RDC 2026 Program
The 2026 theme “Collaborate to Innovate” is reflected in our exciting program.
Monday, November 2, 2026
Morning Sessions
| 7:30AM – 8:45AM | |
| Registration Desk Opens & Buffet Breakfast
Location: Grand York Ballroom |
Breakfast sponsor: Windsor Region Employment Network |
| 9:00AM – 9:15AM |
| Welcoming Remarks
CEO and ODEN Board Location: Grand York Ballroom |
| 9:15AM – 10:15AM | |
| Opening Plenary – “Built for This: The Missing Piece to a Team That Sustains and Performs”
Presenter: Andrea D. Carter, Belonging First Location: Grand York Ballroom |
Session sponsor: Collège Boréal  |
| 10:15AM – 10:45AM | |
| Networking Break | Break sponsor: London Regional Employment Services  |
| 10:45AM – 12:00PM | ||
| 1A – From Insight to Action: Building Conditions Your Team Needs to Sustain and Perform | 1B – Tourism Careers: Building Pathways to Opportunity | 1C – Session Coming Soon |
| Presenter: Andrea D. Carter, Belonging First | Presenter: Jasmine Yi, HR Tourism | Presenter: TBD |
| Location: Grand York B | Location: Grand York C | Location: Markham Room |
Afternoon Sessions
| 12:15PM – 1:30PM | |
| Buffet Lunch
Light It Up! for NDEAM Review Location: Grand York Ballroom |
Lunch sponsor: FedCap Canada  |
| 1:30PM – 2:45PM | ||
| 2A – Practical approaches to how AI can empower employees and allow our staff to adapt. | 2B – Session Coming Soon | 2C – Session Coming Soon |
| Presenter: Zachary Rose, Magnet | Presenter: TBD | Presenter: TBD |
| Location: Grand York B | Location: Grand York C | Location: Markham Room |
| 2:45PM – 3:15PM | |
| Networking Break | Break sponsor: London Regional Employment Services |
| 3:15PM – 4:30PM | ||
| 3A – From Design to Practice: Emerging Promising Practices in Integrated Employment Services (IES) | 3B – Building Pathways to Apprenticeship: Expanding Access and Success in the Skilled Trades | 3C – Session Coming Soon |
| Presenter: TBD, WCG Employment Services | Presenter: Lovey Sidhu, Skillplan Rylan Degenhardt, SkillPlan |
Presenter: TBD |
| Location: Grand York B | Location: Grand York C | Location: Markham Room |
| 4:45PM – 6:00PM | |
| Networking Session – Paint Night ! Paint our Province
Led by OCTC |
Paint Night sponsor: TBD |
Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Morning Sessions
Business Stream Schedule | Afternoon Sessions
| 7:30AM – 8:45AM | |
| Registration Desk Opens & Buffet Breakfast
Location: Grand York Ballroom |
Breakfast sponsor: Windsor Region Employment Network |
| 8:00AM – 8:45AM |
| ODEN Annual General Meeting
Location: Grand York Ballroom |
| 9:00AM – 10:15AM | ||
| 4A – Intersectionality and Race Presentation | 4B – Session coming soon | 4C – Session coming soon |
| Presenter: Liza Arnason, ASE Community Foundation | Presenter: TBD | Presenter: TBD |
| Location: Grand York Ball Room | Location: Grand York B | Location: Grand York C |
| 10:15AM – 10:45AM | |
| Networking Break | Break sponsor: London Regional Employment Services |
| 10:45AM – 12:00PM | ||
| Strengthening Job Development through Shared Learning
(Panel) |
5B – Lessons from a Recruitment & Retention Initiative: CAMH Employment Works | 5C – Coming Soon |
| Presenter: TBD | Presenter: John Fernandes, CAMH
Christine Dubois-Cross, CAMH |
Presenter: TBD |
| Location: Grand York Ball Room | Location: Grand York B | Location: Grand York C |
Business Stream Morning Session
| 9:00AM – 10:15AM | |
| Business Stream Morning Session – Part 1
