Untapped Talent: Building Inclusive Employment Pathways in Communities

Across Canada and globally, millions of people with disabilities remain excluded from employment despite significant workforce shortages in many communities. While equity and inclusion conversations have grown, disability and accessibility are still often missing from discussions about economic participation and community development.

This session explores how communities—whether small towns, suburbs, or cities—can unlock the potential of people with disabilities by designing more inclusive employment ecosystems. Drawing from lived experience as a partially blind entrepreneur and founder of Enabled Talent, this talk shares insights from building accessibility-focused employment solutions and community partnerships.

The session will explore how place, systems, and local networks shape opportunities for people with disabilities. It will highlight how municipalities, employers, educational institutions, and nonprofits can collaborate to create accessible hiring pathways that benefit both communities and employers.

Participants will also learn about emerging initiatives such as the ENABLE Canada Series, which aims to bring communities together to…