Many leading Ontario businesses have seen enhanced business performance through diverse and innovative employment practices that include employees with disabilities. When we encounter such Champions, it is important to recognize them for their efforts.
ODEN has created the Champions League to both recognize these leaders and to create a comradery and collegiality among them, providing support both to each other and to ODEN in its efforts to promote inclusive hiring practices.
These champions are also committed to supporting other businesses that are motivated to engage people with disabilities in their business. They will each share their experiences and journey with any business owner/operator who is interested.
Mark Wafer
Mark Wafer is a disability rights activist. Until recently he was the owner of six highly successful Tim Hortons locations in Toronto. During his 25 years in the business Mark employed over 200 workers with disabilities in all areas of the operation including senior management. At any given time approximately 17% of his workforce identified as having a disability.
Mark is an internationally recognized expert on the economics of inclusion. He is an advisor to governments around the world and is responsible for Canada's national disability employment strategy.
Mark has received many awards and recognition for his work most notably from her majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. He was inducted into the Canadian Disability Hall of Fame in 2014. Mark is also a Motorsports enthusiast, former race car driver and 2008 Canadian historic sports car champion.
Joe Hoffer
Twenty years ago, the law firm of Cohen Highley LLP demonstrated their commitment to include people who have a disability in their workplace. Joe Hoffer’s personal commitment to this initiative is outstanding. He has been instrumental in advocating and championing for inclusion in the workplace.
Cohen Highley has four offices (Kitchener, London, Sarnia and Chatham) across Ontario and offers a broad range of legal services covering corporate-commercial, real estate, wills and estates, administrative and commercial and civil litigation.
Cohen Highley received an Ability First Award in the Large Business Category for demonstrating leadership in accessibility and hiring for ability. Joe Hoffer has also received a Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medal in 2013 for his contribution to inclusive employment and community support.
Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley
The City of Sarnia’s motto is People Serving People and Mayor Mike Bradley believes that this statement should include people who have a disability. Mayor Bradley has long been a long-time supporter of hiring people with a disability and a vocal advocate with his “Mayor’s Challenge” – an opportunity for public and private corporations to step up and hire from the talented but under-utilized pool of employees with a disability.
Steve Sharpe
Steve sits on the Partnership Council on Employment Opportunities for People with Disabilities, which was established in 2014 by the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure to champion the hiring of people with disabilities.
Steve is committed to helping move the employment agenda forward for people who have a disability in any way he can. “This is a vast untapped labour market,” said Sharpe. “It's not benevolent, it's good for business.” Steve arranged for the Ontario Employment Disability Network Executive Director, Joe Dale, and Tim Hortons’ owner and inclusive employer Mark Wafer to be keynote speakers at the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers National Conference to 500 suppliers, wholesalers and retailers, resulting in several hires.
Steve operates his store following the same inclusive philosophy, noting customer service is a priority and that a large part of the community in Campbellford is affected by disability.
Jamie and Scott Burton
Scott and Jamie created a software program that tests the technical skills of applicants as well as skills deficits in other areas such as soft skills. While this type of testing is often used to ‘screen people out’ Jamie and Scott had a unique perspective. They always hire the best person – but if more than one person is qualified they choose the candidate least likely to be hired by another company.
This had led to 6 of Dolphin’s 11 employees being people who have a disability, ranging from being in wheelchairs to neurological conditions. In a high tech world, Dolphin has excelled at adapting their work systems to accommodate employees who have a disability. And they have been recognized for this success, receiving a Canadian innovator of the year award at the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters national forum in Ottawa.
Jamie and Scott partnered with the Making Cents of Abilities Coalition and started an annual Disabilities Mentoring Day. This led to several workplace solutions and hires of people who have a disability.
Sean Callaghan
Sean Callaghan recently retired from Sodexo. When he was at Sodexo he was a leader among his colleagues actively promoting the benefits of hiring individuals who have a disability. He has been hiring people who have a disability for 10 years and currently, 1 in 4 of Sean’s employees have a disclosed disability. Sean has also been directly responsible for the placement and hiring of approximately 20 additional candidates to work within various Sodexo locations across the GTA.
Sean is a very motivated and passionate individual always promoting the inclusion of individuals who have a disability in the workforce.
Terry Vos
Terry Vos has been hiring people who have a disability for over 20 years at Vos’ Independent Grocers. Throughout the years, Terry has hired over 25 people who have a disability in various roles. Terry is a very strong advocate and educator, promoting the hiring of people who have a disability through all facets of his life including his Rotary Club, Community Living Oshawa-Clarington and various community events.
Andrew Bearss
Andrew sits on the Advisory Board for the Ontario Honda Dealers Association and has been hiring people who have a disability since 2009.
