Research
The IWSCC is a community-informed and research-led organization. As part of our mission to support Veteran-Owned and Disabled-Owned businesses in Canada we participate in, and lead, projects that support Veterans and persons with disabilities in their professional endeavors.
Invisible Disabilities in the Workplace:
Barriers to Inclusion
Beyond the typical barriers, people with invisible disabilities deal with barriers that impact their productivity, privacy, happiness, and meaningful participation at work. This research will focus on the hard to quantify barriers that impact the emotional and mental state of employees including barriers that cause or amplify confusion, prolonged sadness, anxiety, and other related emotional states associated with episodic and permanent cognitive and neurodiverse conditions such as anxiety disorders, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), dyslexia, clinical depression, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and other similar conditions. The project also aims to understand how to ensure meaningful participation in the workplace and how the physical environment needs to be designed to ensure that participation.
Accessible Procurement
The Accessible Procurement Research Project (APRP), conducted by Adaptability Canada in collaboration with the Inclusive Workplace and Supply Council of Canada (IWSCC), the Accessibility Institute at Carleton University, and Ernst & Young (EY), explores the systemic barriers preventing people with disabilities and disabled-owned businesses from fully participating in procurement processes. The research, conducted from January 2022 to December 2024, identifies key challenges, organizational resistance, and potential solutions to foster an inclusive procurement environment in Canada.
Webinars
IWSCC hosts learning opportunities guided by diverse educators ready to share their expertise year-round. Catch up on our past webinars with the recordings below, or look into our next live virtual learning event when you visit our calendar.
Navigating Neurodiversity
Transform your understanding of neurodiversity in the workplace through the unique lens of someone who’s lived it. Join neurodivergent consultant and educator Jenine Lillian (they/them) for an engaging session that combines personal experience as a late-diagnosed autistic professional with over 30 years of expertise in education and professional development.
Disability Literacy 101
Mindset’s Disability Literacy 101 seminar challenges assumptions, stereotypes and biases with authentic lived-experiences shared by highly-regarded subject-matter experts representing various disabilities. Wherever you may be in your diversity, equity and inclusion journey, mindset is fashioned to help you move the dial.
A.I. & Automation for Small Businesses
A.I. is the modern technical revolution. In such a rapidly changing field, it can be difficult for a busy entrepreneur to wrap their head around the wealth of options, solutions, and tools hitting the marketplace. What can A.I. do for small businesses? WACADs Group is here to help you get started.
How Inclusive Entrepreneurship Drives Innovation
Inclusive Entrepreneurship is more than just a social endeavor, it’s good business sense! Don’t take it from us though. Our guest educator, accessibility advocate, and IWSCC Certified Business Owner Jolene MacDonald is here to share experience, expertise, and advice from Accessibrand.
Community Partners
IWSCC is just one part of a national community of allies providing networking, learning, funding, and other resources for Veterans and persons with disabilities. Learn about our trusted allies below, and find your next supporter in our network of Community Partners.
Boundless Accelerator
Boundless Accelerator™ is an award-winning accelerator that equips entrepreneurs with expert mentorship, resources, education, and connections to help them build innovative, sustainable ventures. We offer unique programs and initiatives to support businesses from startup to scaleup for a strong, diverse, inclusive, sustainable economy. Based in Guelph, Ontario, we are in the heart of the Toronto-Waterloo Innovation Corridor, striving to create a future where entrepreneurship knows no limits.
Community Futures BC: Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program
Community Futures is a federal government program delivering business development services in rural and remote Canadian communities. Their British Colombia offices (CFBC) provide Accessible Entrepreneurship services in both rural and metropolitan BC.
Their Entrepreneurs with Disabilities program offers assistance for entrepreneurs with a disability or ongoing health issue to help build and develop their business. Services include assistance developing a business plan, training, business coaching, and access to funding opportunities.
Ready, Willing and Able
Ready, Willing and Able (RWA) is a national initiative by Inclusion Canada and the Autism Alliance of Canada, funded by the Government of Canada. It aims to increase employment for people with an intellectual disability or autism. RWA partners with employers to generate job opportunities and works with over 250+ supported employment agency partners to help job seekers succeed in the workplace. RWA also supports post-secondary students and entrepreneurs with an intellectual disability or autism, and runs The Inclusive Workplace, an online resource hub for inclusive employment.