Ontario Disability Employment Network (ODEN)

Calling all Employment Service Providers and employment service professionals around Ontario! It’s that time of year again…our #Disability EmploymentServiceAwards are back! Help us celebrate the champions who are creating more inclusive workplaces in the province. If you as an individual, or your team, is making an impact on disability-inclusive employment… …then apply for or nominate a deserving colleague for one of our Disability Employment Service (DES) Awards! Applications and nominations for ODEN’s 2025 DES Awards are now open (until July 31). Award recipients are announced each November at ODEN’s annual Rethinking Disability Conference. Learn more about the awards, and apply: https://lnkd.in/gYiVHgX3 #EngageTalent #DisabilityInclusion #InclusiveEmployment [Image Description] Image promoting the 2025 Disability Employment Service Awards. The background is a photo of a young employee who has a developmental disability working the cash at what appears to be a sandwich shop. She is handing a receipt to a customer, whose hand and forearm are visible at the left of the photo. Superimposed over the lower left part of the photo there’s a dark purple and dark blue gradient rectangle with stacked large white text that reads, Disability Employment Service Awards. At the right, there’s a superimposed dark purple diamond shape and an orange starburst. Inside the shape large white text says 2025. Underneath this white text reads, Now open — Apply or nominate someone today!

Have you listened to our podcast? Seems like yesterday we were just launching #YouCantSpellinclusionWithoutAd…now here we are starting Season 6 on Tuesday, April 8! Amy Widdows, the Interim CEO of ODEN, joins Dean Askin as the new co-host. Our podcast season runs from April to November. Be sure to tune in regularly this season! We’ve got some great shows, guests and conversations in our Season 6 line up. We’ll be bringing you: –A two-part series on disability inclusion initiatives in two of Canada’s major sectors: tourism and health care –A feature interview with actor Sean Towgood, the creator/producer/writer/star of the comedy series on CBC Gem, “You’re My Hero” –And much more! In fact, we’ll be jumping right into the timely fray of things about DEI with a compelling, engaging two-part season opener series….stay tuned for information about part one (Episode 31), coming next week! While you’re waiting for Season 6 to start, catch some episodes from Seasons 1 to 5 on Podbean: https://lnkd.in/geGjujHG You Can’t Spell Inclusion Without a D is also available on all the major podcast apps. Plus, you can now listen to, download and share episodes right from our website! We’ve added the Podbean player to all our podcast episode posts: https://lnkd.in/gsNbdzX8 #YouCantSpellInclusionWithoutAd #Podcasting #DisabilityInclusion [Image Description] A gradient dark purple and dark blue square graphic promoting Season 6 of You Can’t Spell Inclusion Without a D. There’s an orange band across the top. Black text in the band reads, Season 6 starts April 8! Below the band at the left is the show artwork for the You Can’t Spell Inclusion Without a D podcast in a square box outlined white. To the right, large white text against the gradient purple and blue background reads, Exploring disability inclusion in business, in employment and in our communities, from all the angles. Below the podcast artwork and tagline text there are two head-and-shoulders photos in splash frames. In between the photos, large white text reads, With. The left photo is a woman with brown hair smiling at the camera. Text under the photo identifies her as Amy Widdows. The right photo is a balding man with glasses smiling at the camera. Text under the photo identifies him as Dean Askin. White text centred at the bottom reads, Tune in on Podbean or wherever you find your favourite podcasts.

