October is National Disability Employment Awareness month, and Employment First Community Living North Bay is shining the spotlight on local community members with intellectual disabilities.
It’s the mission of Employment First to help these individuals find meaningful employment. At the same time, they also educate employers by dispelling myths when it comes to hiring someone with a disability.
Employment First’s Employment Specialists work with employers to find the right fit for the candidate and the company.
Employers quickly realize the positives of having someone with a disability join their team.
Unwavering dedication and loyalty are two big qualities which are typical of these candidates. “We work with candidates that are motivated, reliable and dependable,” Mannering said. “They can work, want to work and make a positive contribution to the workplace.”
In an era when employers may struggle to find suitable candidates on the ultra-competitive job market, let alone keep them, when given a chance to prove their worth, individuals with disabilities often exceed expectations. Seeing these individuals in the workplace also fosters a more inclusive environment.
Retention rates are 72 per cent higher among people with disabilities, and 78 per cent of Canadians say they’re more likely to purchase a product or service from a business who hires people with disabilities.
“Hiring a qualified candidate brings greater benefits beyond filling the job,” Mannering said. “Research shows diverse teams that include employees with disabilities are often more creative and productive.
”Customers with disabilities, their families and friends represent a huge market for businesses. When they see businesses are hiring more inclusively, that may drive them to shop there.”
Employment First Community Living North Bay helps employers become disability confident by offering onboard training in the form of job coaching. They work side by side with the candidate to help them get acclimated to their new job.
On Thursday October 20th, Employment First celebrates National Disability Employment Awareness Month by hosting their third annual North Bay Battalion Game Night at Memorial Gardens.
During the game, they’ll showcase some of the local success stories pairing candidates with employers. Employment First is also challenging local businesses and organizations across Canada to Light it Up! For NDEAM (National Disability Employment Awareness Month).
Light it Up! will see buildings lit up purple and blue for one night only. For the second year in a row, Light it Up! For NDEAM goes national thanks for collaborative effort from the Ontario Disability Employment Network (ODEN).
Fans in attendance at the Battalion can meet members of the Employment First team and learn first-hand about the crucial services they provide the community.
“By participating in National Disability Employment Awareness Month and Light it Up! For NDEAM, businesses and organizations will recognize the many ways people with disabilities who live in our region contribute to our local business,” Mannering said.
Universal access to employment in the community is a right that everyone should have. Thanks to the hard work by Employment First, everyone has that chance for meaningful inclusion in the workplace, to develop their skills and showcase their abilities.
If your business is interested in becoming an employment partner with Community Living North Bay, visit CommunityLivingNorthBay.org or Employment First’s Facebook page.
