When Zachary Weeks was born, he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Doctors told his parents that he would never walk, talk, or be able to care for himself. Today, Weeks navigates life with the use of a power wheelchair — and spends much of his time taking care of others’ needs.
“As a person with a disability, society and medical professionals often tell you what you can’t do,” he says. “But my parents always treated me like anyone else and encouraged me to make a difference.”
Weeks began his advocacy journey through volunteer work in the nonprofit sector, with EmployAbilities.
“That opened my eyes to the fact that I wasn’t alone in facing these barriers,” Weeks says. “It ignited my journey to get heavily involved with the community in Edmonton and advocate for accessibility in employment, housing and beyond.”
Over time, Weeks worked so well that he kept getting hired out of his volunteer roles, and transitioned into consulting, partnering with businesses and organizations to design inclusive spaces and services. In addition to consulting, he currently works as the Community Support Assistant for WCB and volunteers with the City’s Accessibility Advisory Committee, which advises the mayor and city council.
As a passionate Oilers fan, Weeks was thrilled when his work led him to working on a project for Rogers Place that put accessible seats and washrooms on every level. “I was able to help ensure that the arena is a place where people with disabilities, including myself, can have a great experience,” he explains. “It’s nice when people can go to their favourite restaurant or event and not have to worry about getting into the space.”
Weeks says his approach to consulting is deeply collaborative and informed by the diverse needs of the disability community. “I always keep in mind that I’m just one perspective,” he says. “Accessibility isn’t just about ramps and elevators. It’s about having ASL interpreters, captioning and wayfinding for those with vision loss or cognitive challenges. There are so many layers, and I try to incorporate as many perspectives as possible in my work.”
For that reason, Weeks emphasizes the collective nature of his work.
“This isn’t just my award — I want to share it with all the folks doing tremendous work in the disability space and those who came before me. I wouldn’t be able to do what I do if they hadn’t done what they did. It’s about paying it forward.”
This article appears in the Jan/Feb 2025 issue of Edify
