Building an Inclusive Winnipeg: The Power of Community and Dr. Matanga's Vision 

Championing Inclusion: Dr. Zephania Matanga and Winnipeg’s Push for Accessible Communities

Winnipeg, like many Canadian cities, continues its journey toward becoming a truly inclusive place to live. At the core of this effort is the principle that accessibility is a right—not a privilege. Every individual, regardless of ability, deserves full access to public spaces, services, information, and opportunities. This commitment is reflected in the work of advocates such as Dr. Zephania Matanga, Executive Director of the Canadian Multicultural Disability Centre (INC), whose personal and professional journey has helped shape a powerful vision for accessibility in Winnipeg and beyond.

From Personal Adversity to Advocacy

Dr. Matanga’s life story is a testament to resilience, education, and the enduring impact of community support. Born in a small village in Zimbabwe, he lost his sight at age five due to measles—an early and personal reminder of the critical importance of public health and immunization. While blindness might have created significant barriers, his home environment was one of acceptance. “They did not discriminate against me,” he recalls. “They treated me like one of them—both my family and the broader community.”

With that foundation, he pursued an education, eventually travelling 200 kilometres from home to attend a boarding school for the blind. His academic journey culminated in a doctorate in special education from the University of Toronto. Central to his motivation was a guiding piece of wisdom from his father: “If you are planning for one year, plant rice. If you are planning for ten years, plant a tree. But if you are planning for 100 years, educate yourself.”

However, while Dr. Matanga’s early experiences reinforced his sense of dignity and belonging, his later encounters with institutional discrimination—both abroad and in Canada—revealed the many structural and cultural barriers that persist for people with disabilities.

Addressing a Critical Gap

After immigrating to Canada in 1992, Dr. Matanga quickly recognized a pressing gap in services for newcomers with disabilities. Many found themselves not only excluded from mainstream society but also isolated within their own cultural communities due to communication barriers, stigma, and a lack of tailored support. The situation turned tragic when a friend—an immigrant from Uganda living with a disability—was found deceased in his apartment, weeks after his passing. He had died alone, with no support network.

This moment galvanized Dr. Matanga to act. He founded the African-Canadian Disability Community, which later became the Canadian Multicultural Disability Centre (INC) in 2002. The organization was created to address what he describes as the “nested process” of immigrant isolation, where individuals with disabilities can be marginalized both by broader Canadian systems and by their own cultural communities.

“People with disabilities, when they come to Canada, you are never heard from,” he says. “And sometimes that’s the end—you are only heard when you are dead.” That sobering reality continues to drive the Centre’s mission to create culturally competent support systems for multicultural Canadians living with disabilities.

The Broader Impact on Winnipeg

The work of the Canadian Multicultural Disability Centre carries profound implications for the city of Winnipeg. Beyond the immediate benefits to those it serves, the Centre generates broader social and economic value:

• Stronger Communities: By helping newcomers with disabilities build connections, the Centre enriches the social fabric of Winnipeg. These individuals bring unique experiences, talents, and perspectives that contribute to the city’s diversity and vitality.

• Reducing Isolation: Social isolation is a significant factor in negative health outcomes. The Centre’s work in fostering inclusion improves both mental and physical well-being, and lessens the burden on emergency and social services.

• Economic Participation: When individuals with disabilities are empowered with the right tools and supports, they are more likely to contribute through employment, entrepreneurship, and consumer activity.

• Innovation in Accessibility: The Centre also collaborates with engineers and medical professionals to design assistive technologies. These innovations not only support individual independence but can also benefit the broader field of accessibility.

• Advocacy for Policy Change: The Centre draws attention to systemic issues such as Canada’s immigration policies, which can be exclusionary to individuals with disabilities. This work has national implications, but its effects are especially felt in local communities like Winnipeg, where newcomers settle.

Immigration Policy and Its Consequences

Among the most significant barriers to inclusion is Section 19 of Canada’s Immigration Act, which allows immigration officials to deny entry to individuals whose disabilities are deemed likely to impose an “excessive demand” on health or social services. This provision has led some applicants to conceal their disabilities and has separated families at the border.

Dr. Matanga has long criticized the policy as fundamentally incompatible with a modern, inclusive Canada. “It creates a climate of fear,” he explains, “and forces people into hiding rather than seeking the support they need to thrive.” These policies, he argues, run counter to Canada’s international reputation as a progressive and welcoming country and can have lasting, harmful effects on immigrant families in Winnipeg and across the country.

A Shared Responsibility

While Dr. Matanga’s leadership is vital, he emphasizes that building an accessible society is a shared responsibility. Government agencies, community organizations, and individuals all have a role to play in ensuring that no one is left behind.

That effort requires:

• Policy Reform: Continued advocacy to eliminate discriminatory practices, such as those found in immigration legislation, is essential to building a more just society.

• Community Outreach: Local groups must do more to reach out and integrate newcomers with disabilities, ensuring that they have access to resources and a sense of belonging.

• Public Education: Breaking down attitudinal barriers through awareness campaigns and education about disability, cultural diversity, and universal design can foster greater understanding and inclusion.

• Collaborative Partnerships: Solving complex issues requires cooperation across sectors—government, non-profits, healthcare, education, and grassroots networks.

Dr. Matanga’s life and work offer a powerful reminder that inclusion does not happen by accident. It requires vision, dedication, and a collective commitment to equity. As Winnipeg continues to grow and diversify, the lessons drawn from his journey—and the vital work of the Canadian Multicultural Disability Centre—serve as both a challenge and a roadmap to ensure that everyone, regardless of background or ability, can find a place to belong and contribute.