2026 Policy & Learning Forum
About this Event
Join DAWN Canada and our partners for two rich days of intense learning and sharing at our Policy & Learning Forum: Truth, Resilience and Change! Advancing Intersectional Policy & Learning in Canada.
Held in the lead-up to the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), the Forum will create a space to bring research, lived experience, policy and practice together to identify gaps, share important new research and learning, and explore how public policy can better reflect the realities and priorities of women, girls and gender-diverse people with disabilities and deaf women.
Through plenary sessions, fireside chats, breakout sessions and facilitated discussions, participants will have opportunities to learn from and with our communities and contribute to conversations aimed at advancing meaningful, intersectional policy change.
Agenda
DAY 1 — DECEMBER 1, 2026
🕑: 07:00 AM - 08:30 AM
BREAKFAST, NETWORKING & REGISTRATION
🕑: 08:30 AM - 09:00 AM
OPENING & REFLECTIONS FOR THE DAY AHEAD
Info: OPENING & REFLECTIONS FOR THE DAY AHEAD with Elder Irene Compton Truth & Reconciliation in Policy
🕑: 09:00 AM - 10:15 AM
PLENARY 1
Info: The Eldridge Decision – Reconciling Gaps Between Law and Policy in Canada
BREAKOUT SESSIONS
🕑: 10:35 AM - 12:00 PM
FIRESIDE CHAT
Info: Policy & Service Good Practices and Gaps in Sexual & Reproductive Health & Rights
🕑: 10:35 AM - 12:00 PM
PRESENTATION
Info: Oh Yes, Let's Talk About Sex
🕑: 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
LUNCH
AFTERNOON BREAKOUT SESSIONS
🕑: 01:00 PM - 02:30 PM
PRESENTATION
Info: Foundations in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights
🕑: 01:00 PM - 02:30 PM
FIRESIDE CHAT
Info: Building Trust, Building Power: A Deaf-led Approach to Research
BREAK
🕑: 02:45 PM - 04:00 PM
PLENARY & WRAP UP
Info: The Care Economy: Canada's Next Economic Infrastructure
DAY 2 — DECEMBER 2, 2026
🕑: 07:00 AM - 08:30 AM
BREAKFAST, REGISTRATION & NETWORKING
🕑: 08:30 AM - 09:00 AM
OPENING & REFLECTIONS FOR THE DAY
Info: Root Resilience, Root Change, Root Justice
BREAK
🕑: 09:00 AM - 10:15 AM
PLENARY 1
Info: Disability Justice & the National Action Plan
Morning BREAKOUT SESSIONS
🕑: 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
PANEL
Info: Engendering Disability-Inclusive Development (EDID) and Collective Advocacy
🕑: 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
FIRESIDE CHAT
Info: Working the Bench – The Ahluwalia decision and coercive control
🕑: 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
LUNCH
Afternoon BREAKOUT SESSIONS
🕑: 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM
PRESENTATION
Info: From Theory to Practice – Rooting Resilience and Change
🕑: 01:00 PM - 02:00 AM
FIRESIDE CHAT
Info: EDID - Gender-based Violence – a transnational perspective
BREAK
🕑: 02:15 PM - 03:15 PM
PLENARY & WRAP UP
Info: The Promise of Brain Capital
Where is it happening?
CAD 214.75 to CAD 534.80