Two weeks until this #BizConnectLeaderSeries session — have you registered for it yet? Do it here: https://lnkd.in/gxs-r84G –Tuesday, April 8 –1 p.m. ET (1–2 p.m.) –On Zoom –Hosted by ODEN Disability Employment Inclusion Specialist Sarah Birch Featured speaker is Casey Mceuin from Michaels. He is Manager – Inclusion and Diversity. He’ll be talking about: –Michaels and the success of the Makers Like Me inclusive hiring program for people who have a disability ¬–Diversity, inclusion, equity and belonging at Michaels –Workplace culture and accessibility at North America’s largest arts and crafts retail chain –How and when you can support job seekers who have a disability to apply If you’re an Employment Service provider, job seeker or other stakeholder anywhere in Canada who’s interested in connecting with employers hiring people who have a disability, this national event’s an ideal one to attend. We created this series to give businesses an opportunity to inform disability Employment Service Providers across the country about their business, their diversity and inclusion strategy, any current opportunities available within their business and how to apply. #EngageTalent [Image Description] White and gradient purple and blue promotional graphic for the ODEN Biz Connect Leader Series. The name of the series, the name of the featured organization, and the date and time of the event are in large white text against the gradient coloured background. On the right side of the image, there’s a circular photo of Casey McCeuin. To the right of the photo, black text against white identifies him. Underneath the identifier text there’s a red Michaels logo. At the bottom left corner is the ODEN Biz Connect logo. At the bottom right, there is a purple "Register" button. Text at the bottom states, "Closed captioning & ASL provided for this event."

The David C. Onley Award for Leadership in Accessibility is accepting nominations. This award commemorates the legacy of Ontario’s 28th Lieutenant Governor by recognizing Ontarians who have gone above and beyond to improve accessibility for people with disabilities. Nominate a person or organization in your community who has gone above and beyond to improve accessibility for people with disabilities. To learn about eligibility and to submit your nomination, visit: https://lnkd.in/gWHPaZvd Access 2 Accessibility | CCRW | CCRT | Ontario Disability Employment Network (ODEN) | Abilities Centre | Ontario Chamber of Commerce

Have you tuned in to episodes of our #YouCantSpellInclusionWithoutAd podcast? We’ve got a great new (sixth) season lined up! The show line-up this season includes… ….a two-part series on the current state of #Inclusion…both in North America and globally… …and a feature interview with #Canadian actor #SeanTowgood (who has a disability), the creator/writer/producer/star of #YoureMyHero on CBC Gem… …we’ll also be finding out about #PsychologicalSafety and #Belonging in workplaces… …and more. This season, Amy Widdows, the Interim CEO of ODEN, joins Dean Askin as the new co-host of our podcast. Tune in to Amy and Dean, and their insightful conversations with expert guests for Season 6 of #YouCantSpellInclusionWithoutAd. It all starts Tuesday, April 8! [Image Description] A square graphic promoting the start of season six of You Can’t Spell Inclusion Without a D Season. The graphic is gradient purple and dark blue, with an orange band across the top. In the band, large heavy black text reads, Season 6 starts April 8! Below the band, at the left, is the podcast show artwork in a square shape. At the right, white text reads, Exploring disability inclusion in business, in employment and in our communities, from all the angles. In the lower half of the graphic, there are two head-and-shoulders photos of Amy Widdows and Dean Askin. Amy is on the left and Dean is on the right. Their names are in white text under each photo. Along the bottom of the graphic, white text reads, Tune in on Podbean or wherever you find your favourite podcasts.

