What Inclusion Canada does

Inclusion Canada is a registered Canadian charity (registration number 10684 2545 RR0001) and the national federation advocating for the full inclusion and human rights of people with intellectual disabilities and their families. Founded in 1958 (originally as the Canadian Association for Retarded Children, later renamed Canadian Association for Community Living, and rebranded to Inclusion Canada in 2020), the organization operates from a head office in Toronto with additional offices in Ottawa and Fredericton and a mailing address in Oshawa. Its mission is delivered through five national initiatives: Ready, Willing & Able (employment, launched 2014 with Autism Alliance of Canada), Inclusive Education Canada (education resources, launched 2009), My Home My Community (inclusive housing), The Inclusive Workplace (bilingual employment resource, launched 2021), and Barrier-Free Benefits (free in-person Navigator support for federal benefits access), plus the Inclusion Matters presentation series and Inclusion Ambassador volunteer program.

The organization's revenue model is entirely donation- and grant-based, with no products or services sold. Revenue streams include individual donations (one-time and recurring pledges), planned giving (bequests, life insurance beneficiary designations, appreciated securities), and corporate partnerships/sponsorships (cause-related marketing, corporate matching programs, project support, and the Take Action Fund). Known significant funding includes a $1 million gift from The Slaight Family Foundation (December 2024), the 2025 AWS Canada IMAGINE Grant for cloud and digital inclusion, and prior Government of Canada funding for RWA Phase II. Technology infrastructure is minimal: a Wix-based website platform with no disclosed proprietary features, integrations, applications, or AI/ML capabilities. Marketing and distribution rely on the website, Facebook, X, LinkedIn, YouTube, email newsletters, virtual presentations, the Inclusion Ambassador volunteer network, and the annual National Policy Forum on Inclusion.

Inclusion Canada serves as the only national organization working solely on behalf of people with intellectual disabilities and their families in Canada, holding Special Consultative Status with the UN Economic and Social Council. Its federation member organizations across provinces and territories, along with a longstanding MOU with People First of Canada (1991), form an ecosystem that has influenced major federal legislation including the Accessible Canada Act (2019), CRPD ratification (2010), the Optional Protocol accession (2018), and the Canada Disability Benefit Act (2022). Customer segments span people with intellectual disabilities and their families (primary), employers and corporations, government and policymakers, and allies and advocates.

Name

Inclusion Canada

Legal name

Inclusion Canada

Website

https://inclusioncanada.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1958

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Inclusion Canada is the national federation advocating for the inclusion and human rights of people with intellectual disabilities and their families in Canada, delivering programs in employment, education, housing, and benefits navigation funded through donations, grants, and corporate partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Rights Advocacy

NAICS

Human Rights Organizations (813311), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Civic and Social Organizations (81341), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310)

akta.pro primary industry

Human Rights, Social Inclusion & Disability Inclusion (BPAGABAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Disability Rights & Accessibility Advocacy (BPAGAFAF), Special Education, Disability Support & Inclusive Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAH), Minority, Indigenous & Disability Rights (BPADAGAH), Inclusion Facilitation & Classroom Accommodation/Modification Support (EDAKABAD)

Keywords

• Disability advocacy
• Inclusive education
• Disability employment
• Disability rights
• Inclusive housing

Headquarters

HQ city

Toronto

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations: Individual donations from the public, with various giving options including one-time and recurring donations through the organization's pledge form.
2. Planned Giving: Legacy gifts including bequests, life insurance beneficiary designations, and appreciated securities donations. Provides tax advantages for donors.
3. Corporate Partnerships and Sponsorships: Cause-related marketing, corporate matching programs, project support, and annual support through the Take Action Fund. Partners include corporations seeking DEI alignment.

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Inclusion Canada is a national federation that advocates for the full inclusion and human rights of people with intellectual disabilities and their families across Canada. It delivers a portfolio of national initiatives covering inclusive employment (Ready, Willing & Able), inclusive education (Inclusive Education Canada), inclusive housing (My Home My Community), accessible workplace resources (The Inclusive Workplace), and benefits navigation (Barrier-Free Benefits), supported by policy advocacy, federal legislative influence, and a volunteer ambassador program.

Product overview

Inclusion Canada operates as a non-profit advocacy organization rather than a product company. Its offerings consist of advocacy programs and initiatives: Inclusion Matters (35-minute virtual presentations), the Inclusion Ambassador volunteer program, and five national initiatives including Ready Willing and Able (employment), Inclusive Education Canada (education resources), My Home My Community (housing), The Inclusive Workplace (employment resources), and Barrier-Free Benefits (benefits navigation). The organization also provides newsletters, impact stories, and donation/planned giving programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ready, Willing and Able: A national initiative designed to increase the labour market participation of people with an intellectual disability or autism through employer-driven demand.
• Inclusive Education Canada
• The Inclusive Workplace
• My Home My Community
• Barrier-Free Benefits

Products and services

• Ready, Willing and Able (RWA) Award-winning national initiative that increases the labour force participation of people with an intellectual disability or autism by connecting employers with job seekers, supporting inclusive employment across Canada.
• Inclusive Education Canada National initiative providing educators, researchers, parents, and advocates with resources and information for inclusive education strategies for students with intellectual disabilities.
• My Home My Community National initiative creating innovative tools and providing guidance to help housing developers, community organizations, policymakers, and funders develop inclusive housing in community for people with intellectual disability.
• The Inclusive Workplace Bilingual online resource launched in partnership with the Autism Alliance of Canada to support job seekers and employees with intellectual disability or autism, businesses, and employment agencies.
• Barrier-Free Benefits National initiative providing free in-person Navigators who help individuals apply for and access federal benefits including the Canada Disability Benefit.
• Inclusion Matters A 35-minute virtual presentation featuring testimonials from individuals and families impacted by Inclusion Canada's work, delivered through hosted sessions or ambassador-led presentations for workplaces, communities, and groups.
• Inclusion Ambassador Program Volunteer program where ambassadors host 35-minute Inclusion Matters virtual presentations for friends, coworkers, and colleagues to raise awareness about Inclusion Canada's work.

