Who We Are

The Canadian Association of Instructional Designers (ACCP-CAID) is a bilingual pan-Canadian association that provides Instructional Designers with a training, networking, and expertise-sharing environment.

Mission

“To strengthen the capacity of instructional designers to act and undertake projects by fostering their professional development and networking, and by recognizing and promoting the profession in the various environments where it is practised.”

Vision

“To become the Canadian reference organization for the recognition of the instructional designer profession.”

Values

Engagement

Creativity

Inclusion

Professionalism

Integrity

History of ACCP-CAID

May 2009: Inspiration & Realization

  • Carolle Roy attends CNIE conference in Ottawa
  • Identifies widespread concerns about lack of ID training and recognition
  • Begins outreach to connect IDs across Canada

February 2: The First Call

  • Sent invitation to 58 IDs for a virtual meeting

  • Aim: form a professional association

November 2009: First Virtual Meeting

  • 22 attendees
  • 64% agree to form an association
  • Key discussions: terminology (especially in French), need for networking & structure
  • Outcomes:
    • Forum launched (Ning site)
    • Temporary name brainstorming
    • Skills-sharing list started

July 2010: Founding Committee Formed

  • Founders:
    • Carolle Roy
    • Jill Campbell
    • Éric Chamberland
    • Brigitte Belzile
  • Tasks: 
    • Draft by-laws
    • Define mission
    • Design accreditation model
    • Governance structure

August 2011: Structure Solidifies

  • Website built (Joomla)
  • Accreditation model & Membership process finalized

September 15, 2011: Association Launch

  • ACCP-CAID announced in Canadian training networks

October 2011: Community Re-engagement

  • Email survey sent to original participants to identify Member needs

September 23, 2011: Official Incorporation

  • Letters patent received from Corporations Canada
  • ACCP-CAID officially incorporated

June 8, 2012: First Workshop

  • Format based on Member feedback
  • Offered English interpretation

Summer 2012: Tech & Legal Updates

  • Website migrated to PHP
  • Mailing list added
  • By-laws revised to comply with new nonprofit legislation

March 15, 2013

  • Compliance Achieved
  • Certificate of continuance granted under new federal regulations

2013: Masterclasses Launched

  • Initially on-demand, then expanded into a full schedule

May 2014: All-for-One Initiative Begins

  • Initially on-demand, then expanded into a full schedule

2015-2020: Growth & Visibility

  • Membership grows steadily (~90 Members by 2020)
  • CNIE partnership
  • Employer and academic awareness campaigns

2020–2023: Pandemic Slowdown

  • COVID-19 and leadership transitions limit activity

March 2024: Professionalization

  • Hired Communications Officer
  • Website redesigned for modern UX

 

2024-2025: Governance Renewal

  • New operations & governance strategies
  • Task automation & funding strategies in progress
  • Continued focus on sustainable professional networking

2025-2026: Launch of the new ACCP-CAID Brand

  • Updated website
  • Improved digital workflows
  • New Member features
  • New Levels of Admission (Non-Certified Associate and Community Access)

Interested in reading the full ACCP-CAID history?

Our founder Carolle Roy tells the full history of how ACCP-CAID was initiated, grown, and sustained over the last 15 years.