Province Declares Disability Employment Awareness Month in October

Released on October 1, 2016

The Government of Saskatchewan is pleased to proclaim the month of October as Disability Employment Awareness Month (DEAM).

This is an opportunity to raise awareness of the employment barriers that many people with disabilities face. It is also an opportunity to promote strategies and services that aim to eliminate these barriers, ultimately creating more inclusive and diverse workplaces.

“Saskatchewan is committed to creating a culture of opportunity for all, where everyone can achieve their training and employment goals,” Minister of the Economy Jeremy Harrison said. “Our province benefits from a labour force that is diverse and inclusive and we will continue to enhance this labour force so it can continue to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow.”

In June 2015, a comprehensive Disability Strategy was released by the Government of Saskatchewan. It includes six priority areas including: transportation, respite, accessibility legislation, residential services, service co-ordination and navigation, and awareness/understanding of the rights of people experiencing disabilities.

“One of the recommendations in the Saskatchewan Disability Strategy is to expand the social and economic inclusion for individuals experiencing disabilities,” Social Services Minister Tina Beaudry-Mellor said. “Proclaiming Disability Employment Awareness Month provides us with another great opportunity to champion the inclusion of people experiencing disabilities in the labour market as we continue to work together to make Saskatchewan a more accessible, inclusive and welcoming province.”

“Disability Employment Awareness Month is a great time to recognize and celebrate inclusive employment champions across the province and to educate employers about the opportunities and positive economic impact that hiring people of all abilities holds for their businesses” SARC Executive Director Amy MacNeil said. “Hiring individuals experiencing disability has proven to increase retention rates, positively impact safety records, decrease absenteeism, and create inclusive corporate cultures.”

Employers can connect with employment professionals in their area and learn more about inclusive employment by visiting EmployLink (www.employlink.ca), an employment network designed to connect job seekers and employers to employment professionals. The website also features resources for educators and others interested in learning more about supported employment. On October 20, SARC will co-host a luncheon with the Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce featuring a presentation from Mark Wafer on the “Economic Case for Inclusive Employment”. Wafer is the owner of six Tim Hortons franchises and speaks internationally about the positive impact Inclusive Employment has had on his business.

For more details on this event and other DEAM information and resources, visit the SARC website at www.sarcsarcan.ca/pages/deam.

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For more information, contact:

Deb Young
Economy
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4765
Email: deb.young@gov.sk.ca

Nicole Linzmeyer
SARC
Saskatoon
Phone: 306-933-0616 ext. 252
Email: nlinzmeyer@sarcan.sk.ca

Leya Moore
Social Services
Regina
Phone: Phone: 306-787-3610
Email: leya.moore@gov.sk.ca

Province Declares Disability Employment Awareness Month in October

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