Andrew started hiring people who have a disability after being approached by local service agency – LiveWorkPlay. Andrew has hired more than seven employees with intellectual disabilities in various roles at the dealerships including maintenance, detailing, inventory and administrative support roles.
Since 2009, Andrew’s role has grown and he quickly took on the role of Business Champion in his community. You can often find Andrew as a guest speaker or a panelist at disability centred conferences and he continues to discuss the business case for hiring people who have a disability with his business colleagues. Andrew has also received the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award for his advocacy efforts.
Virginia Ludy
Virginia Ludy is the former CEO of the Canadian National Exhibition – one of Ontario’s great annual traditions. Through Virgina’s dedicate the CNE has committed to having 20% of their workforce comprise of people who have a disability by 2020.
The Canadian National Exhibition is committed to providing students who have a disability with the opportunity to have successful paid summer employment and has worked with ODEN and local service agencies to ensure this initiative is successful.
Virginia has become an advocate reaching out to fellow businesses to promote the hiring of people who have a disability including the operators of Exhibition Place, North America Midway Operators and all of the CNE vendors. In 2017, Virginia spoke at the Canadian Association of Festivals and Events national conference about the Business Case for Hiring people who have a disability. Her efforts continue to open doors and positively influence her peers in their decisions to hire people who have a disability.
Virginia’s passion for inclusive employment can be seen by everyone around her and is highlighted in the 2017 Disability Employment Awareness Month video.
Anthony Taza
Anthony is the Membership, Training and Operations Manager at Costco Wholesale Canada. During his 15 year Costco career, Anthony has gained valuable business experience which has made him the leader he is today.
With their commitment to inclusion, Costco began working with local agencies to hire people with intellectual disabilities in each of its stores across Canada. As Assistant Director at the time, Anthony worked closely with local agencies to implement this program and immediately became passionate about it.
Anthony has hired and acted as an on-site natural supporter to several people who have an intellectual disability. As a respected role model and business champion in his community, Anthony pushes the mandate of hiring employees with an intellectual disability and has inspired others to help make this program a success.
Sarah Nishimura
Sarah is a human resources professional who has worked with our member agencies over the last five years. She has been integral in hiring people who have a disability while in her role at Mac-Weld Machining and in her previous role at Home Depot.
Sarah is a champion of equal employment accessibility. She regularly speaks in her local Human Resources Professional Association chapter about hiring people who have a disability; in promotional videos; and she was on our Business Panel about inclusive hiring at this year’s ODEN conference.
Lino Tesolin
Lino is a store manager with Lowe's and has been hiring people who have a disability for over 30 years, in every business where he has worked throughout Southern Ontario. He first started hiring people who have a disability as a store manager at Sobeys and has never looked back.
Lino has created a culture in all of his workplaces in which people who have a disability have the same opportunities to advance throughout the workplace based on performance. He still speaks with other business operators about the benefits of hiring people who have a disability at business meetings; at business engagement events; and with his respective unions.
Matthew Rees
Matthew is the Senior Human Resources Partner for Rockwool Canada. Rockwool started its inclusive hiring initiative in 2017 and Matt spearheaded this initiative. He has embraced hiring people who have a disability and since the rollout in September 2018, he has hired six full-time candidates.
Matthew has helped create a successful onboarding process for Deaf candidates. In a little over a year, they have adapted all training materials into American Sign Language and have forged a partnership with E.C. Drury Provincial School for the Deaf to provide training for graduates. It ensures they have the required skills to succeed in the manufacturing sector.
Matthew continues promoting the hiring of people who have a disability through speaking at many business engagements events. He has involved ODEN at the Human Resources Round Table for the Milton Chamber of Commerce; and is always willing to speak to other businesses when called upon.
Gynette Smith and Chris Riediger
Ginette and Chris have been hiring people who have a disability for the last decade at all their stores.They allow employees to work in all areas of the business and develop their interests, ensuring everyone has the opportunity for advancement.
These owners are very vocal in their communities with their local Chambers of Commerce and local businesses. Ginette and Chris have developed continuous training and growth programs for their staff. They continue enhancing the culture of their stores, creating a better experience for employees and customers alike.
Chief (Retired) Brad Duncan, London Police Service
"It's about recognizing the work and the ability. It's about providing meaningful work for the individual that also has value for the organization. The first step is to reach out to the agencies, sit down together, and have a dialogue about how this could be a good fit for your organization."
Dennis Winkler
“Employers should never be nervous or afraid to hire people with a disability. My staff that were hired through Community Living London bring to the workforce a positive presence which is noticed by all of the staff.”