Mayor’s White Hat winner champions accessibility in Calgary
Posted May 26, 2026 6:25 pm.
Calgary is marking National AccessAbility Week by celebrating the people pushing the city toward a more inclusive future, including a Calgary Sports and Entertainment (CSEC) usher whose advocacy has earned him one of the city’s top hospitality honours.
Dan Pederson thinks about accessibility every day.
Working as an usher with CSEC and navigating the city using a wheelchair, he says Calgary has made progress but still has work to do to ensure public spaces are accessible for everyone. He encourages residents to report barriers when they see them.
“The only way we can actually make this city accessible is by working together,” he says.
That conversation now extends to Calgary’s future entertainment venues, including Scotia Place, the Flames’ new arena now under construction, where Pederson hopes to continue working once it opens.
Earlier this month, Pederson received his first Mayor’s White Hat Award, recognizing excellence in Calgary’s tourism and hospitality industry.
“It was incredibly validating,” he said. “It’s nice to know that all the years of making the effort and trying to make an impact, has made an impact.”
Mayor Jeromy Farkas said Pederson embodies the spirit of National AccessAbility Week.
“He’s been spending years and years and years building a more accessible Calgary, one where anybody and everybody can succeed, so, hats off to Dan,” Farkas said.
Pederson plans to continue his advocacy by launching a podcast focused on inclusivity.
“I’m just excited to see what the future holds,” he says.
National AccessAbility Week runs from May 31 to June 6.
