Awareness Dates
Below please find an annual list of special awareness dates celebrated provincially, nationally or internationally. Please note that this is not a comprehensive listing. Should you have an awareness date that should be included in our listing, please forward your suggestion to info@oarty.net.
January
Days
January 27th: Family Literacy Day (National)
February
Month
Black History Month (National)
Covenant House Month (Provincial)
Psychology Month (National)
Weeks
First Week: Eating Disorder Awareness Week (National)
First Week: White Cane Week (National)
Days
First Saturday: Safer Internet Day (International)
Last Wednesday: Pink Shirt Day (Anti-bullying) (National)
March
Month
National Nutrition Month (National)
National Social Work Month (National)
Days
March 1: Self-Injury Awareness Day (International)
3rd Tuesday: World Social Work Day (International)
March 21: World Down Syndrome Day (International)
April
Weeks
Third Week: National Volunteer Week (National)
Days
April 2: World Autism Day (International)
April 7: World Health Day (International)
April 20-22: Global Youth Service Days (International)
May
Month
Speech and Hearing Awareness Month (National)
Community Living Month (Provincial)
Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month (National)
MS Awareness Month (National)
Neurofibromatosis Awareness Month (National)
Weeks
First Week: Education Week (Provincial)
First Week: National Mental Health Week (National)
Days
May 1: Belonging - National Day to End Bullying (National)
May 12: Canada Health Day (National)
May 14: Children and Youth in Care Day (Provincial)
May 15: International Day of Families (International)
May 17: International Day Against Homophobia (International)
May 22-25: Aboriginal Awareness Week (National)
May 25: National Missing Children's Day (National)
May 25: World MS Day (International)
June
Month
Brain Injury Awareness Month (National)
Deaf-Blind Awareness Month (Provincial)
Days
June 21: National Aboriginal Day (National)
June 27: Canadian Multiculturalism Day (National)
July
Weeks
Third Week: National Drowning Prevention Week (National)
Days
July 1: Canada Day (National)
August
Days
August 9: International Day of the World's Indigenous People (International)
September
Month
Muscular Dystrophy Month (National)
Days
September 9: FASD Awareness Day (International)
September 10: World Suicide Prevention Day (International)
September 30: Orange Shirt Day (In recognition of the harm done through the residential schools and the commitment to reconciliation) (International)
October
Month
Autism Awareness Month (National)
Child Abuse Prevention Month (National)
Community Support Month (Provincial)
Learning Disabilities Awareness Month (National)
Weeks
October 6 - 12: Mental Illness Awareness Week (National)
The Week Before Thanksgiving: National Family Week (National)
October 14 - 20: YWCA Week Without Violence (National)
October 17 - 23: National School Safety Week (National)
October 20 - 26: Foster Family Week (National)
Days
1st Wednesday: World Cerebral Palsy Day (International)
October 10: World Mental Health Day (International)
Second Thursday: World Sight Day (International)
Second Saturday: World Hospice and Palliative Care Day (International)
October 17: International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (International)
November
Month
Adoption Awareness Month (National)
Weeks
November 1 - 7: National Down Syndrome Awareness Week (National)
Second Week: National Addiction Awareness Week (National)
Third Week: Bullying Awareness Week (National)
Third Week: Restorative Justice Week (National)
Days
November 11: Remembrance Day (National)
November 16: International Day of Tolerance (International)
November 19: World Day for Prevention of Abuse and Violence against Children (International)
November 20: Universal Children's Day (International)
December
Days
December 3: United Nations International Day of Disabled Persons (International)
December 5: International Volunteer Day (International)