News

Vancouver, B.C. — October 31, 2025 — Accessible Employers (AE), operated by Open Door Group, has won the Unique-to-Vancouver category at the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade’s Business Distinction Awards 2025. This award recognizes businesses that make a real difference in the community, promote inclusion, and help make Vancouver a more vibrant and welcoming city. 

The awards gala took place on October 30th, with over 200 business and community leaders in attendance. Accessible Employers was chosen from a strong group of finalists including Dunbar Smiles, Hudson Pacific Properties, and Warrior Plumbing. We want to recognize and congratulate the finalists and nominees for their incredible leadership in the community.

The Unique to Vancouver award celebrates businesses that stand out for their positive impact on the city - those that support diversity, inclusion, and community well-being.

Building Inclusive Workplaces, Starting in Vancouver

Launched in 2013 as the Presidents Group, Accessible Employers began as a local network of business leaders dedicated to expanding employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

What makes this initiative truly “unique to Vancouver” is its collaborative, community-driven model, which reflects the city's spirit of shared leadership and inclusion. This local community of practice has since grown into a province-wide initiative, shaping accessibility standards across British Columbia and influencing the national conversation on disability inclusion. 

“Over one in four British Columbians identify as having a disability,” said Yat Li, Associate Director of Inclusive Employment at Open Door Group. “When so many in our province do, it’s critical that employers have the tools and platforms to build inclusive and accessible workplaces. Our work is uniquely rooted in Vancouver, born from the vision of senior leaders here in B.C., and we’ve pioneered ways to measure disability inclusion in business. We’re tracking what hasn’t been tracked before, and we look forward to partnering with more local employers to make inclusion and accessibility a pillar for B.C. workplaces”

Measurable Impact Across B.C.

The Accessible Employers network now includes more than 300 employers representing over 100,000 employees in sectors such as healthcare, technology, retail, hospitality, and manufacturing.

Through its flagship Pledge to Measure initiative, employers voluntarily join to track disability representation within their own workforce. Since 2021, Accessible Employers has surveyed over 350,000 British Columbians, revealing that one in four identify as having a disability. Participation in the Pledge to Measure has grown rapidly, increasing from 21 employers in 2021 to 55 in 2024, and it has since expanded nationally, with 74 employers across Canada.

Employers who take the Pledge are implementing inclusive hiring practices, forming disability-focused employee resource groups, improving accommodation policies, and appointing accessibility leads, creating meaningful change across workplaces.

A Shared Success

Accessible Employers extends its gratitude to the Presidents Group members, inclusive employers, community partners, and government supporters who made this recognition possible. Special thanks go to the Vancouver Foundation, whose Pathway Finding Project Fund has been instrumental in expanding accessibility efforts across B.C.

“This award is a celebration of collaboration,” said Cayley Muir, Chief Operating Officer of Open Door Group. “Our team works with employers to make workplaces more welcoming for everyone, which improves businesses' resiliency and results, and in turn strengthens communities.”

About Accessible Employers

Accessible Employers, operated by Open Door Group, helps employers across B.C. create workplaces where people with disabilities can thrive and succeed. They work with businesses of all sizes to navigate the accessibility landscape, establish inclusive employment policies, access training and resources, and connect with other employers on this journey.

For more information, visit AccessibleEmployers.ca