IDEA 4DY Symposium 2026
Inclusion is the future of work
October 26 - 27, 2026
Online and in-person in Toronto, Ontario
Inclusion is the future of work: Moving from reactive to proactive workplace systems
📅 October 26th and 27th, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
📍 Hybrid: Online and in-person in Toronto, Ontario
IDEA 4DY and partners are gathering for our second annual symposium on October 26 and 27, 2026. This year’s theme is “moving from reactive to proactive workplace systems." Symposium sessions will:
- showcase the benefits of inclusive design for employers and persons with disabilities,
- share innovations and promising practices developed by IDEA participants and partners that advance workplace inclusion and accessibility, and
- explore strategies to support the uptake of solutions.
Get ready to engage with researchers, employers, labour representatives, service providers, policymakers and community organizations to discuss practical and innovative approaches to designing accessible and inclusive workplaces. Attendees will gain valuable insights and explore solutions that can be implemented in their own workplaces.
Please note that in-person capacity is limited.
Accessibility
We aim to ensure that our events are welcoming and accessible to all attendees. At the event, we will have CART, ASL, and French-English/English-French interpretation services. We will also proactively address any additional accessibility needs.
More Information
For more information, or if you have questions about the registration process, contact info@vraie-idea.ca.
The symposium will feature:
Inspiring keynote presentations from trailblazers in the field
Fireside chats with leading practitioners
Interactive workshops offering hands-on learning and practical insights
Lightning talks showcasing the latest innovations and emerging ideas
Conference Program
Coming soon.
Hear from leaders and youth in the disability inclusion space
Anne Kresta, President & Executive Director, Level It Up
Anne Kresta, President & Executive Director, Level It Up
Peter Field, Research Associate, IDEA; Associate, IDEA-STEM
Peter Field, Research Associate, IDEA; Associate, IDEA-STEM
Sharon McCarry, National Inclusion Lead, Autism Research, Autism Alliance of Canada
Sharon McCarry, National Inclusion Lead, Autism Research, Autism Alliance of Canada
Bilan Arte, National Representative Human Rights Department, Canadian Labour Congress (CLC)
Bilan Arte, National Representative Human Rights Department, Canadian Labour Congress (CLC)
Emile Tompa, IDEA Executive Director; Senior Scientist, Institute for Work & Health
Emile Tompa, IDEA Executive Director; Senior Scientist, Institute for Work & Health
Jeff Willbond, Chief Accessibility Officer, March of Dimes Canada
Jeff Willbond, Chief Accessibility Officer, March of Dimes Canada
Valerie Vanderwyk, Executive Director, Indigenous Skills, Employment, Apprenticeship and Development (ISEAD)
Valerie Vanderwyk, Executive Director, Indigenous Skills, Employment, Apprenticeship and Development (ISEAD)
Raphael Gomez, IDEA 4DY Co-Director; Director, CIRHR, University of Toronto
Raphael Gomez, IDEA 4DY Co-Director; Director, CIRHR, University of Toronto
Tammy Morris, Accessibility and Neuroinclusion Leader, EY Canada
Tammy Morris, Accessibility and Neuroinclusion Leader, EY Canada
Joel Cummings, Toro Aluminum, Workplace Accommodation Specialist
Joel Cummings, Toro Aluminum, Workplace Accommodation Specialist
W. Francis Fung, Engagement Lead, IDEA and Senior Manager, Skills Development and Employment, March of Dimes Canada
W. Francis Fung, Engagement Lead, IDEA and Senior Manager, Skills Development and Employment, March of Dimes Canada
Krys Munnings, Senior Engagement & Partnership Officer, IDEA 4DY
Krys Munnings, Senior Engagement & Partnership Officer, IDEA 4DY
Speaker bios
Coming soon.
Our partners
Youth Employment Services
Youth Employment Services
Inclusion Canada
Inclusion Canada
March of Dimes
March of Dimes
Ready, Willing & Able
Ready, Willing & Able
Autism Alliance of Canada
Autism Alliance of Canada
Indigenous Skills Employment Apprenticeship and Development (ISEAD)
Indigenous Skills Employment Apprenticeship and Development (ISEAD)
Canadian Labour Congress
Canadian Labour Congress
EY
EY
Toro Aluminum Group of Companies
Toro Aluminum Group of Companies