Thanks to the Port of Sydney for their involvement in Light It Up! For NDEAM since 2021! The Big Fiddle stands outside the cruise ship pavilion at the Port of Sydney, NS on Cape Breton… …and it’ll be illuminated again this year for #LightItUpForNDEAM #LightItUpForDEAM, on Thursday, October 16! Some fun facts about The Big Fiddle, which turned 20 in January: –The world’s largest illuminated fiddle –Stands almost 19 metres (60 feet) tall –Made of solid steel –Designed and built by local artist Cyril Hearn –Weighs eight tons –Unveiled in January 2005 –Celebrates the Celtic and fiddle music heritage of Cape Breton So far The Big Fiddle is one of 40 locations in 26 communities across Canada that’ll be lit… …are you joining in Light It Up! For NDEAM this year? It’s happening 31 Thursdays from today! October 16. Find out more about why and how to get involved now: https://lnkd.in/gyn343ZQ Check out the Light It Up! For NDEAM 2024 highlights video: https://lnkd.in/g7pc4Wb6 Light It Up! For NDEAM is much more than a lighting event…it’s a national movement that sparks continuing conversation about disability inclusion in business, in employment and in our communities! Join the movement now…The earlier the involvement, the more the involvement…the greater the impact! –Use the online submission form (you can submit up to 10 locations at once): https://lnkd.in/gu4P4vV8 –Send an email to mailto:lightitup@odenetwork.com #EngageTalent [Image Description] The image promotes Light It Up! For NDEAM 2025 and highlights a location that’s participating. The event name is in large white type at the top against a dark purple patterned background with light purple ovals. The event date, Thursday, October 16, is in large white type underneath the event title. Below this, the name of the highlighted location is in large black text, inside a white rectangle with a curved end that protrudes into a photo. The location name reads, The Big Fiddle, Port of Sydney, Sydney, NS. To the right is a night-time view of The Big Fiddle lit blue. Underneath the white rectangle the event hashtags #LightItUpForNDEAM, #LightItUpForDEAM and #EngageTalent are in white text. There’s also a photo credit line in small white type that reads, Photo courtesy Port of Sydney. At the bottom, white logos from left to right of ODEN, CASE, MentorAbility, and Jobs Ability Canada run across the patterned purple background.

Join us on March 21, 2025 at 1:00PM EST for an event in recognition of World Down Syndrome Day! ODEN is proud to highlight the Inclusion and Employment Awareness Project, funded by Ontario's Ministry of Education | Éducation. This initiative provides free, accessible resources to help students who have intellectual and developmental disabilities explore employment as a meaningful post-graduation goal. We will be joined by Aaron Waddingham and Sue Robins. Aaron is a proud member of the Vancouver Canucks Hype Team, and a working actor and award-winning co-star of the short film Chicken. Sue Robins is Aaron’s mom, chauffeur and momager. She’s also an author of two books and speaks and writes about health care advocacy. This session will celebrate the contributions of people who have Down syndrome and introduce families, caregivers, educators, and students to the tools and support available to create inclusive employment pathways. Register today: https://lnkd.in/gfWE7xyN #worlddownsyndromeday #youthemployment #disabilityinclusion Canadian Down Syndrome Society Jennifer Crowson

Calling all ODEN members in every corner of Ontario — **save the date** now for this! On May 15, come together with us…and your peers from across Ontario… for the first The Members Collective. We’re hosting this meet-up (on Zoom) that’s a new biannual opportunity to gather informally with ODEN members from across Ontario and “talk shop.” The Member's Collective is a great opportunity to: –Collaborate and share initiatives, and promising practices –Engage with each other in important conversations about what's happening in your organization and region –Connect and start new relationships –Learn from each other –Strengthen existing relationships, and our collective efforts to increase employment opportunities for people who have a disability All this is one of the benefits of being an ODEN member! The Member's Collective is intentionally: –Virtual –Short –Designed to make it easy for you to participate So put a “hold” in your calendar now, and set aside 45 minutes of your morning on May 15 to be part of this meet-up! Watch for more information coming soon. #TheMembersCollective #ConnectCollaborateShareLearn #BuildYourKnowledge [Image Description] Purple graphic about The Members Collective. At the far left there’s a semi-circular photo of people with their backs to the camera. They’re sitting at luncheon tables. They appear to be listening to a luncheon speaker. Some are applauding. Beside the photo stacked white text against the purple background says, Collaborate Connect Share Learn Engage Strengthen. Underneath the text is the ODEN logo in white. At the far right, large black text in an orange rectangle with a curved end reads, The Members Collective. Below the rectangle, white text against purple reads, Thursday, May 15 11–11:45 a.m. ET. At the bottom right, white text reads, Join us on Zoom for this virtual event!

