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Inclusion Matters
August 2026
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A Place to Call Home: Inclusion Canada Calls for Change
People with intellectual disabilities have the right to live in their communities... but Canada’s housing system isn’t making that possible.
Inclusion Canada recently submitted feedback to the National Housing Council. The Council's independent review panels investigate systemic housing issues in Canada and deliver recommendations to the federal housing minister, who must respond within 120 days.
This is an important opportunity to make sure the housing needs and rights of people with intellectual disabilities are part of the national conversation.
Our submission brings those voices and priorities forward and calls for a housing system that works for everyone.
Inclusion Canada's submission calls out a gap: the lack of inclusive, deeply affordable, accessible housing for people with intellectual disabilities. We outline our vision for housing in Canada, the system-wide gaps that exist today, and what government action is needed to advance the right to live in community.
Read Inclusion Canada’s submission and learn more about our vision for inclusive housing in Canada.
Read it here > English
Read it here > French
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"This whole process is so demoralizing and dehumanizing. You were my last call before I gave up trying."
For many people, they have nowhere to go for support in accessing disability benefits that they might be eligible for.
Our Navigators can help.
If you or someone you know could benefit from our free Barrier-Free Benefits program, visit our Barrier-Free Benefit page to learn more.
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Join us on December 3, 2026, at the Palais des congrès de Gatineau for our 17th Annual Federal Policy Forum on Inclusion, From getting by to getting ahead: Eliminating poverty and building financial stability.
This year's policy forum will explore what it takes to eliminate poverty and build financial stability for people with an intellectual disability and their families. This in-person event will feature a series of panels and interactive question & answer periods. Panels include lived-experience perspectives from people with an intellectual disability and families, as well as research and policy expertise.
Learn more and register today at
https://www.inclusioncanada.ca/page/2026-policy-forum
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Ready, Willing and Able-
Meet Donna
"I knew right away she'd be great with our customers."
That's what Red River Co-op's Front-End Manager said about Donna.
Donna spent years as a cashier at a dollar store, building the skills and warmth that would eventually bring her to Red River Co-op's Southdale store. Through her partnership with Ready, Willing & Able, she found the opportunity that finally matched her skills and potential. And she didn't just meet expectations, she exceeded them.
Fast, accurate, friendly: Donna became one of the most dependable faces at the till. But her biggest impact isn't measured in transactions. It's in the extra shifts she picks up, the coworkers she supports, and the culture of trust she's helped build with her team.
Donna's story is proof: when businesses commit to inclusive hiring, everybody wins.
This is what inclusive employment looks like: real skills, real growth, real belonging.
Ready to build a more inclusive workplace?
Learn more about Ready, Willing, and Able here
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Inclusion Canada in Action
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- On August 20th, Inclusion Canada's Executive Director of Knowledge and Strategy, Jeff Ferguson, participated in the 25th International Congress on Basic Income held in Toronto this year. Jeff joined our Inclusion International colleague Jamie Cooke, Executive Director, on a panel where Jeff presented on what is required to make basic income policy disability-inclusive.
- On August 25th, Inclusion Canada, represented by Shawn Pegg of Community Living Ontario, presented to the Minister of State, Hon. Wayne Long, MP and the Federal Department of Finance's roundtable on the Federal Budget and disability issues. We presented highlights of our budget submission which includes recommendations on program funding renewal for Ready, Willing & Able, adequate funding for the Canada Disability Benefit, and continued funding for Community Inclusion Initiative. Our full budget submission can be found -> here
- Inclusion Canada’s Frank Fagan met with Cape Spear Member of Parliament Tom Osborne to discuss the impacts of the Ready, Willing and Able Program in Newfoundland and Labrador. Fagan is assistant national director of RWA, a national workforce development initiative that has created meaningful employment for people with intellectual disabilities and autism. In Newfoundland and Labrador, the program has resulted in over 300 jobs. RWA is supported by the Government of Canada and we urge it to renew its funding in the upcoming federal budget.
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Inclusion Canada in the News
Our work continued to make headlines in August. Here's where you may have seen us this month:
| | Our Federation - Provincial/Territorial Member Updates | | |
Did you know Inclusion Canada has a federation of 13 provincial/territorial and over 300 local member associations across Canada? In this section, you'll learn more about their work to advance inclusion across the country!
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Inclusion Saskatchewan held a Financial Skills Workshop on August 11 over Zoom. The workshop is a part of the Individual and Collective Advocacy Network (ICAN). The Financial Skills Workshop is a meeting where ICAN members can learn about their personal, social, and financial assets in plain language and develop skills to reach their financial goals. If you're an adult with an intellectual disability and wish to participate in future community Zoom sessions, you can sign up for ICAN on their website using the following link: Inclusion Saskatchewan - Self-Advocacy
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Inclusion Nova Scotia congratulated ten-year-old Muhammed Rayan Parothodukayil (who goes by Rayan) on being named a 2026 Rick Hansen Foundation School Program Difference Maker of the Year. The Rick Hansen Foundation School Program Difference Maker of the Year Awards celebrate and recognize youth between the ages 5-18 years old who are leaders in making a positive impact for inclusion and accessibility for people with disabilities in their school or wider community. Additionally, Rayan’s father, Muhammad, partnered with Inclusion Nova Scotia as a former Student Partner. Rayan and his family continue to be thoughtful, dedicated advocates for accessibility, inclusion, and the rights of people with disabilities.
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Inclusion Saskatchewan welcomed Kelly Block, MP for Carlton Trail–Eagle Creek, to its head office in Saskatoon to learn more about the organization’s work and the inclusion movement across Saskatchewan. The visit also provided an opportunity to highlight Ready, Willing and Able and its role in creating more inclusive employment opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities and autism.
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Inclusion Alberta is hosting its Changing Lives, Changing Communities fundraising events on November 5th in Edmonton and November 17th in Calgary. For more information on how you can participate click -> here
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Inclusion BC is hosting a free virtual session on supported decision making, exploring how we can better support people with disabilities to have choice, voice, and control in their lives. Featuring Yuji Kajiwara of Spectrum Society for Community Living and Angela Clancy of the Family Support Institute, the session will explore Natural Authority, self-determination, and strategies for navigating barriers to supported decision making. Inclusion Canada’s advocacy team will also share practical approaches for families and supporters to respect and promote the rights and autonomy of people with disabilities Register here
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Inclusion New Brunswick are gearing up for their annual golf tournament. The tournament will take place on Wednesday, September 9 at Mactaquac Provincial Park, 1:00 PM. The tournament is hosted by EXIT Realty Advantage Fredericton in support of Inclusion NB. The entry fee is $175 per person (teams of 4). Registration includes a round of golf, golf cart access, a meal and prizes. To register your team or donate, contact Ed Carten at ecarten@nbnet.nb.ca.
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