VIRTUAL EVENT: Empowering Disability Employment Opportunities

A conversation between Chief Accessibility Officer Stephanie Cadieux, President and CEO of LimeConnect Susan Lang, and HR Manager for Microsoft Jack McCormick as they explore accessibility requirements for hiring and recruitment.

This session will focus on Integrated Accessibility Employment Standards, which mandates that employers ensure inclusive and accessible practices for job applicants with disabilities.

The Chief Accessibility Officer for the Government of Canada will provide an overview of the standards and their implications for Ontario employers, sharing insights on how her office has transitioned to comply.

Susan Lang, CEO of Lime Connect, will offer recommendations for organizations seeking to tap into the underutilized talent pool of individuals with disabilities. She will also provide guidance for candidates with disabilities on navigating the recruitment and hiring process.

Additionally, Jack McCormick, HR Manager at Microsoft, will share his perspective as a hiring manager at a company recognized for their inclusive hiring practices. He will discuss Microsoft’s partnership with Valuable 500, an initiative dedicated to ending disability exclusion in the workplace.

Lyla Korhani, Director of Career Services at the Rotman School of Management and a member of LimeConnect’s Canada Board of Directors, will serve as the event's moderator.

The panel will explore several key topics, including:

· Recruiting: Strategies for accessing skilled and qualified applicants with disabilities.

· Interviewing

· Ensuring accessibility during the interview process.

· Understanding which questions violate the Human Rights Code.

· Clarifying what questions employers are allowed to ask.

· Onboarding: Best practices for making necessary accommodations.

· Employee Responsibility: How employees with disabilities can advocate for themselves in the workplace.

Stephanie Cadieux (she/her/elle), Office of the Chief Accessibility Officer, Employment and Social Development Canada, Government of Canada
Susan Lang (she/her/hers), President & CEO, Lime Connect
Jack McCormick (he/him), Human Resources Manager, Microsoft Canada
Moderator: Lyla Korhani, Director of Career Services, Rotman School of Management

Stephanie Cadieux (she/her/elle), Office of the Chief Accessibility Officer, Employment and Social Development Canada, Government of Canada

In May 2022, Stephanie Cadieux was appointed to a four-year term as Canada’s first Chief Accessibility Officer (CAO). Before her appointment, she was a member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia for 13 years, from 2009 to 2022.

She is a member of the disability community and has used a wheelchair since the age of 18. Her lived experience gives her a deep understanding of the unnecessary barriers faced by people with disabilities and the cost of these barriers to our collective wellbeing.

Throughout her career, she has been a tireless advocate for increased accessibility.

She is a firm believer that as a society, we can no longer afford to accommodate inaccessibility and must challenge outdated mindsets and unconscious bias at every opportunity.

Susan Lang (she/her/hers), President & CEO, Lime Connect
Susan Lang is the founding president/CEO of Lime Connect and has led the growth and development of the organization since 2006 - cultivating and managing Lime's high-level corporate, pro bono, and strategic partnerships in addition to overseeing all day to day operations. Ms. Lang has an extensive background in marketing, communications, and executive-level management in both corporate and not-for-profit settings, and founded Lime after discovering the large gap in the disability talent space that included university students and professionals with all disabilities. She is passionate about the mission of rebranding disability through achievement, and is an often-requested and frequent speaker on the strengths and talent that people with disabilities possess.

Jack McCormick (he/him), HR Manager, Microsoft Canada

Jack McCormick is a HR Manager at Microsoft Canada and a Certified Human Resources Professional. He has experience in the technology, finance and healthcare sectors. He believes that the best companies create inclusive environments where all employees can thrive. Through his work in leadership development, performance management and organization development he has contributed to building these environments at some of the worlds most respected companies. Jack McCormick is also a person living with a disability.

Moderator: Lyla Korhani, Director of Career Services, Rotman School of Management

Lyla Korhani's professional experience spans over 20 years. In her role as Director of Career Services at the Rotman School of Management, Lyla has gained a solid reputation and professional network within the talent community. She enjoys leading a high performing team, passionate about student success and engaging employers with their talent needs. Combining leadership with coaching has been Lyla’s path to success.

Prior to joining Rotman, Lyla had a successful career in brand management working for top tiered companies in consumer-packaged goods and publishing including Nestle Canada and Harlequin Enterprises. Her career in higher education started shortly thereafter, first at the Schulich School of Business followed by Rotman Commerce and now at the Rotman School of Management. During her tenure in Career Services, Lyla became a trained and Accredited Certified Coach (ACC) from the International Coaching Federation and has been passionately supporting, coaching, and mentoring students with their career aspirations. Lyla has an MBA from the Schulich School of Business and a Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadershipfrom Northeastern University.

To complement her achievements, Lyla dedicates her time volunteering for non-profit organizations, especially in the diversity and inclusion space. She served as Board Director forLean In Canada supporting a strong women’s network. Currently, Lyla sits on the Board of Lime Connect, an organization dedicated to supporting students and professionals with disabilities. In her spare time, Lyla is a passionate hockey and soccer Mom, and continuously advocates for lifelong learning and leadership development.

This event is available to attend via livestream only.

Rotman Events is committed to accessibility for all people. If you have any access needs or if there are any ways we can support your full participation in this session, please email Megan Murphy [[email protected]] no later than 2 weeks in advance of the event and we will be glad to work with you to make the appropriate arrangements.

Rotman Events will email registrants a link to the livestream.

Unable to attend the event due to scheduling conflicts? Not to worry. All registrants can access the full recording on-demand for one month after the live event.

Questions: [email protected], Megan Murphy

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Rotman School of Management, 105 Saint George Street, Toronto, Canada