Quantifiable outcome

• 73% of people with intellectual disability still live in poverty despite advocacy efforts
• +1 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Ready, Willing & Able (Partnership with Autism Alliance of Canada)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaunched in 2014, Ready, Willing & Able is a national initiative partnership between Inclusion Canada and the Autism Alliance of Canada designed to increase labour market participation of people with intellectual disability or autism through employer-driven demand. The initiative has engaged 10,000+ employers, partnered with 200+ employment agencies, and supported 4,800+ competitive hires for competitive wages.
• Inclusive Education Canada (Partnership with Community Living Fundy NB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational initiative launched in 2009 providing educators, researchers, parents, and advocates with vital resources for inclusive education strategies. Partnered with Community Living Fundy (NB) to create a resource website for educators and families.
• My Home My CommunitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational initiative creating innovative tools and providing guidance to help housing developers, community organizations, policymakers, and funders develop inclusive housing in community. Spreads awareness about community living for people with intellectual disability.
• Ready, Willing & Able Employer NetworkcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOver 10,000 employers engaged through the Ready, Willing & Able initiative to hire people with intellectual disabilities or autism, creating inclusive workplaces across Canada.
• Ready, Willing & Able Employment AgenciescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOver 200 employment agencies partnered to connect job seekers with intellectual disabilities or autism with inclusive employers through the Ready, Willing & Able initiative.
• Allstate Insurance Company of CanadaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFunded the This is Ableism campaign, a public awareness initiative inspired by Article 8 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, brought to life by people with disabilities in Canada.
• Community Living OntariocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint advocacy with Inclusion Canada on issues affecting people with intellectual disabilities, including calls for action during labour disputes impacting disability services.
• United Nations (ECOSOC Special Consultative Status)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInclusion Canada holds Special Consultative Status with the UN Economic and Social Council, enabling participation in international human rights monitoring and CRPD implementation reviews.
• Council of Canadians with DisabilitiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaunched the End Exclusion national annual gathering focused on poverty reduction, resulting in development of a National Action Plan on Disability and Basic Income Plan proposal.
• Inclusion SaskatchewancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvincial federation member working jointly on advocacy efforts, including outrage at government expansion of segregated classrooms.
• BIPOC Youth OrganizationsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnerships with Black, Indigenous, and People of Color youth organizations to build community capacity and promote diverse and inclusive workforces through Ready, Willing & Able.
• People First of CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSelf-advocacy organization for people with intellectual disabilities. Signed Memorandum of Understanding outlining commitment to work together, in place since 1991.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Disability Rights Fund: International grantmaking organization focused on disability rights advocacy; comparable human-rights framing and UN CRPD alignment, but operates as a funder rather than a service-delivery federation.

Broad incumbents

• Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB): Large national Canadian disability organization with overlapping disability rights advocacy, service delivery, and federal policy engagement; differs in serving the blind/low-vision community specifically rather than intellectual disability.
• Special Olympics Canada: National organization serving people with intellectual disabilities through sport, with similar population focus and federal funding relationships; differs in delivery mechanism (athletics vs. advocacy/programs).
• March of Dimes Canada: National disability services nonprofit offering employment, accessibility, and rehabilitation services across Canada; comparable scale and employer engagement but broader across all disability types.

Direct peers

• Community Living Ontario: Provincial federation member of Inclusion Canada working on the same intellectual disability inclusion mandate in Ontario; comparable organizational model, mission, and advocacy focus.
• People First of Canada: Self-advocacy organization for people with intellectual disabilities with whom Inclusion Canada has held a Memorandum of Understanding since 1991. Operates in the same population and rights-advocacy space.
• Council of Canadians with Disabilities: National human rights organization of people with disabilities that co-launched the End Exclusion gathering with Inclusion Canada and collaborates on poverty-reduction advocacy including a National Action Plan on Disability.
• Autism Alliance of Canada: National Canadian organization that co-leads the Ready, Willing & Able initiative with Inclusion Canada, working on disability inclusion across the autism and intellectual disability communities with shared employer engagement and policy advocacy mandates.

Emerging players

• Inclusion International: Global federation of people with intellectual disabilities and their families, headquartered outside Canada. Most comparable international peer given shared mission and federation structure serving the same population.
• L'Arche Canada: Canadian federation creating communities where people with and without intellectual disabilities live together; comparable values-driven model serving the same intellectual disability population but focused on residential community building rather than federal advocacy.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/InclusionCA
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UClLIBBI6poD-R28sFcuOiQA
• Facebookfacebook.com/InclusionCanadaFB
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/inclusioncanada

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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 Inclusion Canada