Location: Markham Room |
| 10:15AM – 10:45AM | |
| Networking Break | Break sponsor: London Regional Employment Services |
| 10:45AM – 12:00PM | |
| Business Stream Morning Session – Part 2
Location: Markham Room |
Afternoon Sessions
| 12:00PM – 1:30PM | |
| Buffet Lunch
MentorAbility – Making a Difference One Mentorship at a Time Location: Grand York Ballroom |
Lunch sponsor: FedCap Canada |
| 1:30PM – 2:45PM | |||
| 6A – Coming Soon | 6B – Coming Soon | 6C – Your Brain Biology is Not Fixed | 6D – Coming Soon |
| Presenter: TBD | Presenter: TBD | Presenter: Dr. Greg MacLuckie, Positivity Perspective | Presenter: TBD |
| Location: Grand York Ballroom | Location: Grand York B | Location: Grand York C | Location: Markham Room |
| 2:45PM – 3:15PM | |
| Networking Break | Break sponsor: London Regional Employment Services |
| 3:15PM – 4:30PM |
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| 7A – How AI can help with non-profits and affects the Economy (Final Title Pending) | 7B – A Subtle look at Job Development and the way it was. Where is it now and how do we get what once worked – Back! | 7C – Coming Soon | 7D – Coming Soon |
| Presenter: Dr. Matthew Chow, Telus Canada | Presenter: Mike Bennett, Bennett Edge | Presenter: TBD | Presenter: TBD |
| Location: Grand York Ballroom | Location: Grand York B | Location: Grand York C | Location: Markham Room |
| 5:00PM – 6:15PM | |
| Networking Hour – Hors d’ouevres and music Cocktails (Cash Bar)Location: Grand York B |
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| 6:30PM – 8:30PM | |
| Gala Dinner
Business Champions League Inductees Location: Richmond Ballroom |
|
Wednesday, November 4, 2026
Morning Sessions
| 7:30AM – 8:45AM | |
| Registration Desk Opens & Buffet Breakfast
Location: Grand York Ballroom |
Breakfast sponsor: Windsor Region Employment Network |
| 9:00AM – 10:15AM | ||
| 8A – Coming Soon | 8B – Session to be confirmed | 8C – Coming Soon |
| Presenter: TBD | Presenter: TBD | Presenter: TBD |
| Location: Grand York B | Location: Grand York C | Location: Markham Room |
| 10:15AM – 10:45AM | |
| Networking Break | Break sponsor: London Regional Employment Services |
| 10:45AM – 12:00PM | ||
| 9A – Session Coming Soon | 9B – Session Coming Soon | 9C – Session Coming Soon |
| Presenter: TBD | Presenter: TBD | Presenter: TBD |
| Location: Grand York B | Location: Grand York C | Location: Markham Room |
A
Afternoon Sessions
| 12:00PM – 1:00PM | |
| Buffet Lunch
Location: Richmond Ballroom |
Lunch sponsor: FedCap Canada |
| 1:00PM – 2:15PM | |
| Closing Plenary Session
Location: Grand York Ballroom |
| 2:15PM – 2:30PM | |
| Closing Remarks
Location: Grand York Ballroom |
| 2:30PM – 2:45PM | |
| Surprise Snacks and To-Go Coffees
Location: Grand York Ballroom |
If you are an Employment Service Provider or business in Ontario, the Rethinking Disability Conference provides opportunities for your professional development. Increase capacity and learn new skills you can apply to your service offerings and inclusive-hiring processes. Register Today!
THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR 2026 SPONSORS
Title Sponsor:
Accessibility Sponsor:
Platinum Sponsors:
Silver Sponsors:
Business Stream Sponsor:
Gala Sponsor:
Networking Event Sponsor:
Breakfast Sponsor:
Network Break Sponsor:
Lunch Sponsor:
Keynote Speaker Sponsor:
Lanyard Sponsor:
Exhibitor Alley Sponsored By:
Session Sponsors:
