Reach: The National Forum for Disabled Entrepreneurship
What is Reach?
Each year Canada celebrates National AccessAbility Week beginning from the last Sunday in May. During this time our country highlights the unique qualities of persons with disabilities and the nationwide efforts to improve accessibility and inclusion for all Canadians.
In our mission to celebrate entrepreneurs and business owners with disabilities IWSCC invites business owners, entrepreneurs, corporate supporters, members of government, advocates and allies to celebrate Disabled-Owned businesses and the entrepreneurs that succeed not in spite of, but because of their lived experiences.
Reach is Opportunity. The opportunity for investment, for innovation, and for inclusion. Reach is access to higher heights, to greater potential, and to new possibilities.
Reach is Understanding. To reach out is to listen, and to learn. To ask questions. To hear new voices and to gain new insights. Reach is also to teach, to share experiences, and to be heard.
Reach is Community. To connect with others. To accomplish more together than apart. An equal opportunity to grow thriving businesses and supply chains together.
When & Where?
The 2025 Reach Forum has now passed. Watch the official recording below, or scroll down to learn about our incredible speakers and partners!
Date & Time: The 2025 Reach Forum occured on Wednesday, May 28 from 1 pm to 3 pm Eastern Time.
Location: This event was virtual, hosted on Zoom.
Accessibility at this Event: The 2025 Reach Forum featured live-generated Closed Captions and ASL interpretation for spoken English supplied by Maple Communications, an IWSCC Certified Business.
Agenda (ET)
The Agenda for the 2025 Reach Forum is still being planned! Check back soon or follow IWSCC for updates.
1:00 : Words of Welcome from IWSCC
1:05 : Keynote Speaker
Maayan Ziv is an accomplished entrepreneur, acclaimed photographer, and passionate disability activist. She is the founder and CEO of AccessNow, an award-winning tech company that has revolutionized how people share and access information about accessibility on a global scale. Under her leadership, AccessNow has become a driving force for change, influencing industries ranging from technology and infrastructure to public policy and media by highlighting the importance of accessibility. As chair of the Accessible Travel Journey Technical Committee for Accessibility Standards Canada, Maayan plays a key role in shaping national accessibility standards on transit and travel.
In recognition of her contributions, Maayan was awarded the Meritorious Service Cross (MSC) by the Governor General of Canada. Globally recognized as a thought leader and advocate for disability rights, Maayan has earned numerous accolades, including being named one of MIT Tech Review’s Top 35 Innovators and Canada’s Top 40 Under 40.
1:25 : IWSCC Community Speakers
Get to know some of the IWSCC Community’s most passionate entrepreneurs and advocates with talks straight from our Certified Suppliers.
Jenine Lillian
Jenine Lillian (Jenine, they/them) is an #ActuallyAutistic neurodiversity consultant and educator, artist, writer, and librarian. For three decades, Jenine has taught information literacy and professional development in the United States and Canada. After receiving a very late-in-life diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Dyslexia, Jenine started their neurodiversity consultancy to raise awareness, reduce stigma and increase inclusion for neurodiversity and other invisible disabilities. Jenine is proud to be a certified supplier through the Inclusive Workplace and Supply Council of Canada. Connect and collaborate with Jenine by emailing info@jeninelillian.com
Jenine lives in the West Kootenays, BC, Canada where they can be found making art, talking with folks on sidewalks, birdwatching, building community through volunteering, and practicing self-care. You can connect with Jenine at info@jeninelillian.com and explore their website at www.jeninelillian.com.
