31st Annual National Supported Employment Conference
31st Annual National Supported Employment Conference
From Insight to Action: Driving Equity in Employment
Hundreds of people gathered in Ottawa from June 9 – 11 for the 31st Annual National Supported Employment Conference by CASE in partnership with CCRW and ODEN.
The annual conference is a time to connect, absorb new insights, and meet peers from other regions across the country. Over three days, attendees participated in a diverse and rich selection of sessions and activities with more than 70 speakers.
Image on the right: Art on the cover of the welcome card by Rita Winkler.
Photo on the left: Conference attendees listen to a message from Stephanie Cadieux, Canada’s Chief Accessibility Officer.
Insights from distinguished speakers
Special guest Stephanie Cadieux, Canada’s Chief Accessibility Officer, reminded us at the opening ceremony that “the time for taking action is now. The sooner everyone is able to give to their fullest, the sooner we’ll achieve our goal of a barrier-free Canada.”
Opening keynote Dr. Matthew Chow, Chief Mental Health Officer with TELUS Health, emphasized that Canadian “sovereignty is also about values” and that “fighting the good fight for accommodations and inclusive employment is fighting for Canada.” With Canada’s aging workforce, our economy must focus on productivity outcomes rather than on where/when/how people work.
“Inclusive employment is now an economic imperative.”
Dr. Matthew Chow
Our second keynote joined us at the closing ceremony, the Honourable Carla Qualtrough, one of Canada’s most influential leaders in advancing accessibility and inclusion.
She discussed how the duty to accommodate, while essential, has focused the conversation on compliance instead of potential. Disability inclusion must be the objective from the start to “unlock participation at scale” and to “put the person in the policy.”
“It’s about creating outcomes, not just removing barriers.”
The Honourable Carla Qualtrough
Celebrating inclusion leaders with CASE Awards
On Wednesday evening, we celebrated award-winning leaders in supported employment and disability inclusion in Canada. The CASE Awards promote employment inclusion of persons experiencing disability, the essential work of the supported employment sector, and, most importantly, the people, the organizations, and the employers who make it happen.
Mark Wafer Award for Business Excellence
Jeff Foster and The Fredericton Intercultural Centre
Dedicated to welcoming all people, the Fredericton Intercultural Centre recognizes that true inclusion extends beyond programming. Employees who experience disability represent a meaningful portion of their small workforce.
As CEO, Jeff Foster uses the Centre’s unique position at the intersection of community, culture, and commerce to demonstrate by example that inclusive hiring is achievable, sustainable, and beneficial.
Photo on the left: Garth Johnson (left) and Jeff Foster (right).
Phillip Emmerson Award for Employment Excellence
Scott MacLellan
After years of employment barriers, Scott secured work with the federal public service and quickly moved up in communications in the Deputy Minister’s Office. Last year, his contributions to the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility Committee were recognized with an award.
Through advocacy, writing, and public speaking, Scott shares his lived experience to help employers, policymakers, and others better understand the barriers and facilitators of workforce inclusion.
Photo on the left: Phillip Emmerson (left) and Scott MacLellan (right).
Wiltshire Award of Excellence in Supported Employment
Rhonda Zasitko
Rhonda Zasitko has dedicated 26-plus years to championing expanded services, modernized supports, and best practices. As Executive Director of Southwest Employment Services (SES), she ensures quality through strong staff development.
A respected voice, Rhonda helped set the standard for high quality supported employment in the region. Through her leadership, SES is trusted by employers who now recognize the value of inclusive hiring.
Photo on the left: Sean Wiltshire (left) and Rhonda Zasitko (right).
CASE members-only session
About fifty CASE members took part in an interactive session to reflect on their personal story and how it can help them confidently talk about their organization’s impact. Participants then practiced their pitches through conversations, connecting in the process.
Entrepreneurs Marketplace
Attendees always look forward to the Entrepreneurs Marketplace to meet the skilled creators and to peruse their products.
Photo on the right: Rita Winkler (right) with her art at the Entrepreneurs Marketplace.
“You are changing the world.”
One of the most knowledgeable champions of supported employment and workplace diversity and inclusion, Sean Wiltshire, held the room with his descriptions of the many women he has worked with over the years: the Strategists, the Protectors, and the Truthtellers.
“Leadership is about being faithful to dignity, inclusion, and to the system, even when it’s inconvenient. Women have been quietly leading in the field for decades.
The most powerful lesson in systems change I have ever learned. It’s slow, it’s relational. No big victory laps. No applause. Dignity is not theoretical, it has a face, a story.”
Thanks to our sponsors
Major Partner
WCG Services
Supporting Partners
Asign — Azrieli Foundation — Tourism HR Canada — Therap Canada — Food Processing Skills Canada — ImSET — CARF Canada — SkillingUp by March of Dimes Canada — Mentorbility Canada — Partners in Employment — Alto — CASE National AccessAbility Week Project
Next year, we’re heading to the most easterly Canadian city!
We’ve returned home invigorated by new ideas we’re excited to implement and thoughtful learnings we will absorb over time. We’re always so deeply inspired by the passion of our supported employment community and your commitment to the people, employers, and organizations you work with every day, even under sometimes stressful conditions.
We’re already looking forward to next year’s annual national supported employment conference in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. Get a feel for this beautiful and welcoming part of our country with this video by Destination St. John’s on YouTube.
Until next year!
Photo on the left: View of St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. Credit: Destination St. John’s