Join us on Zoom for the first #BizConnectLeaderSeries session of 2025 on Tuesday, April 8 at 1 p.m.! If you’re an Employment Service Provider, job seeker or other stakeholder anywhere in Canada who’s interested in connecting with employers hiring people who have a disability, this *national* event’s an ideal one to attend. Register here: https://lnkd.in/gxs-r84G ODEN Disability Employment Inclusion Specialist Sarah Birch is hosting Michaels, with featured speakers Matthew Kingsbury and Casey Mceuin. Matt Kingsbury is an Area Store Manager, the Michaels ABILITY Employee Resource Group Communications Lead and Michaels’s #MakersLikeMe Champion. Casey McEuin is Manager – Inclusion and Diversity for Michaels. They’ll outline: –Michaels and the success of the Makers Like Me inclusive hiring program for people who have a disability ¬–Diversity, inclusion, equity and belonging at Michaels –Workplace culture and accessibility at North America’s largest arts and crafts retail chain –How and when you can support job seekers who have a disability to apply This is an interactive session — you’ll have an opportunity to ask questions! Here’s a bit of information about Michaels so you’re prepped for this ODEN BizConnect: –Founded 1973 –Largest arts and crafts retail chain in North America –A customer-centric organization –Building on the success of the Makers Like Me program, Michaels is expanding hiring across retail locations About this series: The ODEN Biz Connect Leader Series offers a unique platform for businesses to engage with disability Employment Service Providers nationwide. Business leaders share: –Current opportunities and hiring initiatives –The benefits of working at their organizations ¬–Their diversity and inclusion goals –The application process This is your chance to connect directly with HR and hiring managers, and to ask any questions you may have! We’re looking forward to seeing you at this ODEN Biz Connect! https://lnkd.in/gxs-r84G Closed captioning and ASL interpretation is provided for this event. [Image Description] White and gradient purple and blue promotional graphic for the ODEN Biz Connect Leader Series. The name of the series, the name of the featured organization, and the date and time of the event are in large white text against the gradient coloured background. On the right side of the image, are two circular photos stacked vertically. One of Matthew Kingsbury and one of Casey Mceuin. Beside each photo, black text against white identifies them. In between the speaker identifications, there’s a red Michaels logo. At the bottom left corner is the ODEN Biz Connect logo. At the bottom right, there is a purple "Register" button. Text at the bottom states, "Closed captioning & ASL provided for this event."

How does your organization define advocacy? Our definition: Making everyone’s concerns known and constantly working to bring both sides to the table, to find a solution that’s better for everyone involved. (The whole reason we advocate is to increase equitable employment opportunities for Ontario job seekers who have a disability. Advocacy is in line with our vision and mission: https://lnkd.in/g23BgdDF) There’s been a lot of conversation, reaction and concern expressed in recent days since the publication of this article about how the implementation of the Integrated Employment Services System (IESS) in Ontario is affecting Employment Service Providers (ESPs) supporting job seekers who have a disability. If you haven’t read the story yet (it includes ODEN’s perspective), read it here on The Trillium.ca (it also ran on 14 community news sites around Ontario): https://lnkd.in/g-8yUmjR The story rawly shows the challenges of the IESS in Ontario, and that change is still needed. How’s that change going to happen? We believe it’s through continued advocacy as we defined it at the start of this post. Starting in 2023–2024, our advocacy efforts behind the scenes increased greatly in response to the challenges presented by the IESS. Want to know more? We’ve added Advocacy Updates to our monthly newsletter. Find all our newsletters since 2020, here: https://lnkd.in/g-6Vmk-N Subscribe to ODEN News through the form on our Home page, and stay up to date on our advocacy efforts! #Advocacy #EngageTalent #EmploymentTransformation [Image Description] Square graphic shows a photo of a news website page featuring a story headlined Employment Programs for Disabled Job-Seekers Shutter After Ford Government Changes. The image is screened dark blue and takes up two-thirds of the square. The right third is a gradient blue and purple triangle. Large white text superimposed over the photo and the triangle reads, Employment Transformation Advocacy Update. Underneath the word Update there’s a white horizontal rule. There’s a white ODEN logo in the bottom right corner.