Belong logo with the tagline Building IDEAL Workplaces powered by Tourism HR Canada

The Belong initiative will strengthen tourism's capacity to offer inclusive, diverse, equitable, accessible, leading (IDEAL) workplaces.

The project seeks to increase the awareness of disability inclusion and enhance the understanding of the significant benefits of hiring, retaining, and promoting persons with disabilities.

Male restaurant worker with down syndrome packing a takeout order.

Belong is a three-year, pan-Canadian initiative generously funded by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) under the Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities.

As part of the initiative, Tourism HR Canada will undertake a suite of activities, including:

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Accessible, Inclusive Employment Training

A suite of online, on-demand courses and facilitated workshop modules

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Employer Disability Inclusion Toolkit

Resources dedicated to supporting tourism workplaces in becoming accessible and inclusive for people with disabilities.

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Research, Surveys, Focus Groups

Exploring and sharing how disability impacts people in tourism workplaces.

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Train-the-Facilitator Workshop

Set for January 2025 in Ottawa, Ontario, this in-person session will empower qualified facilitators to effectively deliver the Belong training program across Canada.

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Workplace Accessibility Clinic

One-on-one advisory services tailored to the specific needs of individual tourism employers, covering disability-inclusive recruitment and retention, accessibility, accommodations, and compliance assistant, plus mentorship support.

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Belong Connections

A range of events to assist tourism employers in attracting skilled individuals with disabilities by establish meaningful relationships with community organizations. Coming up: webinars, a National Service Provider Expo, and regional Community Connection events.

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National Workplace Accreditation Program

Acknowledging tourism businesses for their commitment to workplace disability inclusion by adhering to industry-validated standards.

Tourism HR Canada will work closely with national, provincial/territorial, and local stakeholders to promote the project, recruit participants, and identify and support the needs of employers, community associations, and persons with disabilities.

Current Activities

Join Tourism HR Canada for its Belong Connections webinar series! These hour-long events feature renowned organizations offering trusted resources, guidance, and support around IDEAL workplaces: inclusive, diverse, equitable, accessible, and leading.

We’re delighted to connect you with CASE, the Canadian Association for Supported Employment, a national member association for the supported employment sector.

Watch for resources, training, services, and more to support the long-term labour market integration of persons with disabilities across Canada’s tourism sector.

Tourism HR Canada (RH Tourisme Canada) logo
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