What a year it’s been! With numerous events, presentations, and an ever-growing network, we’re deeply grateful for the connections we’ve made and the many opportunities that came our way in 2025.
Early in the year, AEFN opened applications for Disability Employment Awareness Month (DEAM) grants. We awarded funding to 21 events, adding to an already vibrant roster of DEAM activities throughout October. This funding helped expand the initiative across the province and encouraged greater engagement from the business community, along with sectors beyond employment support. Events spanned a range of themes, including art showcases, employer awards, lunch-and-learn sessions, cultural-awareness programming, and educational workshops. We look forward to continuing to grow DEAM and increasing the number of events we’re able to support in the years ahead.
In addition to community-led DEAM activities, AEFN hosted the 4th annual DEAM IDEA Conference and networking event, where we welcomed twice as many attendees as the previous year. Participants gathered in Calgary for a day of learning and an evening of connection. Find out more about it here. Plans are underway for what the conference can look like in 2026. Looking to support us? Read more about it below.
While DEAM remains a central focus of our work, 2025 also offered many opportunities to collaborate across the province. With a team of just two, AEFN delivered 30+ presentations – both virtually and in person – broadening our reach and strengthening our message: that by working together, we can increase meaningful employment opportunities for people with disabilities and elevate awareness of inclusive employment.
Some of the events we spoke at included the Community Futures Treaty 7 Bridge to Inclusion Conference, the Alberta Council for Disability Services Conference, multiple Alberta Chambers of Commerce, panels, regional interagency service-provider meetings, and a Calgary Chamber of Commerce event, among many others. Beyond our own presentations, we also supported 12 events dedicated to advancing inclusive employment across Alberta.
To ensure accessibility remained central to our work, we hosted four webinars throughout the year, covering topics such as networking strategies and disability representation in the media, the latter co-hosted with Kello Inclusive.
As the sector continues to evolve, our team invested time in professional development, including Complexity Lab training and a session from the Alberta Chambers of Commerce introducing their Talent Pipeline Management project rollout.
None of this would have been possible without our collaborators across the province. Since day one, AEFN has benefited from a community of employment service providers, advocacy groups, and employers who believe in the value of this initiative and continue to champion our work. Looking ahead, we aim to create even more opportunities for the disability sector to come together, strengthen connections, and break down barriers. With significant changes on the horizon in 2026, we encourage continued collaboration to build sustainable, authentic employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
Stay tuned for what’s ahead in 2026!
