Conference
Awards
CASE Conference Award Celebration
June 9 to 11, 2026
Westin Ottawa | Ottawa, Ontario
Join us at the CASE Conference for the celebration of these CASE awards:
The winners will be announced during the 2026 conference
Wiltshire Award of Excellence in Supported Employment
Photo: Sean Wiltshire with 2025 Wiltshire Award winners, the Prescott Group.
PURPOSE
The CASE – Wiltshire Award of Excellence in Supported Employment recognizes outstanding individuals or agencies who have made significant contributions to the promotion of full citizenship and personal capacity for Canadians who experience disability through the facilitation of increased labour market participation and outcomes. This award is presented annually at the Canadian Association for Supported Employment (CASE) conference.
ELIGIBILITY
The nominee(s) for this award must meet the following requirements:
- High profile or visibility within the community as a role model in the field of Supported Employment, taking “best practices” into account.
- Be an individual or agency involved in the provision of supported employment services. Evidence of work done to increase labour market participation that can be replicated across the country.
- Has demonstrated excellence in minimizing barriers to employment.
- Promotes full inclusion and citizenship through increased labour market participation.
- Has not previously received this award.
NOMINATION PROCESS
The CASE Board will invite nominations for this award in the fall of each year by posting the request on this website, in our newsletter, and through social media channels.
Self-nomination is permitted. Nominations can be submitted to the CASE Board Awards Committee by completing the nomination form (link above) or you can email [email protected]. Nominations can be submitted in English or French.
Mark Wafer Award for Business Excellence
PURPOSE
The CASE – Mark Wafer Award for Business Excellence recognizes outstanding businesses that have made significant contributions to the promotion of full citizenship and personal capacity for persons who experience disability through the facilitation of increased labour market participation and outcomes within Canada. This award is presented annually at the Canadian Association for Supported Employment (CASE) conference.
Nomination Deadline
April 9, 2026
Photo: Garth Johnson with 2025 Mark Wafer Award winner, Kathy Malley.
ELIGIBILITY
The nominee(s) for this award must meet the following requirements:
- Employs persons experiencing disability in meaningful and competitively paid positions.
- Understands the economic value of inclusion for the business, the employee, and the economy at large.
- Leverages their position as a business owner to create jobs with other employers through communication, media, and peer-to-peer discussions.
NOMINATION PROCESS
The CASE Board will invite nominations for this award in the fall of each year by posting the request on this website, in our newsletter, and through social media channels.
Self-nomination is permitted. Nominations can be submitted to the CASE Board Awards Committee by completing the nomination form (link above) or you can email [email protected]. Nominations can be submitted in English or French.
Photo: Phillip Emmerson with 2025 Phillip Emmerson Award winner, Libby Searle.
Phillip Emmerson Award for Employment Excellence
PURPOSE
The CASE – Phillip Emmerson Award for Employment Excellence recognizes an outstanding individual who has made significant contributions to the promotion of full citizenship and personal capacity through employment and innovation in the workplace within Canada. This award is presented annually at the Canadian Association for Supported Employment (CASE) conference.
Nomination Deadline
April 6, 2026
ELIGIBILITY
The nominee(s) for this award must meet the following requirements:
- Their experience of disability has impacted their employment journey.
- The place of employment has benefitted from their endeavours.
- Increased labour market participation for persons experiencing disability has extended to other businesses due to their influence.
- Their influence has impacted other areas of the community beyond the labour market.
- Has not previously received this award.
NOMINATION PROCESS
The CASE Board will invite nominations for this award in the fall of each year by posting the request on this website, in our newsletter, and through social media channels.
Self-nomination is permitted. Nominations can be submitted to the CASE Board Awards Committee by completing the nomination form (link above) or you can email [email protected]. Nominations can be submitted in English or French.
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