A group of seven young students sit together at a table in a classroom, participating in a shared learning activity. One of the students uses a wheelchair. At the top of the image is the CNIB logo on a yellow background and the Rick Hansen Foundation School Program logo on blue background.

Classroom Accessibility Allies

A free resource to help teach accessibility and inclusion in the classroom!

Created by CNIB and the Rick Hansen Foundation, Classroom Accessibility Allies is a free resource to help teachers introduce accessibility and inclusion concepts to primary-grade students. 

The front cover of the Classroom Accessibility Allies resource. The cover features a photograph of a busy, inclusive classroom where several students sit at tables working on an activity, while a teacher stands at the front holding a book. Above the photo, a bright yellow banner with bold black text reads “Classroom Accessibility Allies.” At the very top of the cover, the CNIB logo appears on a black background, alongside the Rick Hansen Foundation School Program logo on a blue background.

Aligned with commonly identified provincial and territorial educational priorities, Classroom Accessibility Allies is packed with hands-on activities designed to guide students through a structured, process of identifying, addressing and reflecting on barriers to accessibility. 

From adjusting seating layouts and improving signage to rethinking how activities are presented, Classroom Accessibility Allies makes accessibility approachable, showing students how even small changes, like adding tactile labels, improving contrast, or rethinking group work, can make a big difference. 

What's inside?

  • A quick start guide for completing a 90-minute group activity
  • Background information and educational resources on why accessibility matters, practical considerations, and more
  • An accessibility checklist for students to "audit" their classroom and identify barriers to inclusion by answering yes or no questions
  • An action plan template for students to document barriers and brainstorm solutions
  • A class reflection activity for group discussion 
  • Optional activities for deeper learning and a community accessibility checklist to explore beyond the classroom

Blending education with empathy, Classroom Accessibility Allies is an easy-to-use resource that equips educators with the tools they need to kickstart important conversations about accessibility and inclusion, while also connecting these ideas to cross-curricular competencies and the broader community.  It’s designed to spark discussions about inclusion and help students ask important questions like “Who might be left out? How can we make this better for everyone? What barriers might someone face that I don’t see?”

Classroom Accessibility Allies is easy to use and appropriate for kindergarten to grade nine students. Classrooms that complete the reflection activity can also receive a certificate recognizing them as official Accessibility Allies.

Join CNIB and the Rick Hansen Foundation in building inclusive classrooms!

Download your free Classroom Accessibility Allies resource

*This link will redirect you to the Rick Hansen Foundation website. La version française de la ressource La brigade de l’accessibilité en classe et de la page d’accueil sera bientôt affichée. 

Because when we teach inclusion early, we build a future that’s brighter, fairer, and more accessible for everyone.

This new resource is made possible thanks to a historic gift from The Slaight Family Foundation to 11 organizations supporting people with disabilities across Canada including CNIB and RHF.