Thunder Bay Business Summit on Inclusive Workplaces and Accessibility

Discover how disability inclusion strengthens recruitment, retention, innovation, and business growth at this leadership summit. Across Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario, businesses and organizations are exploring new ways to recruit and retain top talent. The “persistent and worsening labour shortage in the area” means businesses need to challenge the way they recruit and retain employees. Building workplaces where people can participate fully including people who have a disability, is a powerful way to increase your pool of skilled candidates, retain existing talent and gain a diversity of perspectives and identities. Established research from Deloitte shows that organizations that embrace disability inclusion benefit from stronger productivity, innovation, employee retention, and customer outcomes. Inclusive workplaces not only support business success but also create opportunities for people and communities to thrive. On November 16th, from 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM join business owners, executive leaders, managers, and community leaders from across Northwestern Ontario for breakfast and a morning of learning, connection, and practical strategies. Hosted by the Ontario Corporate Training Centre (OCTC) in collaboration with MentorAbility Ontario and March of Dimes Canada, attendees can expect: • Disability Awareness & Confidence Training (DACT) for Executive Leadership from OCTC along with a certificate of completion. • Knowledge to expand your candidate pool by building disability inclusion into your hiring and recruiting practices by identifying myths and biases, recognizing unintended barriers, and strategies to support a culture of inclusion. • Practical tools to advance disability inclusion in your workplace • Learning about the Ontario Corporate Training Centre (OCTC) and its no-cost professional development opportunities for specific sectors. • Mentorship opportunities to help people who have a disability transition into the workforce, through the MentorAbility Canada Project. Whether your organization is beginning its accessibility journey or building on existing efforts, this summit offers an opportunity to connect with others, share ideas, and discover practical approaches that support participation, belonging, and long-term success. Now, more than ever, disability inclusion is a strategic advantage for businesses!