ACE Learning Summit and Awards 2026

Celebrating Progress, People, and Possibility

Thursday, October 22 | 10:00 am to 4:00 p.m.

Location: Progress Place (Prescott Group), 5055 Clyde St., Halifax, Nova Scotia or attend online.

Join employers, employment support organizations, community partners, and accessibility champions from across Atlantic Canada for a day of learning, conversation, connection, and celebration.

Together, we’ll explore the progress being made toward more accessible workplaces and better employment opportunities for people with disabilities, while asking an important question: Where do we go next?

Throughout the day, participants will hear updates and perspectives on accessibility across Atlantic Canada, learn from employment support organizations through a panel discussion, and take part in facilitated table conversations to share experiences, ideas, and opportunities for action. We’ll also share the latest from ACE and introduce an exciting new accessibility program! We’ll explore how these initiatives can support organizations in assessing where they are in their accessibility journey and how they can continue to build confidence and capacity.

We’ll close the day by celebrating the people and organizations leading change through the annual ACE Awards, followed by time to connect and network with the ACE community.

Whether you’re an employer, job seeker, community partner, or accessibility champion, this summit is an opportunity to learn from one another, recognize how far we’ve come, and build momentum for more accessible and inclusive workplaces across Atlantic Canada.

Agenda

10:00 - 10:20 am - Welcome Remarks and Introductions

The summit will open with a welcome, land acknowledgement, event overview, and key accessibility and housekeeping information.

10:20 - 10:30 am - Introductions at table Group

Participants will have a chance to meet their table group, connect with one another, and reflect on a question tied to the day’s purpose.

10:30 - 10:50 am - Accessibility Updates from Provincial Partners

Representatives from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador will share updates on accessibility in their provinces and the work of their offices.

10:50 - 11:00 am - Table Reflections 1

Participants will pause to share reflections, key takeaways, and what stood out from the provincial accessibility updates.

11:00 - 11:45 am- Panel Discussion: “From Access to Employment: What’s Working and What Comes Next?

The panel will explore progress toward more accessible workplaces, ongoing barriers for job seekers with disabilities, and what employers and employment support organizations can do next to strengthen recruitment, hiring, and retention.

11:45 am - 12:00 pm - Table Reflections 2

Participants will reflect on key takeaways from the panel and share what they believe is helping organizations make progress toward more accessible workplaces.

12:00 - 1:00 pm - Lunch Break

1:00 - 1:30 pm - Table Reflections 3

Participants will reflect on where the biggest opportunities lie over the next year to make workplaces more accessible and strengthen recruitment, hiring, and retention for people with disabilities.

1:30 - 2:00 pm - ACE Update and Compass Program Launch

Participants will hear the latest updates from the ACE Project and learn about the launch of Sea Change CoLab’s new Compass program.

2:00 - 2:20 pm - Engagement Activity

Participants will take part in a fun engagement activity to test the day’s learning, compete with one another, and have a chance to win prizes.

2:20 - 3:20 pm - ACE Awards Ceremony

The ACE Awards will celebrate individuals and organizations making meaningful contributions to more accessible and inclusive workplaces across Atlantic Canada.

3:20 - 3:40 pm - Networking Break

3:40 - 4:00 pm - Closing Remarks

2026 Award Categories + Finalists

Accessibility Champion

Recognizes an individual who has shown an exceptional commitment to learning about accessibility through ACE. This award celebrates someone who has consistently participated in ACE training, events, and learning opportunities and demonstrated an ongoing interest in building their accessibility knowledge and confidence.

Finalists: Melanie Bower (NS Health), Caryn Tressider (IWK Health), Annette Carter (Pier 21)

New Brunswick Rising Star

Recognizes an individual or organization in New Brunswick that is beginning to build a strong connection with ACE learning. This award celebrates a participant who has actively engaged in ACE training, events, or other learning opportunities as ACE expands its work in New Brunswick.

Finalists: Andrea Martin (Government of New Brunswick), Heather Avery (Government of New Brunswick), Caitlin Udall (Government of New Brunswick)

Newfoundland and Labrador Rising Star

Recognizes an individual or organization in Newfoundland and Labrador that is beginning to build a strong connection with ACE learning. This award celebrates a participant who has actively engaged in ACE training, events, or other learning opportunities as ACE expands its work in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Finalists: Cherry Ralhan (Memorial University of Newfoundland), Nicola Clift (Bright Isle)

Public Sector Learning Award

Recognizes an individual or organization from the public sector that has demonstrated a strong commitment to accessibility learning through ACE. This award celebrates consistent participation across ACE training, events, and other learning opportunities.

Finalists: Muriel Thomas (Town of Yarmouth), Tammy Samson (NS Health Authority), Ivonne Paez (Dalhousie University)

Social Impact Sector Learning Award

Recognizes an individual or organization from the nonprofit, community, or social impact sector that has demonstrated a strong commitment to accessibility learning through ACE. This award celebrates active and ongoing participation in ACE training, events, and other learning opportunities.

Finalists: Amanda Mollon (Maggie's Place Cumberland), Sierra Jordan (Nova Scotia Department of Public Works), Victoria Vance (Cumberland African Nova Scotian Association, CANSA)

Private Sector Learning Award

Recognizes an individual or organization from the private sector that has demonstrated a strong commitment to accessibility learning through ACE. This award celebrates active and ongoing participation in ACE training, events, and other learning opportunities.

The ACE Awards