Pan Disability Connection

What Pan Disability Connection does

Pan Disability Connection is a non-profit collective impact initiative founded in 2015 and headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta. It convenes ten partner organizations — including Chrysalis, EmployAbilities, DynaLIFE, Gateway Association, Prospect Human Services, Goodwill Industries, Skills Society, WICS, AEFN, CEFN, and NorQuest College — to eliminate systemic barriers to employment for persons with disabilities across the Edmonton Capital Region and, more recently, Calgary. Its core programs are the Business Champions Network (BCN), which recruits and supports employers committed to disability inclusion; the Job Developer Partnership, which provides job coaching and placement; and Disability Employment Awareness Month (DEAM), an annual awareness and employer-engagement campaign anchored by a 2018 Government of Alberta proclamation and centred on the IDEA Conference.

The initiative operates without proprietary technology and delivers services free of charge to both employers and job seekers. Coordination is performed by a small staff of 1-10 employees, with delivery distributed across the partner organizations rather than centralized in the initiative itself. The business model is grant and sponsorship funded: the Edmonton Community Foundation is identified as one of its largest funders, with additional support from corporate partners such as ATB Financial and Enbridge. Revenue, pricing, and contract structures are not publicly disclosed, and there is no commercial product offering beyond program participation.

Recent strategic activity in 2025 indicates geographic expansion into Calgary (via CEFN and the ATB Financial fireside chat), a new Digital Literacy Program launched with Gateway Association, and broader municipal engagement through a Capital Region Mayors Diversity & Inclusion pledge developed with Baat Cheet Films. Geographic coverage spans Edmonton, Strathcona County, Leduc, Beaumont, Sherwood Park, and Calgary. The organization does not publish financial statements, grant totals, or outcome metrics in the input data, which limits visibility into operating scale and unit economics.

Name

Pan Disability Connection

Legal name

Pan Disability Connection

Website

https://pdconnection.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Pan Disability Connection is a non-profit collective impact initiative based in Edmonton, Alberta, coordinating ten partner organizations to eliminate systemic barriers to employment for persons with disabilities across the Edmonton Capital Region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Employment Services

NAICS

Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Employment & Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Programs (EDAAAOAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG), Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGAEAG)

Keywords

• Disability employment services
• Inclusive hiring programs
• Vocational rehabilitation support
• Workplace inclusion advocacy
• Community impact initiatives

Headquarters

HQ city

Edmonton

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Grant Funding and Funder Support: PDC operates as a non-profit collective impact initiative funded by partner organizations and major funders. The Edmonton Community Foundation is identified as one of PDC's largest funders, providing strategic investment and stewardship of endowment funds. PDC's work is described as powered by collaboration with partner organizations contributing resources and expertise.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Pan Disability Connection is a Collective Impact Initiative that coordinates action among 10 partner organizations to eliminate systemic barriers to employment for persons with disabilities. Its core offerings include the Business Champions Network (BCN) for employer inclusion, the Job Developer Partnership delivering job matching, job carving, and job search support, the annual Disability Employment Awareness Month (DEAM) campaign held each October, and a Digital Literacy Program delivered in partnership with Gateway Association. All services and resources are provided free of charge to participants.

Product overview

Pan Disability Connection (PDC) is a Collective Impact Initiative led by 10 organizations in Edmonton, working together to identify and eliminate systemic barriers to employment for persons with disabilities. PDC is not a traditional product company but rather a collaborative network offering programs and services including the Business Champions Network (BCN) for employer workplace inclusion, the Job Developer Partnership for supported employment services, and the annual DEAM (Disability Employment Awareness Month) campaign. Additionally, PDC provides a Digital Literacy Program in partnership with Gateway Association and maintains a Resource Library of best practices and employer guides.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Business Champions Network (BCN): An informal network of companies and organizations interested in advancing and shaping workplace inclusion in the Edmonton region.
• Job Developer Partnership
• DEAM (Disability Employment Awareness Month)

Products and services

• Business Champions Network (BCN) An informal network of companies and organizations in the Edmonton region interested in advancing and shaping workplace inclusion for people with disabilities. BCN connects employers seeking to collaboratively increase inclusion and representation of people with disabilities in the workforce.
• Job Developer Partnership A sub-committee under PDC bringing together multiple Edmonton-based organizations in the field of supported employment to help find employment and create meaning in people's lives. Services include job matching, job carving, and job searching for marginalized populations.
• Disability Employment Awareness Month (DEAM) An annual October campaign promoting inclusion within the job market for people with disabilities. The campaign raises awareness of challenges faced by people with disabilities in gaining employment and celebrates the impact and contribution made by workers with disabilities who have been given a chance.
• Digital Literacy Program A program delivered in partnership with Gateway Association that helps individuals experiencing barriers to employment to grow social connections and learn digital skills. Includes the Gateway To Digital Inclusion (GTDI) mobile app and Digital Literacy Program.
• Resource Library A collection of free resources including the MentorAbility Protege Information Sheet, Exploring Employer Views of Selecting and Accommodating PWD Report, Employing the Ability Business Case, Employer Engagement Best Practices, and inclusive hiring guides.

Quantifiable outcome

• Successfully advocated for Government of Alberta to proclaim October as Disability Employment Awareness Month (DEAM) starting in 2018
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered supporting, core and minor.

