Continuing the theme of Disability Pride Month, here is a list of businesses owned by disabled and neurodiverse people in Ontario. There were 2485 businesses owned by disabled people in Ontario in 2021, according to BDO Canada, but it is very hard to find them via a search engine. Feel free to add yours in the comments.
I use the term disabled people instead of “people with disabilities” because disabled people is derived from the social model of disability (developed by disabled people), which emphasizes that people are disabled by inaccessible environments, rather than the disability being inherent to them, which is implied by “people with disabilities”.
Businesses owned by disabled people
Adaptability Canada
The leading business accessibility innovation company in Canada. They specialize in technology-enabled solutions that support the full spectrum of disabilities and enable superior customer and employee experiences for invisible disability design and inclusion, inclusive experience design for workplace, public, and commercial environments, improving and managing accessibility in complex real estate portfolios, and accessible procurement.
T Harris Environmental Management (THEM)
THEM is a leading Canadian environmental consulting firm specializing in Environmental Services, Hazardous Materials Management, and Occupational Health & Safety, and was recently certified as disabled-owned by the Inclusive Workplace and Supply Council of Canada.
A Statistics Canada Survey in early 2025 showed that 2.5% of Canadian private sector businesses – more than 25,000 companies – are majority-owned by disabled people, according to the Inclusive Workplace and Supply Council of Canada.
Businesses owned by neurodiverse people
Amy Smart – Author
Amy Smart grew up in Port Elgin, Ontario and has loved reading and writing stories from a very young age. She writes middle grade fiction. She now lives in Saskatchewan. She was diagnosed with ADHD and Autism in July 2024 and is hoping to raise awareness about both conditions while also promoting her work.
Ben Animalia
Benjamin Lachapelle is a 22-year-old Canadian Autistic artist and author-illustrator of children’s books about animals from Quebec. His work has been exhibited in numerous events and commissioned by organizations, businesses, and private collectors throughout North America.
KylesKiosk
Experiencing the world differently is Kyle’s gift, and these Malas represent how he experiences his world. Born with CHARGE syndrome, deafness and ASD, Kyle is learning to embrace all of life’s experiences, and these Malas are his gift to you.
Rainbow Sweets
Where Delight Meets Diversity! Based in Innisfil, Ontario, they are a family business that takes pride in being LGBTQ+ owned. They are also neurodiverse.
Together In Play
Colour conscious playdough and other resources to get children learning about race and inclusion.
See more at Diverse Mind Designs Makers Market – Autism Canada
Find out more
- Disability Pride Month – Carnelian Web Services Blog
- Accessible web pages – Carnelian Web Services Blog
- The Social Model of Disability Explained – The Social Creatures
- #disabled-owned business in Ontario – Facebook search
- Diverse Mind Designs (DMD) Makers Market – Autism Canada
- Shining an entrepreneurial spotlight on the disability community – BDO Canada
- Disability Business Grants
- 8 Funding Programs for Entrepreneurs with Disabilities in 2025
- EDP Business – Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program
- Accessibility in Ontario: information for businesses
Learn how you can make your business or organization more accessible and inclusive for all. - Business Grants for Disabled Adults in Canada – Show Me the Green
- Inclusive Workplace and Supply Council of Canada
A nationwide community of Disabled-Owned and Veteran-Owned businesses. - Disability Support Program Funding for Small Business
Ontario Government Disability Support Programs Disability Business Grants Canada – RIDM
Financial assistance programs offered by various government agencies and non-profit organizations in Canada to support individuals with disabilities in starting or expanding their own businesses.- Canadian Business Disability Inclusion Network
Canada’s only national business-led network committed to advancing disability inclusion.
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