George Brown Polytechnic is located on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and other Indigenous peoples who have lived here over time. We are grateful to share this land as treaty people who learn, work and live in the community with each other.
What is the Diversity Calendar?
The Office of Anti-Racism, Equity & Human Rights Services is pleased to present our annual Diversity Calendar that recognizes a variety of dates of significance. The art is created by equity-deserving artists from the George Brown Polytechnic community who connect with the representation of the calendar and the diverse commemorated dates.
Check out the Diversity Calendar here!
Get Involved
The Office of Anti-Racism, Equity & Human Rights Services (OAREHRS) features art submissions from George Brown students! We welcome you to share your visual art that reflects the intersections of identity, social justice, and belonging at George Brown and beyond.
Submissions for the 2027 Diversity Calendar will open in Fall 2026! Find out more and submit your art at the link below (login required).
Submission Guidelines
The Diversity Calendar is released annually by OAREHRS and reflects our commitment to honouring and celebrating the diverse, intersectional, and inclusive communities at George Brown. Chosen submissions may be featured in the calendar physically (distributed across campus), on the George Brown site, on our social media, and in other related venues.
For a chance to be featured in the calendar, submit your work through the form! The form is for submitting your work for consideration, and does not guarantee inclusion in the Diversity Calendar. Your submission includes two key parts: the Visual (5"x5", minimum 300ppi; can be paintings, digital illustrations, poetry, photography, and more) and the Written (around 50-150 words connecting your piece to the themes of the Diversity Calendar).
Up to twelve submissions may be chosen and featured. If your submission is featured, you will receive a $75 honorarium!
We want submissions to represent equity-deserving community members who connect with the representation of the calendar and the diverse commemorated dates. Your submission must be your own creation. Your submission is not expected to represent any particular date in the calendar. We reserve the right to edit or otherwise modify submissions for formatting and accessibility. Any submissions, including but not limited to discriminatory, harassing, or hateful submissions, may be rejected without explanation at any point in the project’s lifespan.
If you have any questions, please email wren.alden at georgebrown.ca.
Get a copy!
You can download a copy of the 2026 Diversity Calendar at the link above. You can also get a physical copy of the Diversity Calendar from OAREHRS at our events or any of our offices.
Would you like a larger batch of Diversity Calendars (e.g., for a class, event, other initiative)? Connect with us at diversity@georgebrown.ca
Want to learn more? Read more about creed-based accommodations below!
Creed-Based Accommodations
What are creed-based accommodations?
Accommodations are changes to how we usually do things, like policies, practices, norms, or expectations, that help meet people’s needs for equitable access, based on any of the protected grounds in the Ontario Human Rights Code. The duty to accommodate is a legal duty.
Creed is not defined explicitly in the Code, but it generally includes religions; religious creed; sincerely, freely and deeply held beliefs, and is directly linked to a person’s self-definition and spiritual fulfillment.
Your observance of a religion, culture, or other deeply held belief might include (and is not limited to) specific practices such as fasting, dietary requirements, taking time to pray during the day, wearing certain attire, or taking time off during certain times or days. If these needs conflict with your work or learning expectations, you may request creed-based accommodations.
Accommodations reduce barriers to our learning or working experiences to meet people's needs. Accommodations are individualized to your needs and situation, and usually focus on minimizing exclusion from your course or work – finding alternate ways to be engaged. Accommodations are granted based on need and not preference. They must be reasonable and are not required to be “perfect”. There should be no penalty or retribution for sharing accommodation needs. If your request for accommodation is not addressed, or if accommodations offered are not appropriate for you reach out to your instructor, Associate Dean, or manager. OAREHRS is also available to provide guidance and support to students, staff and faculty members seeking information about accommodation.
Seeking accommodations?
Do you have a conflict between your observances and your school or work expectations? Learn how to request accommodations and check out some Frequently Asked Questions!
When should I request accommodations?
It’s best to request an accommodation as soon as you know there might be a conflict.
- Students: check your course outlines and assignments for potential conflicts with important dates.
- Employees: bring your needs up to your manager as soon as possible.
- Instructors and managers: remind students of how to request accommodations at the start of each term.
The Diversity Calendar can be a helpful tool for this!
How do I request accommodations?
Email your instructor or manager to request an accommodation, share what you can and can’t do, and suggest accommodations that might work for you. Remember: accommodation requests are considered based on good faith. You do not need to provide documentation to prove your needs.
What if I experience discrimination or harassment connected to my observance?
All members of George Brown Polytechnic have the right to a learning and working environment free from discrimination and harassment. Your accommodation request should be kept confidential, shared on a need-to-know basis, and not result in any penalties or retribution. If you believe you have experienced any discrimination or harassment, contact OAREHRS so we can help address the situation.
Receiving requests?
Are you ready to receive requests for creed-based accommodations? Check out some Frequently Asked Questions below!
What do I do if I receive an accommodation request?
When you receive a reasonable request for accommodation based in Code grounds, grant it! A timely response is important. Reply as soon as you can with what you can grant to ensure people’s needs are met.
At George Brown, accommodations are an institutional responsibility.
Information shared by the person requesting accommodations should be kept confidential and private. Do not share someone’s reasons for an accommodation. Information should be shared with the requestor’s consent only with people who need to know to help facilitate the accommodation (e.g. making alternate testing arrangements).
How do I grant an accommodation request?
Accommodations may be requested in writing and/or verbally, but it is a wise practice to document and respond to requests through email. If you receive a request, first, make sure you understand what they need and what they’re asking for. If you need more information to consider the request, ensure that you follow up promptly with your question(s). Consider: does their suggested accommodation sound reasonable (i.e., does it meet their needs, reduce barriers, and maximize inclusion)? If you can implement the accommodation yourself, great! If you need support, reach out to your manager, Associate Dean, or OAREHRS.
How can I be proactively inclusive?
By reading this, you’re already taking great steps! Some more ways to make our learning and working environments more inclusive include:
- Knowledge is power! Inform people of their rights to request accommodations.
- Be prepared! Review the Diversity Calendar to identify significant dates and observances that might impact people’s capacities.
- Make time! Set clear deadlines well in advance, so people can share their needs in advance.
- Be flexible! Where possible, make multiple options to participate, avoid non-negotiable deadlines, and cultivate a space where people can share their needs.
- Learn more! Take 20 minutes to complete OAREHRS’ Our Duty to Accommodate e-module on Cornerstone and build your accommodations skills!