EMBRACE 2 Learn Inc.
Year of inception: 2020
Brand name:
Address: 350 Rutherford Rd South, Plaza II, Unit 104, Brampton, ON
Postal code: L6W 4N6
Business category: EDI Consulting (Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion)
Primary Contact Details
Name: Michelle Buckland
Email: Michelle@embrace2learn.com
Phone: (416) 433-7746
Website: https://www.embrace2learn.com
Identifier: DV
Company Description
EMBRACE 2 Learn inc. was incorporated in 2020 -- from EMBRACE as a Sole-Proprietorship which was founded in 2010 -- to optimize accessibility and inclusion within the workforce, community, and society as a whole to help meet economic, social and personal needs of the untapped target people with invisible and/or visible disabilities. The vision is to make accessibility a fundamental part of an inclusive culture. It is based on legislation, universal access, maximizing awareness, minimizing the global and national gap of unemployed people who identify themselves of living with a disability, build employee and community engagement, and innovation (digital and assistive technology).
We help companies serve people with (in)visible disabilities and gain access to the untapped target market of over 1 billion globally who hold over $8 trillion disposable income (World Health Organization, 2023) -- 8 million across Canada (27% of population, Statistics Canada, 2023) who hold $47 billion of spending power (Abilities Magazine, 2023). This includes accessibility legislation integration, web accessibility assessments, digital accessibility, training (workshops and webinars), curriculum development via an accessibility lens, documentation accessibility remediation, keynote speaking, and learning support services.
Each of our services go through a "testing" phase to ensure the execution (i.e., conception to implementation) is accessibility-compliant according to accessibility legislation and universal design. This consists of people with both invisible and visible disabilities, Accessibility Experts, DEI Consultants, Caregivers, and SMEs in the accessibility space.
Our mandate is to optimize accessibility, change mindsets, help companies reach an untapped target market of people with disabilities, gain a competitive edge, and ensure services and products are well-executed from the very start with an accessibility lens. Past clients fall under the private, telecommunications, government, higher education, and non-profit industries. Some examples are Bell Canada, IESO, George Brown College, Seneca College, Ministry of Education, Canadian Association of Supported Employment (CASE), amongst others.
The business and/or Michelle Buckland as the Founder have received awards and recognition. Some examples are:
- 2025 Top 100 Black Women to Watch Nominee [w/in Canada]
- 2025 Impact Award for Female Leaders Nominee [w/in Canada]
- 2024 Top 100 Black Community Builders and Champions for City of Brampton
- 2021 Accessibility Award for the City of Brampton
- 2021 Top 150 Women of Inspiration Finalist Award [w/in North America]
- 2017 Michele Edwards Memorial Award for Advocacy for People with Disabilities [w/in Greater Toronto Ontario]
EMBRACE 2 Learn Inc. is committed to help everyone “EMBRACE” disability as a natural part of life. Our mottos are:
“Products and services are not fully finished until EVERYONE can access them!” – Michelle Buckland
“Accessibility and inclusion is an asset; NOT a privilege!” – Michelle Buckland
Community & Social Impact
EMBRACE 2 Learn Inc. came into fruition due to the personal experience of Michelle Buckland living with a disability, a brain surgery which led to living with 4 disabilities simultaneously, to a survivor after physical, speech, and occupational therapy. This is her unique service proposition and gives me insight NO textbook can offer. My journey fuels our solutions with lived credibility and resilience. Her passion is to transform the global mindset of accessibility and inclusion for everyone to EMBRACE disability as a natural part of life and to ensure people with disabilities are not left behind. She also holds an extensive background of over 25 years in the Training and Development industry which adds additional value.
On top of the accolades and being an ambassador, advocate and champion within the disability community, EMBRACE 2 Learn Inc. and/or Michelle have been:
- Media Recognition (e.g., City of Brampton, Mississauga Newsletter)
- Article – Beyond Buzz Words: Diversity and Inclusion are Key to Economic Success (https://www.innovatingcanada.ca/industry-and-business/employee-wellness-and-total-rewards/beyond-buzzwords-diversity-and-inclusion-are-key-to-economic-success/)
- Keynote Speaker for the ‘Virtual' Ontario Alliance of Black School Educators 6th Annual Conference: Empowering Educational Excellence Through Equity.
- Co-Presenter for the 2021 CANNEXUS21 Virtual Conference: 6th Annual Canada’s Career Development Conference.
- Keynote Speaker covering Building an Accessibility Culture: Transform the Disability Landscape for the Fempire Builders Summit.
- Featured on The Edge, A Leader's Show (2024)
- Featured on the Enterprise Show via SilverTrust Media (2024)
- Ambassador and Champion for Epilepsy Toronto
- Top 25 PDF Accessibility Remediation Vendors of North America
EMBRACE 2 Learn Inc. as a business and Michelle Buckland as an individual contributor sit on Accessibility Advisory Committees to help create an accessible Canada, add input to legislation, support the community of people with disabilities, and build awareness for accessibility, inclusion, and diversity. This includes:
- City of Brampton Accessibility Advisory Committee
- Metrolinx Accessibility Advisory Committee
- (Past) Barrier-free Board Member
- Diversity Works Project Steering Committee (via CASE) - focused on BIPOC people with disabilities
- Accessibility Standards Canada (+ attended the Accessible Canada Roadmap forum in January 2025)
One in four – 14% -- of people with disabilities belong to the BIPOC community (Statistics Canada, December 2020) which is half of the 27% Canadian population that live with a disability. Based on collected research, approximately 400 Black businesses – of ACBN’s base – can benefit/be positively impacted on all the services EMBRACE 2 Learn Inc. provides. Currently, 50% of our contractors belong to the BIPOC community...equal representation.
Black people experience disability as not only limiting in the conventional ways it is assumed to be, but also as a reminder of racist oppression and/or as perceived evidence of racial inferiority. The history, implications, and function of ableism in the Black community are different than in the white community or other communities of color. This history includes medical, scientific, higher low-poverty rates, and labor exploitation of Black communities.
People can face different types of discrimination that combine and overlap – some even encounter physical harm due to ignorance (i.e., lack of knowledge). This is called intersectionality. For example, a black woman who uses a wheelchair or needs accommodations might face ableism, racism and sexism at the same time.
Unfortunately, there is a lot of stigma within the black community due to our own unconscious bias/prejudices and/or upbringing when it comes to disabilities. It is just something you don't talk about or disclose. This adds to the level of ignorance which is what also motivates EMBRACE 2 Learn Inc. to stay committed in this space of building awareness, changing mindsets, and help transform the disability landscape.
Language(s) and culture interpretation would be better understood and addressed with less stigma. The black community will have more and efficient access to assistive technology, increased participation in the labour market, additional and customized community support, better accommodation(s) in the school system, and hopefully in the law enforcement for a better understanding and treatment of disabilities a black person faces and/or encounters. Our social purpose will definitely help transform attitudes and embed change socially, professionally, and economically throughout the black community. This encompasses how and when people with disabilities from the black community are served from a medical, scientific, law enforcement, labour, emotional, physical and financial stability perspective.
The simple principles…accommodate, hire, respect and design for the widest range of people will benefit EVERYONE. The results and impact(s) are immeasurably successful with satisfied customers, no costly retrofits, corporate responsibility, dedicated employees, happy users, community, and return on investment!