Show your purple and blue colours on October 17 for Disability Employment Awareness Month
On Thursday, October 17, Ontario Tech will proudly recognize Disability Employment Awareness Month (DEAM) for the second year in a row. DEAM aligns with the university’s core values of inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility.
The university’s Accessibility Working Group (AWG) invites you to show your support and strengthen awareness by wearing purple and blue on October 17. Purple symbolizes creativity and harmony; it is also associated with the spirit of co-operation, which is essential as organizations work toward their common goal of increasing employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Blue represents trust, dignity, authority, professionalism, intelligence and loyalty; it is used by many businesses for their corporate identities.
If you’d like to participate in a group photo shoot on October 17, wear your purple and blue gear and meet the AWG team on the main floor of Shawenjigewining Hall at 1 p.m. If you are unable to attend the photo shoot but would like to still participate, feel free to take a photo and send it to aoda@ontariotechu.ca.
On the evening of October 17, Shawenjigewining Hall and Bordessa Hall will be illuminated purple and blue to convey the university’s recognition and support.
The DEAM initiative originated in 2020 as an event called , hosted by the . Originally only observed in Ontario, became a nationwide observance in 2021, with special lighting displayed on buildings, landmarks and signs, and individuals wearing purple and blue.