(External) Beyond Welcome: Creating Truly Accessible Tourism Workplaces

Creating inclusive and accessible tourism workplaces takes more than good intentions – it requires leadership, mindset shifts, and practical tools. This interactive session introduces employers to key concepts from the Belong training program, developed by Tourism HR Canada and funded by the Government of Canada.

• Experience select Belong training content firsthand
• Explore strategies for inclusive hiring, onboarding, and workplace design
• Learn how to shift mindsets around disability and accommodation
• Discover tools and approaches to embed accessibility across the employee lifecycle

The session also features a spotlight on Dark Fork, Ottawa’s first “dine‑in‑the‑dark” restaurant, where visually impaired servers guide guests through a complete sensory experience, and the business model is built on inclusive employment, offering meaningful work to people with vision loss while delivering a unique, accessible dining experience for guests.

All participants will receive free access to the full Belong training program on Tourism HR Canada’s Emerit website, empowering them to bring this learning back to their teams and begin or strengthen their own accessibility roadmap.

Participants will also get free consultation services with the Tourism Workplace Accessibility Clinic, tailored to their specific accessibility needs.

Breakfast and lunch are included, and all workshop attendees will have access to free valet parking at the venue.

Whether you’re just starting out or ready to deepen your organization’s efforts, this session offers practical insights, peer discussion, and concrete next steps to help you create a tourism workplace where everyone can participate and belong.

This event is free of charge, thanks to generous funding from the Government of Canada’s Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities.

Facilitator: Jeff St Denis, MBA (he/him)

Jeff St Denis, MBA (he/him) is the Founder and CEO of Culture Catalyst Inc., a consulting, training, and recruitment firm focused on building inclusive, accessible and productive workplaces across Canada and around the world. With 25 years of experience across tourism, hospitality, tech, public sector, among others, Jeff helps organizations unlock their full potential.