The Prescott-Russell Employment Services Centre (CSEPR), in collaboration with Contak, Valoris, SDPR, Valor & Solutions, and WCG, is proud to announce the first-ever Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Forum in the Prescott-Russell region.

This free event, open to the public, will take place on Thursday, November 27, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., at the Saint-Isidore Arena (20 Arena Street). Its goal is to bring communities and workplaces together around inclusive practices, particularly for people living with visible and invisible disabilities.

Catherine Roy, a consultant specializing in digital accessibility and inclusion, will open the forum with a presentation on invisible barriers in professional environments and practical solutions to overcome them. She will address issues related to non-apparent disabilities and offer actionable strategies for employers and institutions.

Martin Deschamps, an artist and advocate for diversity, will deliver a heartfelt and humorous keynote. He will share his personal and professional journey, illustrating how inclusion can drive creativity, resilience, and success.

The forum will feature an interactive panel composed of:

  • Workers living with visible and invisible disabilities, sharing their experiences in various workplaces.
  • Business representatives who actively hire people with disabilities, discussing their practices, challenges, and successes.

This exchange aims to foster mutual understanding and inspire concrete actions to create more inclusive work environments.

The day will include hands-on activities, powerful testimonials, and on-site job matching between employers and potential candidates. The objective is to move from awareness to commitment by equipping participants to become agents of change.

“Inclusion is more than a principle — as Catherine Roy says, it’s about belonging. This forum is a tangible opportunity to build professional environments where everyone can contribute fully,” says Caroline Arcand, Executive Director of CSEPR.

Space is limited. Employers, community partners, and citizens are invited to register now at https://www.csepr.ca to take part in this inspiring day.