Project Summary
Project Coordinator: David Pereyra
BIG IDeA brings together businesses, customers with lived experience of disability and the next generation of business leaders to collaboratively advance accessibility innovation in Ontario and create a culture of accessibility and inclusion. The Inclusive Design Research Centre leads a consortium that is develop and implementing this BIG IDeA pilot. We are developing a platform to support businesses in Ontario in leading and innovating accessible and inclusive practices. 
Recognizing Innovators
BIG IDeA will support a process for nominating businesses that demonstrate exemplary and innovative practices so that they can be recognized and their accomplishment showcased online and through live events. Business innovation in inclusive design will be assessed through a dual process of continuous constructive customer reviews (& accessibility mapping events) combined with verification by a multi-stakeholder expert panel.
Engaging the Community
Students, youth and the larger community will be recruited and engaged in innovatively addressing accessibility goals through design challenge events such as hackathons, and design sprints.
Supporting Business
Businesses will be equipped to implement and innovate in accessibility through a growing open repository of training modules, tools, resources and reusable accessibility components.
Mapping an Inclusive Ontario
Customers with disabilities, including tourists and visitors, their families, and the groups they belong to, will be able to find businesses that address their accessibility needs through aggregated mapping tools of accessible businesses.
BIG IDeA will create a responsive ecosystem that advances accessibility for all customers in tandem with business innovation and global leadership in inclusive design to benefit the Ontario economy and Ontario communities.
Perspectives 