Tools and Resources Portal

IDEA’s multidisciplinary teams work with partners to identify, develop, and evaluate knowledge-informed tools and resources. Our tools and resources address the critical needs of organizations in their efforts to be inclusive workplaces. Browse our inventory below and check back regularly as we update our offerings on an ongoing basis. 

Featured Tools and Resources

Man and woman sitting face to face across a table
Report

Hiring persons with disabilities and support needs in public sector organizations: Reflection guide on staffing practices

The staffing processes and structures of public sector organizations can act as a barrier to hiring persons with disabilities, particularly those with more support needs. Hiring persons with disabilities who have more support needs raises questions about organizational rules and standards, and the
A laptop positioned in between a lamp, mug, and a cactus
Microlearning

ADHD and career success: Barriers and facilitators

This micro-learning resource was developed for employers, managers, and other workplace stakeholders to provide a general understanding of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) experiences that can be used to support inclusion efforts. A brief background on barriers to career success that
student with a disability working with at a computer with a peer
Report

Postsecondary graduates with disabilities: Transition to the labour market, employment characteristics, and student debt

Transitioning from postsecondary education to employment is challenging for many graduates, but those with disabilities often face additional barriers. These barriers can limit access to fair and inclusive jobs, negatively affecting full participation in the workforce. There has been little research
a black woman stands at a whiteboard giving a lesson
Microlearning

Improving workplace disability inclusion through EDIA training

This micro-learning can be used to support workplace stakeholders interested in fostering disability inclusion for employment. It presents a curated list of equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility (EDIA) knowledge/training resources. The micro-learning is tailored for industry use and

Search Tools and Resources

Showing 1 to 12 of 43 results
Tax credit
Report

The Disability Tax Credit program: A review of the literature and key informant interviews

The Disability Tax Credit (DTC) is an integral part of Canadian income benefits for persons with disabilities that is intended to address the income insecurity and poverty often associated with having a disability. This report reviews and critiques the DTC program and other disability benefits
Skills and Employment Supports for Persons with Learning Disabilities cover page
Report

Skills and employment supports for persons with learning disabilities

Addressing the employment gap between persons with learning disabilities and those without disabilities is crucial to realizing the individual, organizational and societal benefits of inclusion. In this report, best and promising practices for supporting persons with learning disabilities aged 15
You Can't Spell Inclusion without a "D"
Podcast

You Can’t Spell Inclusion Without a D - Episode 8

It’s called the Inclusive Design for Employment Access (IDEA) initiative. This new, six-year research initiative — being done with $9 million in federal funding — is taking a new, different approach to disability and employment research. One that has the potential to change the conversation about
You Can't Spell Inclusion without a "D"
Podcast

The IDEA Initiative — A year one update

In our Season 5 opener, the two guests who were with us on our 2023 season opener, are back to give us an update on year one of the Inclusive Design for Employment Access initiative, or IDEA for short. A quick recap: IDEA is a six-year research project being done with $9 million of federal funding
Workers at a job site
Report

Addressing knowledge gaps about skills of persons with disabilities: a literature review and key informant interviews

The current understanding of foundational and transferable skills of persons with disabilities is limited, and there is a need to address knowledge gaps. Building on research from the Skills for Success program, this report reviews existing literature and describes results from key informant
silhouettes of heads in profile
Report

Culture change towards accessibility and inclusion of persons with disabilities

Culture, broadly defined as a collection of attitudes, values, and behaviours, plays a critical role in shaping how societies interact with and support persons with disabilities. Despite its importance, there has been limited research on cultural factors influencing accessibility and inclusion
Strategy
Report

DWC strategy: moving forward together

DWC was founded in 2017 by the Centre for Research on Work Disability Policy (CRWDP, which was the pre-cursor to IDEA), the Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work (CCRW), Inclusion Newfoundland (InclusionNL) and the Ontario Network of Injured Workers’ Groups (ONIWG) to support the development
A Framework for Developing Employer’s Disability Confidence
Infographic

A framework for developing employer’s disability confidence

Many employers lack disability confidence, or the know-how to include persons with disabilities in the workforce, which can lead to stigma and discrimination of persons with disabilities. This infographic from Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital describes a research project that
Accessibility Awareness Toolkit – Increasing Accessible Employment in the ICT Sector
Report

Accessibility awareness toolkit – increasing accessible employment in the ICT sector

This toolkit is part of the resources developed by March of Dimes Canada's EnAbling Change project, funded by the Government of Ontario. It includes background information on the AODA, information related to Employment Standard compliance requirements, myths and facts, case studies, tips, techniques
2. Engaging Workers with Disabilities in the Financial Sector: A Resource for Organizational Leadership and Management
Report

Engaging workers with disabilities in the financial sector: a resource for organizational leadership and management

This resource provides practical guidance on how to foster engagement among workers with disabilities employed in the Canadian financial sector. It is intended for senior leaders, managers and human resource professionals working in the financial sector to inform the design and administration of
Employers’ Toolkit: Making Ontario Workplaces Accessible to People with Disabilities, 2nd Edition
Workplace tool

Employers’ toolkit – making Ontario workplaces accessible to people with disabilities 2nd edition

This toolkit from the Conference Board of Canada provides practical advice to employers of all sizes about simple changes they can implement to make their workplaces more inclusive for persons with disabilities. It also offers suggestions for putting the Employment Standard, as set out under the
ASC Employment Standard
Workplace tool

Accessibility Standards Canada employment standard

The Accessibility Standards Canada Employment Standard sets out the essential requirements that organizations must adopt to create inclusive and accessible employment systems. It offers clear guidance on the roles, policies, and practices needed to support workers with disabilities and promote