Administered by Government of Canada · Last verified: July 2026
Ready, Willing and Able is a federally funded national program that helps employers hire people with an intellectual disability or on the autism spectrum. It is free to employers and works in every province and territory, matching a business's hiring needs with qualified candidates and providing hands-on support to onboard them. It is delivered by Inclusion Canada and the Autism Alliance of Canada and does not use wage subsidies. Federal funding of about $30 million runs the program to 2027.
Review times vary by program, from a few weeks to a few months, so check the official page for its timeline. Grant money is usually paid after you sign a funding agreement, and cost-shared programs often reimburse you once you send proof of what you spent.
Take the 3-minute quiz to find out, and see every other Canadian program you qualify for at the same time.
Check my eligibilityReady, Willing and Able (RWA) Employer Program is generally open to incorporated, self-employed, partnership businesses, in any province or territory. Confirm the full criteria on the official program page before applying.
The estimated value is $0 cost to employers (federally funded program, roughly $30M to 2027). The actual amount depends on your eligible costs, the program's budget, and approval.
1. Confirm you have a role to fill 2. Contact the local Ready, Willing and Able coordinator 3. Share your hiring needs and timeline 4. Get matched with qualified candidates 5. Use RWA onboarding support for the new hire
Ongoing (federal funding to 2027).