Time In My Shoes
Upcoming Events
Tuesday, November 10, 2026
10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Fleming College, Room B3330
$40 per participant
Register here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/9ba02349-55a3-4b06-bfdd-5052f4687ced
Learn about disability from people who live it
Time in My Shoes (TiMS) is a hands-on disability awareness program that helps people better understand some of the barriers people with disabilities can face in everyday life.
What makes TiMS different is the people leading it. Every facilitator lives with a disability and brings personal experience to the conversation.
Participants don't simply listen to a presentation. They take part in activities, ask questions and learn directly from people who can speak openly about disability, accessibility and daily life.
What happens during a TiMS session?
TiMS uses hands-on activities and group discussions to explore different disabilities and barriers. Depending on the session, participants may:
- Use wheelchairs and try activities that require fine motor skills
- Learn sighted guide techniques and use simulation glasses to explore various types of vision loss
- Learn about service dogs and technology used by people with vision loss
- Use headphones, ear plugs and communication activities to learn about hearing loss
- Take part in activities that explore hidden disabilities and communication
- Experience how how noise and distractions can affect somebody’s focus and task completion
The activities get people talking. Participants are encouraged to ask questions throughout the session, including questions they may not have had an opportunity to ask or felt uncomfortable asking before.
Learning from lived experience
TiMS is led entirely by people who live with disabilities. Our facilitators can talk about their own experiences, answer questions and give participants a personal perspective on accessibility.
Conversations often move beyond the activities to topics such as public spaces, service dogs, accessible equipment, transportation and other parts of daily life.
Participants often arrive unsure of what to expect. As the session continues, they become more comfortable asking questions and joining the conversation.
Who is TiMS for?
TiMS can be adapted for different ages and groups, including:
Elementary schools
Students in Grades 4 to 8 rotate through activities that introduce disability and accessibility in an age-appropriate, hands-on format.
High schools
Sessions give students an opportunity to learn about disability, accessibility and barriers directly from people with lived experience.
Colleges and universities
TiMS can help students preparing for careers where they may work with or provide services to people with disabilities.
Businesses and organizations
Staff and business owners can learn more about accessibility and some of the barriers customers, clients, colleagues, employees and members of the public may encounter.
Community groups and services
Sessions can be adapted to help organizations learn more about disability and accessibility in the context of their work.
Program costs
Elementary schools
$10 per student, with four classes of Grades 4 to 8 required for this presentation.
This presentation will take most of a school day.
High schools, post-secondary institutions, businesses and organizations
$40 per participant, with a minimum of 10 participants.
We recommend no more then 30 participants per session.
This program is two hours long and all participants will receive a certificate of completion.
Bring TiMS to your school or organization
Give your students, staff or team an opportunity to learn about disability directly from people with lived experience.
Email: programs@pcpd.ca
Call: (705) 874-8661
Buy TiMS program tickets here.
A Peterborough program with a long history
Time in My Shoes has been part of CPD's work since the 1990s. The program originally took place once a year during National AccessAbility Week and reached about 75 students annually at locations around Peterborough.
In 2015, new funding gave CPD an opportunity to redesign TiMS and bring the program directly into schools. Since 2016, TiMS has reached approximately 1,200 elementary students each year, outside of the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Programs expanded to businesses, organizations, services and government in 2018.
Today, TiMS continues to bring disability education into schools, workplaces and organizations across the community.
What People Are Saying
“I really appreciated your workshop, especially going into the first responder field. I thought it was important to actually meet and talk with people with different abilities in a non-stress and ignorance-safe environment so that I'll be better prepared during a crisis. Thank you for that.”
Sam Lilly
“A very engaging and enlightening experience, which imparted empathy towards all those who have to navigate the world that is definitely not as accessible as it needs to be.”
Jeremiah Wade, Teacher, Otonabee Valley
“I have never experienced anything quite like this program. I was absolutely blown away by just how effective and honest it was.”
Elizabeth Lloyd, Educator
“I really enjoyed this program because the instructors shared their lived experiences as persons with disabilities, and they facilitated from the heart. The program was interactive, engaging and hands-on. Participants were encouraged to ask questions and felt safe doing so. We gained an understanding of accessibility and inclusion so we can better support persons with disabilities.”
Lisah P., Teacher
“An unforgettable opportunity for our students to gain new knowledge, behaviours, skills and values. We have been fortunate to have the TIMS program teach at our school the last two years and see growth in empathy and consideration for others within our learning opportunity as a result.”
Julie Adams, Teacher and Amigos Facilitator, Kenner Intermediate
“Attending the Time In My Shoes training was a transformative experience for PCFC staff. The program provided information about the day-to-day challenges individuals who have disabilities face and an eye-opening immersive experience that gave us a glimpse at what that actually feels like.
Jason, Rachel and the team brought passion, expertise and humour to the day. Their openness created a safe environment for anyone to ask any question, no matter how awkward. The training really helped us understand the specific challenges individuals with disabilities encounter at our Antrim Street site, and it has made us more determined than ever to continue improving the accessibility of our spaces.
I highly recommend the Time In My Shoes training to any organization that wants to improve its understanding of and responsiveness to individuals with disabilities. It was definitely a highlight of our staff development day.”
Nicola Lyle, CEO, Peterborough Child & Family Centres