lac Du Bonnet Office
Lac Du Bonnet Clipper
Lucci’s Tool
Mrs. Lucci’s Second Hand
Mrs. Lucci’s Resource Center
Cottage Country Cannabis
Agility Physio
Lakeview Steakhouse and Pub
Lac Du Bonnet Physiotherapy

Winnipeg
RBC Convention Centre
Canada Life HQ
Reaching E-Quality Employment Services
Connect Employment Services
Red River College — Exchange District Campus (160 Princess Street)
Red River College — Exchange District Campus (504 Main Street)
Red River College — Elgin Plaza

SASKATCHEWAN

Estevan
City Hall
Municipal Water Tower

Gravelbourg
Gravelbourg Bon Ami Inc.

Prince Albert
Hope’s Home – 540 1st Ave. East

Regina
Juliana Pizza
South Sask Independent Living Centre
Hope’s Home (Regina) – 350 College Ave.
Hope’s Home (Regina Rosswood) – 7695 Mapleford Blvd.

Saskatoon
SARC Office – 111 Cardinal St.
SaskAbilities – Partners in Employment Office
SaskAbilities – Provincial Services Office
SaskAbilities – Kilburn Training Center
Cheshire Homes of Saskatoon
SaskTel Centre
Hope’s Home – 217 Fairmont Drive
Hope’s Home (Saskatoon Brookdale) – 339 Brookdale Cresc.
Hope’s Home (Saskatoon Moxon) – 71 Moxon Cresc.
Cosmo Industries Main Bldg.

Warman
Hope’s Home – 403 Traditions Blvd.

ALBERTA

Calgary
Calgary Tower
Olympic Park
Reconciliation Bridge

Edmonton
High Level Bridge

Fort McMurray
Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo — Saline Creek Pedestrian Bridge

Medicine Hat
Towne Square

Okotoks
Municipal Centre

Red Deer
City Hall

Sylvan Lake
Lighthouse — Rotary Lighthouse Park

BRITISH COLUMBIA

Burnaby
City Hall
BC Parkway

Chilliwack
Chilliwack Society For Community Living — Employment Services

Coquitlam
Fountain — Lafarge Lake
Light Columns — Guilford Way
Light Columns — Pinetree Way

Cranbrook
REALM Services Inc.

Ladysmith
Town Hall
Ladysmith Signature Sign – Bob Stuart Park
Ladysmith Signature Sign  – 1st Avenue

Nanaimo
The Bastion

Penticton
Penticton Lakeside Resort
South Okanagan Events Centre
Boston Pizza
Hotel Penticton

Port Moody
City Hall

Trail
Victoria Street Bridge

Vancouver
BC Place
Vancouver Convention Centre
Bloedel Conservatory
Science World
TELUS Garden City Tower

Victoria
Legislative Assembly of BC — Ceremonial Entrance, Centre Fountain, Centennial (Back) Fountain, Confederation Park Garden

Whistler
Fitzsimmons Covered Bridge

White Rock
City of White Rock — White Rock Pier

Williams Lake
City Hall

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES

NUNAVUT

YUKON

Download the list (PDF)

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Take the next step — submit your Light It Up! For NDEAM locations today!

YES, I am! I want to submit a location now

Have a question or need guidance?

A Brief History of Light It Up! For NDEAM

2020 

  • In 16 cities all over Ontario, 28 buildings, bridges, landmarks and municipal signs shone purple and blue for one night (Thursday, October 22). Some businesses in St. John’s, NL, also participated. 
  • First-ever, Ontario wide event of its kind during National Disability Employment Awareness Month

2021 

  • The first national Light It Up! For NDEAM 
  • Across Canada, over 300 locations across all 10 provinces and in two territories, shone purple and blue on Thursday, October 21 
  • The federal governement participated, illuminating 35 federal buildings nationwide 
  • Through Light It Up! For NDEAM, National Disability Employment Awareness Month was officially recognized for the first time in some regions of the country. 
  • Nationwide, the event sparked conversation about the business benefits and economic importance of disability-inclusive hiring. 

2022 

  • Second national Light It Up! For NDEAM 
  • Evolution from a lighting event to a movement about disability inclusion in business and employment 
  • Federal government participated, illuminating 36 federal department buildings across Canada 
  • Government of Ontario participates for the first time, illuminating five buildings, in Peterborough, St. Catharines, Toronto, Orillia and Guelph 
  • Record participation  — almost 440 locations in almost 120 communities nationwide 

2023

  • Fourth annual event
  • Third national Light It Up! For NDEAM
  • Unprecedented participation across Canada — almost 700 locations (641) illuminated in almost 150 communities (147)
  • 45 federal buildings nationwide lit purple and blue — the highest number since federal involvement began in 2021
  • Some significant firsts, including the City of Brantford, ON, unveiling a new city-hall lighting system by illuminating purple and blue for Light It Up! For NDEAM
  • In Toronto, Light It Up! For NDEAM becomes the first-ever cause lighting event recognized by Humber College — the college invests in a new exterior lighting system for its Student Welcome Centre, and illuminates purple and blue for the event

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Light It Up! For NDEAM Photo Gallery

From the Terry Fox Memorial at Mile Zero in St. John’s, to the Vancouver Convention Centre on the West Coast, we’ve put together a collection of some of the best images of structures and landmarks around the country that have illuminated purple and blue for Light It Up! For NDEAM.

Visit the gallery

A photograph of a giant iron ore haul truck lit purple and blue, including the tires and wheel rims. There is a lighted sign across the front of the dumper that says, "Light It Up! For NDEAM". There are also graphics that say National Disability Employment Awareness Month, on the truck.

Light It Up! for NDEAM highlights videos

Watch these videos, and see some of the federal buildings, municipal offices, businesses and landmarks across Canada that illuminated purple and blue in 2021 and 2022.

2022

2021

An evening shot of the Telus Spark Science Centre lit purple and blue, with a lamp-post glowing in the foreground.

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