Advocacy, Influence, Engagement

ODEN consults with provincial and federal governments on policy and funding issues that impact Employment Service Providers’ ability to help people who have a disability get jobs. We also identify and advocate on issues where gaps in service exist. 

An infographic illustrating ODEN's strategic priorities for the next three years, 2025 to 2028.

Text version of infographic

Our Strategic Priorities 2025–2028

Priority #1: Advocacy, Influence and Engagement

As a thought leader in inclusive employment, ODEN will:

  • Amplify the voices of people who have a disability and our members
  • Influence sector change
  • Address barriers to employment
  • Promote inclusive, sustainable employment practices and policies

Priority #2: Service Excellence

ODEN will enhance its offerings through innovation and technology to:

  • Maintain sector leadership
  • Expand training
  • Advance knowledge transfer

Priority #3: Organizational Health and Excellence

ODEN will strengthen its internal capacity and sustainability, through:

  • Strong leadership
  • Financial stability
  • Engaged membership

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Download Strategic Priorities detailed PDF

In June 2024, Community Living Ontario and the Ontario Disability Employment Network (ODEN) published Tangled in Red Tape, a report showing the extent to which Ontario’s Employment Services Transformation has been impacted by underfunding and overwhelming administrative burdens.

Read the news release about the report

 

Coming soon — the follow-up Still Tangled report

Representatives from the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development joined ODEN at our 2024 Rethinking Disability Conference. They spent a morning listening and engaging with delegates to collect recommendations and strategies for improving Integrated Employment Services. 

Employment Programs for Disabled Job-Seekers Shutter After Ford Government Changes

February 19, 2025

ODEN’s perspective was included in this community journalism investigative feature that was published on TheTrillium.ca and on 14 other Village Media community news sites around Ontario.

In May 2025, ODEN hosted the first Member’s Collective, on Zoom.

This meet-up is a new biannual opportunity to gather informally with ODEN members from across Ontario and “talk shop.”

The inaugural Member’s Collective was a small, intimate gathering of a dozen members from around Ontario. It made for a dynamic, interactive 45-minute session that gave everyone a chance to participate in the conversation. It was an opportunity to: