In 2020, Sephora Canada and DSV Solutions teamed up to do something special. Sephora, a well-known beauty retailer, through their DE&I Heart Journey and wanted to make their workplaces more inclusive, including for people with disabilities. They partnered with both DSV, their third-party logistics partner, and Inclusion Canada to launch a program employing people with disabilities within their distribution network.
Together, they created the All Abilities Program, a project designed to give people with disabilities equitable access to job opportunities. For this initiative, it was key to partner with organizations like Inclusion Canada, Ready, Willing, and Able (RWA), and Community Living Mississauga to make it happen.
There were various aspects of sourcing, recruitment and onboarding that were reviewed. When it came to job descriptions, Sephora and DSV looked at the tasks for various roles and adjusted them, taking a critical lens on what mattered most. They also incorporated site-visits during interviews to help them better understand the environment and role, and also created training programs to help new employees better understand and learn their roles.
Nathan, who works in the receiving area, loves his job. “I like how everything works together,” he says. He speaks passionately about the team-oriented culture, describing how coworkers collaborate to meet daily goals and share their lives during breaks. For Nathan, it’s more than a workplace—it’s a community.
“When I started here, I didn’t think it would be this good,” he says. “I’ve learned so much, and the people here have given me a chance to grow. It feels rewarding to be part of something bigger.”
The impact goes beyond Nathan’s job. Earning a paycheck has allowed him to support his family, giving him a sense of pride and purpose. “A lot of people told me I couldn’t do this,” Nathan reflects. “But I’ve proven them wrong. It’s important to never give up on yourself.”
Nathan’s story illustrates the broader benefits of inclusive employment. Companies like Sephora and DSV, with a commitment to creating collaborative, supportive environments, empower individuals to thrive. As Nathan puts it, “Everyone has value. You just need the right opportunity to show it.”
For those who haven’t yet found their place, Nathan has this advice: “Don’t give up. You’re worth more than what people might say. Believe in yourself and keep trying.”
“This program wouldn’t have worked without RWA” says Darren Bifolchi, a Senior Manager at DSV. RWA supported DSV and Sephora every step of the way, whether it was solving problems, adjusting training, or simply being there, RWA’s partnership and consultation supported the program to stay on track.
The changes haven’t just helped new employees—they’ve helped the company too. Having a more diverse team has led to fresh ideas and better ways of doing things.
For Sephora and DSV, this program is just the beginning. They plan to expand it to other parts of their business and hope other companies will do the same.
“It’s not something you do once and forget,” says Dave Ashwood, Sephora Canada’s Director, Distribution. “It’s a journey. You learn and improve as you go.”
Salma Dhanani, who leads DEI and Social Impact work at Sephora Canada, echoes this sentiment: “At Sephora, we’re committed to making our workplaces inclusive, not just for employees with disabilities, but for all individuals. It’s an ongoing journey, and we’re dedicated to evolving our practices to ensure that every person has a chance to thrive.”
By giving people with disabilities access to work, Sephora and DSV have shown how inclusion can make businesses stronger and communities better. They’ve proven that when companies invest in people, everyone wins.