• ATB FinancialsupportingGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 October 2025ATB Financial joined the DEAM IDEA Conference for an employer fireside chat on October 3rd at the Telus Convention Centre in Calgary. Susy Ko and Sean Crump discussed accessible talent attraction processes, accommodations, and inclusion as shared responsibility.
• ChrysaliscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Chrysalis offers personalized services to help people with disabilities receive training, develop life and vocational skills, find employment, discover volunteer opportunities, and realize a better quality of life. Chrysalis is a PDC steering committee member providing vocational rehabilitation expertise.
• EmployAbilitiescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015EmployAbilities provides skill development, education, and employment services to adults and youth with medical conditions, mental health challenges, permanent injuries, disabilities, and employment barriers. Hosts Inclusive Employer Awards during DEAM.
• DynaLIFEsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015DynaLIFE provides clinical diagnostics to support physicians, patients, hospitals and other health providers from central Alberta. Listed as one of Alberta's Best Workplaces and participates in PDC advocacy efforts.
• Gateway AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Gateway Association is a family resource centre and employment resource centre providing education, family support, mentorship and inclusive employment services. Co-hosts Inclusion Perks events and MentorAbility Alberta project. Provides Gateway To Digital Inclusion (GTDI) mobile app and Digital Literacy Program in partnership with PDC.
• Prospect Human ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Prospect Human Services works with everyone from recent immigrants to ill-and-injured military veterans to people with disabilities. Co-hosts job fairs and provides workforce development expertise to PDC network.
• EnbridgesupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Enbridge exists to fuel people's quality of life and is a North American leader in delivering energy, ranked on Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations index for nine years. Supports PDC as a corporate partner committed to community diversity and inclusion.
• Goodwill Industries of AlbertacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Goodwill Industries of Alberta is a non-profit social enterprise providing individuals with disabilities the opportunity to enhance their lives through meaningful employment. Hosts DEAM Connect networking events and Reverse Job Fairs with Chrysalis.
• Winder Inclusive Communities Service (WICS)supportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Winder Inclusive Communities Service (WICS) facilitates opportunities for adults with disabilities to create healthy lasting relationships and a good life for themselves. Connects people to their communities in meaningful ways. Co-organizes DEAM Rally events.
• Skills SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Skills Society is a not-for-profit organization providing support services to children and adults with developmental disabilities, survivors of brain injuries, and their families. Director of Community Supports Shauna McCallum serves as PDC partnership broker.
• Alberta Employment First Network (AEFN)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015AEFN hosts the annual DEAM IDEA Conference focused on disability intersectionality within diversity and equity. PDC collaborates with AEFN on provincial DEAM initiatives and conference programming.
• Calgary Employment First Network (CEFN)supportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015CEFN celebrated disability employment awareness month and worked in partnership with PDC to advocate for Government of Alberta to proclaim October as DEAM starting in 2018.
• NorQuest CollegesupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015NorQuest College serves as venue partner for DEAM Ender 2025 event. Business Development Officer Gail Kesslar represents PDC as employed partner, bringing applied research expertise in accessibility and workforce development.
• Baat Cheet FilmsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsored the Capital Region Mayors pledge video for Diversity and Inclusion. Contributes video production expertise to PDC awareness campaigns.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Alberta Employment First Network (AEFN): AEFN hosts the annual DEAM IDEA Conference and works alongside PDC to advocate for disability employment awareness and inclusive employment practices across Alberta. It is a direct, mission-aligned peer coordinating employers, service providers, and self-advocates on disability employment.
• Prospect Human Services: Prospect Human Services is an Edmonton-based non-profit providing employment services to people facing barriers, including people with disabilities, immigrants, and veterans. It is one of PDC's core partner organizations and a direct peer with overlapping employment service delivery.
• Inclusion Alberta: Inclusion Alberta is a provincial disability advocacy organization that supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families, including employment and community inclusion, sharing PDC's Alberta-based focus and stakeholder model.
• Calgary Employment First Network (CEFN): CEFN is a Calgary-based disability employment advocacy network that partnered with PDC to secure the Alberta DEAM proclamation in 2018 and continues to deliver similar employer engagement and awareness programming in southern Alberta.
• Ability Employment: Ability Employment is a Canadian not-for-profit focused on disability employment services, including job matching and employer engagement, sharing PDC's core mission of connecting job seekers with disabilities to inclusive employers.
• Neil Squire Society: Neil Squire Society is a Canadian non-profit that uses technology, employment programs, and virtual services to help people with disabilities participate in the workforce, making it a comparable national peer with similar employment-focused mission and employer partnerships.

Broad incumbents

• Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work (CCRW): CCRW is a national Canadian non-profit focused on disability and work, providing training, research, and employment resources across provinces. It overlaps with PDC's disability employment mission but operates at a national rather than community-collective level.
• March of Dimes Canada: March of Dimes Canada is a national non-profit providing employment services, accessibility programs, and rehabilitation supports for people with disabilities. It is a broader incumbent with national reach and scale that PDC operates alongside in parts of its mission.
• Goodwill Industries of Alberta: Goodwill Industries of Alberta is a much larger social enterprise that provides training, employment, and wraparound services to people with disabilities and other barriers, and is also one of PDC's core partner organizations. It is a broader incumbent with a wider service portfolio and deeper resources.

Emerging players

• Sinneave Family Foundation: Sinneave Family Foundation focuses on disability research, transition, and employment programming, including autism and inclusive employment initiatives in Alberta. It is an emerging peer with partial overlap on workforce inclusion and a Calgary base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/PanDisability
• Facebookfacebook.com/PanDisabilityConnection
• Instagraminstagram.com/pandisabilityconnection

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Pan Disability Connection