This September, British Columbia will celebrate inclusive employers and the contributions of people with disabilities in the workplace with the third-annual Disability Employment Month.
This recognition of meaningful employment for people with disabilities is an integral part of Accessibility 2024, the 10-year action plan to make B.C. the most progressive province in Canada for people with disabilities.
During the month of September, WorkBC Employment Services Centres throughout British Columbia will host open houses, job fairs and workshops to highlight the range of services and supports available to help job seekers with disabilities, as well as resources for employers who want to hire people with disabilities and build inclusive workplaces.
A network of B.C. business leaders – the Presidents Group – champion employment and consumer opportunities and improved outcomes for people with disabilities. Presidents Group members are actively encouraging employers to hire more people with disabilities and share their collective learnings on the recruitment, hiring and retention of employees with disabilities with other employers.
Employers from all sectors of British Columbia recognize the benefits people with disabilities bring to the workplace.
For example, Vancity recently identified a business need within their enterprise-wide information technology upgrade project that aligned with the skill sets of people on the autism spectrum and hired eight people who have been on the job since December 2015.
Another B.C. employer, Pacific Bolt Manufacturing, recently hired Jamie, a young man with an intellectual disability as a facilities technician, responsible for sorting, packaging and janitorial duties. Jamie was hired through Ready, Willing and Able, a national initiative designed to increase labour force participation of people with intellectual disabilities and autism.
The City of Surrey, a public sector organization with 4,000 employees, is also working hard to become a “disability confident” employer.
Surrey has hired people with disabilities for a variety of roles, including athletes with disabilities, like former Paralympian Alison Kabush, who works as an instructor for Surrey’s sports and recreation programs, including the Boccia program, an adapted version of Bocce for players aged six years and up.
Each of these employers understands that hiring people with disabilities is good for business. Almost 90% of consumers prefer companies that employ people with disabilities, according to a study cited in a conference board report.
Job seekers and employers can contact their local WorkBC Employment Services Centre to learn more about inclusive hiring resources and services and supports to help people with disabilities obtain employment.
