AbleTo Campaign (DCOI)

Closing the employment gap

This campaign targets employers and busts their myths about workforce talent with visible and non-visible disabilities. The aim: stem the workforce shortage in Ottawa and help students and graduates living with disabilities find meaningful employment.

One movement for many audiences

Research showed that, in a time when employers were struggling to find new employee talent, there was an entire cohort being overlooked. The David C. Onley Initiative needed to develop an awareness and action campaign that showcased this cohort—students and graduates with disabilities—and their experiences and capabilities. Our #AbleTo campaign highlights the employment gap these students encounter. Able to also dispels stubborn myths about ability held by Ottawa’s employers and business owners.

designed mock of multiple AbleTo PDF documents in a folder
Magazine ad of a graphic titled make hiring inclusive A mock of ableto business cards in a stack

It takes a community to close the employment gap. The AbleTo campaign connects Ottawa’s employers, students, educators and experts. These supporters show the human side of the challenge faced in our city, and the very solution that resides here.

Website mockup showing multiple screens of the site designed overlaid in a stack

“I appreciate the care that Stiff took to understand the issue and the stakeholders. They leveraged what they learned to bring a fresh and dynamic approach to employer engagement in our community.”

– Shannon Bruce, Manager of Business Development, United Way East Ontario’s Earn

Ableto bus ad mockup of a person walking with crutches Ableto roll-up banners of inclusive visuals and text in French
Designed mockup of multiple PDF layouts showcasing myths and inclusive statistics as graphs