3-Part Series Introducing the Inclusive Design for Employment Access (IDEA) Project.

3-Part Series Introducing the Inclusive Design Employment Access (IDEA) project 

September 23, 2025 - 12:00pm ET

Inclusive Design for Employment Access (IDEA) is helping to build employer capacity for inclusive and accessible employment opportunities for people who have disabilities through evidence-informed policy and practice. Through co-design with people who have disabilities and other key stakeholders, IDEA develops and identifies evidence-informed tools and resources that advance workplace capacity for recruitment, hiring, onboarding, retention, mentorship, and promotion of people who have disabilities across the full range of employment opportunities.

IDEA is a Social Innovation Laboratory based at McMaster University and the Institute for Work & Health and has five incubator hubs that focus on developing knowledge-to-practice solutions in different areas relevant to inclusive employment and disability confidence. Hub 2 focuses on Employment Support Systems, and identifies, evaluates and shares the processes and strategies that best help employers and other workplace parties support persons with disabilities.

Our speakers for this interactive Lunch and Learn series will be:

In partnership with the Ontario Disability Employment Network, we are looking forward to hosting three “lunch-and-learn” sessions for Employment Service Providers who work with job seekers who have disabilities and employers seeking to hire people who have disabilities.

What You'll Gain from Our 3-part Lunch and Learn Series: 

• Comprehensive Overview: Understand the purpose, approach and signature methodology of the Inclusive Design for Employment Access (IDEA) Social Innovation Lab, including a brief description of the work being conducted by the employment support system hub.
•  Practical Support: How can Inclusive Design for Employment Access (IDEA) support you? Existing and projected tools and resources that will result from our current projects which will provide you with evidence-based strategies to advance workplace capacity for people who have disabilities and those that support all stages of the employment process.
•  Opportunities for Service Provider Engagement: We want to hear from you! During these sessions, connect with other like-minded professionals and organizations and learn about ongoing opportunities for your involvement in IDEA initiatives. We will consider opportunities for ongoing collaborations and learn about some of the exciting work you are already doing.

Don’t miss the chance to connect in an accessible and engaging way to learn how you can include research and evidence driven resources in your practice to create inclusive workplaces.

ASL Interpretation will be provided.