Michelle AuCoin
Michelle AuCoin is the Founder and President of LearnAbility (since 2005). Michelle and her team have taught thousands of students for decades, specializing in Learning Disabilities. A 30 year veteran of education, Michelle completed her Bachelor of Arts in Communication and has a Master’s in Special Education. Michelle is the 2022 Winner of the Businessperson of the Year Award for the Cape Breton Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Next Gen Vital Employer Excellence Award in 2021, the CB Chamber of Commerce Professional Services award in 2013, and the Businesswoman award for ECBC, 2012. Michelle previously worked on multiple initiatives with the Learning Disabilities Association of Canada, including being a contributor on the National manual: A Roadmap on LD for Employers. Michelle’s business focuses on supporting students with Learning Disabilities and other barriers to accessible education. She has always brought a unique and compassionate perspective to her practice as a woman who learned to overcome barriers due to her own Disability – Epilepsy – which she was diagnosed with over 40 years ago. Michelle continues to run a hybrid education centre based in Cape Breton and offers tutoring, refresher courses, upgrading and professional development services to students, adults, and organizations. Her guiding principle is tailoring learning to the needs of every individual using evidence-based education and employment strategies.
2:05 : Resource Partner Showcase
IWSCC is just one part of a national network of organizations working in support of Disabled-Owned businesses. We’re proud to welcome our allies who provide resources for entrepreneurs and employers, and contribute to an accessible Canadian Marketplace.
Community Futures BC
Community Futures is a federal government program mandated to deliver business development services in rural and remote non-metropolitan communities. The Community Futures program was established in Canada 1985 and Community Futures British Columbia (CFBC) opened in Mission, BC, in 1992.
CFBC is proud to offer programs and services for those who traditionally experience barriers to self-employment. Access tools, resources and training designed to give you specialized support to help you become an entrepreneur and thrive in business for years to come.
Ready Willing & Able
Ready, Willing and Able (RWA) is a national partnership of Inclusion Canada (formerly the Canadian Association for Community Living), Autism Alliance of Canada (formerly Canadian Autism Spectrum Disorders Alliance (CASDA)), and their member organizations. Funded by the Government of Canada, RWA is designed to increase the labour force participation of people with an intellectual disability or on the autism spectrum.
2:30 : The 2025 Reach Awards
For the first time ever, join us as we celebrate members of the IWSCC Community and beyond who share our vision of an accessible and equitable Canadian economy with room for success for all who seek it.
2:50 : IWSCC Announcements & Closing Remarks
Before we say goodbye, IWSCC has a few more plans we’re excited to share in our mission to support Canadian Disabled-Owned businesses.
The Reach Awards
Alongside our vision of a space for Disabled-Owned businesses and their supporters to share experience and resources is a desire to celebrate the success of Disabled-Owned businesses in Canada.
This year, for the first time IWSCC will recognize members of the Disabled-Owned business community who go above and beyond, help to reduce stigma, and share our vision of an inclusive and accessible economy for all with three awards nominated by our community.
This year’s awards are supplied by an IWSCC Certified Business, Crow Works Engraving & Signs.
Certified Supplier of the Year
Awarded to an IWSCC Certified Disabled-Owned business, the Reach Forum Business of the Year Award recognizes an organization that, led by lived experience, has achieved success for themselves, shared that success with their community, and contributed to the positive perception of Disabled-Owned businesses in Canada.
2025 Nominees
Corporate Member
of the Year
Awarded to an IWSCC Corporate Member, the Reach Forum Purchaser of the Year recognizes an organization in our community that has gone beyond expectations by diversifying their supply chains, creating opportunities outside of purchasing, and inspiring their peers to work with Disabled-Owned businesses.
2025 Nominees
Community Impact Award
Awarded to a fellow supporter of Canadian Disabled-Owned businesses, the Reach Forum Community Impact Award is given to either an individual or an organization who has made great impact on the perception, the inclusion, and the future of opportunity in entrepreneurship for Canadians with disabilities.
2025 Nominees
Your 2025 Nominees
The Community Impact Award
WINNER: Jonathan Marriott
Dawn Campbell
Jordann Hunsperger
Corporate Member of the Year
WINNER: The City of Toronto
The City of Brampton
Canada Post
Certified Supplier of the Year
Reach's Supporters
As a not-for-profit organization, IWSCC accomplishes its mission thanks to the hard work of our team and the support of our community. Want to learn how you can support the IWSCC and the Reach Forum? Reach out any time at info@iwscc.ca
Past Forums
Watch past Reach Forums and get to know even more Disabled-Owned businesses and their supporters across Canada.