Celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness month.
The province is recognizing National Disability Employment Awareness Month
throughout October by promoting the benefits of hiring people with disabilities and creating inclusive workplaces.
“Hiring employees of all abilities helps employers meet their goals and boosts productivity and innovation, said MPP Christine Hogarth.
The Ontario government is supporting 3,770 people with disabilities to find meaningful jobs in their communities by investing $6.5 million through the Skills Development Fund Training Stream for five innovative projects.
They are also giving businesses the resources to hire and create more inclusive workplaces and investing in the EnAbling Change Program to help make sectors more inclusive.
More companies are taking part in a drive to recognize disabilities.
“Job opportunities are especially important for people with disabilities because many face social and economic challenges,” Hogarth said. “When people with disabilities find meaningful work, they can participate more fully in our communities and economy.”
The province is working with Peel Career Assessment Services Inc.’s ‘Ability Works’ project to support equitable employment opportunities, providing career skills assessments and counselling to help job seekers with disabilities through Ontario Employment Assistance Services.
Roughly 2.6 million people in Ontario have a disability. This means roughly one in four Ontarians live with a disability and face various types of accessibility challenges in their everyday life.
On October 19 the government took part in the Ontario Disability Employment Network’s Light It Up! For NDEAM event as buildings across the province, including several provincial government buildings, will be lit in blue and purple to promote the month.
“Ontario is making workplaces more accessible and inclusive for everyone by funding and promoting inclusive employment opportunities.”
They are also creating awareness on how employers can access fresh talent and reach new customers by hiring people with disabilities and helping organizations to ensure their hiring process is more equitable based on an Accessible Recruitment Process Checklist.