Public Policy & Learning Forum: Truth, Resilience and Change!

Join DAWN Canada for a 2-day forum advancing intersectional policy, accessibility, disability rights, and inclusive learning across Canada.
About this Event

Join DAWN Canada and our partners for two rich days of intense learning and sharing at our Public 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.

The Forum is being held with the support of partners and sponsors, including the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE) and the Public Policy Forum (PPF).

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 remarks, housekeeping and welcome.

Reflections for the Day Ahead: 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

🕑: 10:35 AM - 12:00 PM
PRESENTATION

Info: Oh Yes, Let's Talk About Sex

🕑: 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
LUNCH
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 - 03:34 PM
PLENARY & WRAP UP

Info: The Care Economy: Canada's Next Economic Infrastructure

DAY 2 — DECEMBER 2, 2026
🕑: 07:30 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: GBV: National Action Plan

BREAKOUT SESSIONS
🕑: 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
FIRESIDE CHAT

Info: Engendering Disability in Development

🕑: 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
FIRESIDE CHAT

Info: Working the Bench – DAWN Canada's Recent Work in the Justice System

🕑: 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
LUNCH
BREAKOUT SESSIONS
🕑: 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM
PRESENTATION

Info: From Theory to Practice – Rooting Resilience and Change

🕑: 01:00 PM - 02:00 AM
PRESENTATION

Info: GBV/EDID

BREAK
🕑: 02:15 PM - 03:15 PM
PLENARY & WRAP UP

Info: Getting it Right with Human Rights – What Have We Learned?