Explore Our March 2026 Diversity Calendar

The March 2026 Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (EDIB) Calendar is here! This is more than a calendar, it is a call to connect, learn, and grow in areas such as cultural and religious holidays, heritage months, and awareness observances. We encourage you to print and display the calendar in communal spaces, share it with the people you support, and keep a copy handy for your own reference.

This month’s image is about Neurodiversity, which invites us to challenge stereotypes and rethink how we understand neurological differences.

Download the March Diversity Calendar.

In March we celebrate and remember:

• Women‘s History Month: highlighting contributions that women have made in history and in society. It is celebrated every March to correspond with International Women’s Day on March 8.

• Irish Heritage Month: Irish Canadians have greatly contributed to the story of our country, and this month is an opportunity to learn more about their history and positive impact. After the Irish first began arriving in what was then known as New France in the 17th century, they often faced extreme poverty and discrimination. In the 19th century, many more arrived on famine ships. Despite many challenges, they thrived, and today, almost 4.6 million Canadians in towns and cities across Canada can trace their ancestry back to Ireland.

• Zero Discrimination Day on March 1: celebrating the right of everyone to live a full and productive life—and live it with dignity. It highlights how people can become informed about and promote inclusion, compassion, peace, and a movement for change in order to end all forms of discrimination.

• Purim on March 2-3: the Jewish festival of Purim commemorates the heroism of Esther, and the salvation of Jewish people from annihilation at the hands of Haman in the Achaemenid Empire. It is celebrated with Megillah readings, gifts of food, charity, feasting, and merriment.

• Holi on March 4: a spring festival celebrated predominantly in India by both Hindu and non-Hindu people, also known as the “festival of colours” or the “festival of love.” Holi represents the arrival of spring and the triumph of good over evil, and on this one day, the usual rankings of caste, gender, status, and age are ignored in favour of celebrating together by throwing colored water and powders on one another.

• International Women’s Day on March 8: a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality.

• Neurodiversity Celebration Week from March 15 to 21: a worldwide initiative that challenges stereotypes and misconceptions about neurological differences. It aims to transform how neurodivergent individuals are perceived and supported by providing the opportunity to recognize the many talents and advantages of being neurodivergent, while creating more inclusive and equitable cultures that celebrate differences and empower every individual.

• St. Patrick’s Day on March 17: a global celebration of Irish culture and the anniversary of the death of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, in the fifth century. The Irish have observed this day as a religious holiday for over 1,000 years.

• Eid al-Fitr on March 20: a Muslim celebration to mark the end of Ramadan, the holy month of dawn to sunset fasting. This day is celebrated with feasts, gifts, and prayers in honour of God.

• World Down Syndrome Day on March 21: a day to raise public awareness of Down Syndrome and the effective and meaningful inclusion and participation of all people with Down Syndrome in spaces where decisions are being made about matters relating to or affecting their lives. The theme this year is a call on all governments to “Improve Our Support Systems.”

• International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on March 21: declared by the UN, this day remembers the damaging effects of racial discrimination and is a reminder to continue building a world with justice and equality. Raising awareness and gaining support for global action on racism, discrimination, xenophobia, and other intolerances.

• Purple Day/Epilepsy Awareness on March 26: originating in Canada, Purple Day was invented by the incredible Cassidy Megan, a young girl motivated by the struggles she had with epilepsy. Epilepsy is a neurological disorder of the central nervous system, specifically of the brain. It is characterized by the tendency to have recurrent seizures. Epilepsy can affect anyone, anytime, anyplace, and can change lives in a moment.

• Palm Sunday on March 29: the Sunday before Easter Sunday, is the start of Holy Week for Christians, commemorating Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem on a donkey. Its name originates from the palm branches waved by the crowd to greet and honour Jesus Christ as He entered the city.

• Transgender Day of Visibility on March 31: recognizing the struggles, sacrifices and achievements of those who fought, and continue to fight, for gender equity. This day highlights our friends, family, colleagues, and neighbours who contribute to the diversity in Canada, and it encourages us to recognize that transgender and non-binary individuals continue to resist oppression by simply being exactly who they are.

At Karis Disability Services, we recognize that belonging means uplifting every story. We encourage you to take time to recognize the many strengths and talents of neurodivergent individuals and to continue building inclusive, equitable cultures where every person is valued, supported, and empowered to thrive.