About Us

The Canadian Business Disability Inclusion Network is a national network of businesses that supports an accessible Canada for all. 

Our mission is to empower organizations to adopt best practices that benefit their businesses, employees, and customers.

Together, we can inspire collaboration on solutions that benefit Canadian businesses, their employees and customers, and the broader economy.

A Latinx (invisibly) disabled woman talking and walking alongside her friend, an Asian disabled genderfluid person wearing compression gloves and driving a lightweight electric mobility scooter.

Our History

The Network was conceived and incubated by the Disability Inclusion Business Council - an advisory Council of senior business leaders to champion and advance disability inclusion in workplaces. Through start-up investments from Manulife, EY and TELUS Health, as well as support from IBM Canada, the Network was launched in 2023.

A professional woman participates in a virtual meeting from her laptop. She is seated at a small round table. Her cellular phone is on the table beside her laptop. 2 million Canadians have a mental health related disability.

Disability  in Canada

Disability is a significant issue in Canada, affecting 8 million people, or 27% of those aged 15 and older. This means 1 in 5 customers have a disability, increasing to more than 1 in 3 for those aged 65 and over.

Over 600,000 Canadians with disabilities are willing to work if minor workplace barriers are removed. However, workforce participation varies, with only 65.1% of Canadians with a disability currently employed compared to 80.1% for those without disabilities. Addressing these barriers is crucial for promoting inclusion and enhancing the economic potential of the country.

Our Team

Our Board of Directors is made up of prominent leaders from business, governmental and non-government organizations across the country. They are united as champions of a barrier-free Canada.