By rdnewsNOW staff

Oct. 16

Red Deer City Hall and Sylvan Lake lighthouse to be lit purple and blue for disability-inclusive employment

Oct 16, 2025 | 9:54 AM

This evening, Red Deer City Hall and the lighthouse in Sylvan Lake will be lit up purple and blue to raise awareness for disability-inclusive employment.

The two buildings will be two of hundreds of landmarks that will join in on the initiative called Light it Up! For NDEAM on Oct. 16, a national event celebrating disability inclusion, accessibility, and equitable opportunity at work.

The initiative is in its sixth year, and in that time, they’ve lit up over 400 landmarks, buildings, and businesses in over 100 communities.

The initiative is part of the National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), a month-long celebration to highlight the importance of disability-inclusive workplaces.

“When we Light It Up! Together, we show what disability inclusion really is,” said Amy Widdows, CEO of the Ontario Disability Employment Network (ODEN), which leads the national initiative. “It’s more than a lighting event, it’s about lighting the path for equity and opportunity for every person in every community.”

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The buildings and landmarks that will be lit up includes the CN Tower in Toronto, BC Place in Vancouver, the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia in Victoria, the NWT Legislative Assembly Dome in Yellowknife, the Calgary Tower, the High Level Bridge in Edmonton, the Manitoba Legislative Building in Winnipeg, the Canada Life Buildings, Halifax City Hall, the Charlottetown City Hall Clock Tower, and the Confederation Building in St. John’s.

In addition, the Government of Canada will light up 57 federal buildings across the country, and the Government of Ontario will light 15 provincial sites.

“When workplaces include everyone, they perform better. It’s that simple,” said Widdows. “Disability inclusive hiring is more than compliance. It’s about community, innovation, and growth. Every time an employer removes a barrier, they make room for new talent and new possibilities.”

Citizens can join the celebration by visiting participating buildings and landmarks, sharing photos on social media, and using the hashtags #LightItUpForNDEAM and #WorkWithoutBarriers.