🚀 Registration for FUTURES Fall 2025 Cohorts are open!
How do you invest in yourself? How do you build meaningful connections?
How do you impact your community? How do you shape the future?
FUTURES supports Disabled, Deaf, Neurodivergent, and equity-deserving
folks aged 18 – 30 as they answer these questions for themselves.
FUTURES is a three-month experience where you will join a cohort of
like-minded individuals making an impact. You’ll be a part of weekly
programming featuring creative workshops, guest speakers, facilitated
discussions, mentorship, game nights, and good old fashion hang-outs.
FUTURES empowers you to explore your identity, grow as a leader, and
build lasting connections.
PROGRAM DETAILS
Toronto – Fall 2025
Application Deadline: August 31, 2025
Program: September 15 – December 12, 2025
Virtual – Fall 2025
This program requires a weekly commitment of attending programming
for 3 hours per week (in person or virtual) and independent work up to 2
hours per week.
This is where it starts. Together.
Spaces are limited, register for FUTURES today:
studio.accessnow.com/futures
FUTURES Curriculum and Program Overview
FUTURES is a weekly program that supports Disabled,
Neurodivergent, and equity-deserving folks aged 18 –
30 to explore their identities, build community, and
take meaningful action. Through creative workshops,
mentorship, and community engagement,
participants develop a deeper sense of self, connect
with peers and leaders, and work together on projects
that create social change.
The program is grounded in three core pillars:
1. Self-Identity (Weeks 1–5)
This phase supports participants in exploring who they
are, how their experiences shape them, and how to show
up safely and authentically in various experiences.
Example Activity:
Found Poetry and Found Self Portrait: Cohort members
used various found media (books, magazines,
newspapers) and art supplies (paper, scissors, glue,
markers, photos) to create poetry and portraits that
reflect who they are and what they want their cohort to
know about them.
2. Community (Weeks 6–11)
This phase supports participants as they learn how to
build safer communities, explore what Disability and
Neurodivergent communities look and feel like in their
area, and strengthen the community of the cohort itself.
Example Activity:
Guest Speaker Series – Local Disabled and
Neurodivergent folks working in community spaces will
join session to talk about themselves, their history and
approach to community building, and the lessons they’ve
learned along the way. Participants will have the
opportunity to ask direct questions to each guest
speaker.
3. Social Impact (Weeks 12–15)
This phase supports participants as they learn how to
plan, design, and build actions that create sustainable
social impact. Participants will work independently and
collaborate on real-world projects aimed at social
change.
Example Activity:
Map Missions – Cohort members will work with the
AccessNow team to access map a specific area of their
neighborhood or the neighborhood of the AccessNow
offices. Participants will use their lived experiences,
community learnings, and cohort support to mobilize
knowledge about accessible, and inaccessible, spaces.
Activation Project
Throughout FUTURES, participants work on an Activation
Project – an initiative that reflects an issue they care
about. Whether it’s creating an awareness campaign,
designing accessible resources, or planning an event, the
project is a way to make real change inspired and driven
by each participants’ identity, passions, and strengths.
1-on-1 Mentorship
Each participant is paired with a mentor who brings lived
experience or professional knowledge in Disability
advocacy, the arts, community organizing, education,
and more. The mentors offer guidance, encouragement,
and a safe space to grow – helping to build confidence
and future pathways beyond the program.
FUTURES is a space for discovery, empowerment,
and impact—where young people are celebrated as
leaders of today and tomorrow.