Who We Are

Ready, Willing and Able (RWA) is a national partnership of Inclusion Canada (formerly the Canadian Association for Community Living), Autism Alliance of Canada (formerly Canadian Autism Spectrum Disorders Alliance (CASDA)), and their member organizations. Funded by the Government of Canada, RWA is designed to increase the labour force participation of people with an intellectual disability or on the autism spectrum.

In today’s hyper-competitive business environment, the difference between success and failure lies in the talent and diverse skill set of your workforce. There are approximately 500,000 working age adults with intellectual disabilities and/or on the autism spectrum. This untapped workforce can help address current labour shortages while making businesses stronger, more diverse and more productive.

Daniel Ponte, Executive Chef and Brian Newton, Employee, Kitchen Steward, Liberty Grand Entertainment Complex

As a national strategy to develop inclusive and effective labour markets, RWA will:

  • Connect and support employers, persons with an intellectual disability and/or on the autism spectrum and local, provincial and national community agencies
  • Promote understanding and awareness among employers and the general public as to the business value of hiring people with an intellectual disability and/ or on the autism spectrum
  • Complement and enhance the capacity of community employment service delivery organizations by connecting them to new employer demand

RWA provides:

  • Information about why hiring a person with an intellectual disability and/or on the autism spectrum is good for business
  • Individualized assistance to help you become a more inclusive employer
  • Assistance in identifying suitable candidates with an intellectual disability and/or on the autism spectrum to address hiring needs in your company
  • Disability awareness information and training for your current employees
  • Direct connections to community agencies who provide employment-related services and supports to job seekers with an intellectual disability and/or on the autism spectrum
  • Individual on-the-job support for the employee to do their job effectively, including disability related accommodations if and as necessary
  • Connections to other employers who have hired individuals with an intellectual disability and/or on the autism spectrum
  • Connections to available research, best practice and expertise in the field of inclusive labour markets

 

TOGETHER, WE ARE WORKING TO BUILD A MORE INCLUSIVE WORKFORCE ACROSS THE COUNTRY.