Canadian Association for Supported Employment

Advancing in the Workplace:

29th Annual CASE Supported Employment Conference
in Partnership with SARC

After months of preparations, the second-floor lobby at the Delta Hotel in downtown Regina buzzed with activity. As the more than three hundred and thirty attendees arrived, the air filled with warm greetings as people reconnected or met for the first time. 

Keynote Speaker

Keynote speaker, Dr. Jessica Dunkley, shared her story of breaking barriers to become the first Deaf Métis physician in Canada (see photo at right). 

Sessions

Neurodiversity and intersectionality were hot session topics this year. The Sinneave Family Foundation outlined their Six Principles for neuroinclusion that were developed with persons with lived experience. 

Dr. Dunkley speaks at a podium. An interpreter is to her left. A screen behind them says "Normalizing Visibility in Medicine."

Presenters from Wilfred Laurier University and Autism Self Advocacy Services described providing university classroom training on workplace inclusion as autistic/non-autistic collaborators. The Autism Resource Centre shared new techniques on creative collaboration to support autistic job seekers with meaningful long-term employment.

A discussion forum heard about a transformational approach to intersectionality and pan-disability inclusion, Spiral Up to Success, by Gateway Association and Multicultural Health Brokers Cooperative. The CCRW session explored how employers can create trauma-informed workplaces and why this is important for persons experiencing disability. 

In addition to many other informative sessions, some timely issues we heard about included:

  • Workplace wellness – a panel discussion on psychological health and safety in the workplace and a session by Ergon Inc. on prioritizing well-being by saying “no” and setting boundaries.
  • Inclusion for persons with intellectual disability – how 4to40 works directly with employers to help them see the value a person with an intellectual disability brings to the workplace and the Canadian Youth Success Strategy presented by ODEN.
  • Self-employment – success stories from Community Futures Saskatchewan and an overview of transitional planning, that could include entrepreneurship, from Inclusion Saskatchewan.

Gala and Closing Ceremony

The vibrant Gala dinner and reception offered attendees an opportunity to mingle with professionals from across the country. Entertainment by Colby Nargang wowed us with his perfect renditions of favourite Elvis and Roy Orbison songs. 

At the closing ceremony, two workers in Regina who experience disability shared their story and put smiles on our faces with their quick humour: Nick Popowich from SaskTel and Shelley Alderson from Farm Credit Canada (FCC).

Photo at right: Colby Nargang sings at the Gala reception.

Singer Colby Nargang sings on stage while conference attendees dance in front of him. A screen in the back has a photo of a group of attendees.

CASE Awards

Congratulations to all nominees and award recipients! 

Wiltshire Award of Excellence in Supported Employment 

Ashlea Larson, Autism Resource Centre in Regina

Mark Wafer Award for Business Excellence 

Anne Ross Day Nursery in Winnipeg

Phillip Emmerson Award for Employment Excellence 

Wanda Deschamps, Principal of Liberty Co

Award Phillip and Wanda 2

Conference Sponsors

A very special thank you to all our sponsors, without whom this conference would not have been possible.

Major Sponsors

FCC   |   CASE Innovation Lab   |   CASE MentorAbility

Supporting Partners

Ability Hub   |   CARF Canada   |   Community Futures Manitoba and Saskatchewan   |   SaskTel

South Saskatchewan Independent Living Centre   |   Project SEARCH   |   Therap Canada   |   WCB Saskatchewan 

2025 CASE Conference

Start thinking about attending the next CASE conference, in partnership with AvenueNB, in June 2025 in Moncton, New Brunswick! Stay tuned for more details in a future newsletter. 

See you next year in Moncton!!