ROAD TO INCLUSION
People with disabilities are under-represented in the work force. The question is: Why is this important to business owners?
People with disabilities are experienced problem solvers with a proven ability to adapt. What's more, they mirror an important and increasingly expanding customer base. To access the widest pool of talent, employers must foster an inclusive and flexible work culture that considers the needs of all employees and potential employees, including those with disabilities.
The talent market is shrinking - workers are aging, leaving fewer skilled workers in the workforce every year. Smaller companies and privately owned businesses have already successfully traveled the road to inclusion. However, larger companies and corporations have yet to discover the possibilities, abilities and potential of people with disabilities.
Statistics show that people with disabilities also bring to the workplace other attributes that make them valued employees. Consider these statistics from a 2001 Statistics Canada Survey:
90 per cent of people with disabilities did as well or better at their jobs than their non-disabled co-workers
86 per cent rated average or better in attendance
Staff retention was 72 per cent higher among persons with disabilities
Through continued awareness, accommodation and accessibility, people with disabilities are increasingly becoming an integral part of local workforce. Employers and co-workers are learning to look beyond the disability and work with the person to help them succeed.
On March 30, Yorkton will celebrate Saskatchewan's first annual Supported Employment Month. Partners in Employment will be hosting a luncheon in honor of those Employers who have already enjoyed the many benefits of inclusion and diversification.
Among those employers are the following:
YORKTON CO-OP - Winner of the Saskatchewan Employer of Excellence Award (Medium Employer Category - Employs 50 - 150 employees).
On the 8th of March, 2011 the Employer of Excellence Award for Medium Employer was awarded to the Yorkton Co-op in recognition of their excellence in supported employment.
For the past five years, the Yorkton Co-op has collaborated with Partners in Employment to provide an inclusive working environment for individuals with various barriers to employment. They exemplify the true meaning of Supported Employment.
The Co-op has provided many employment and work-related skills enhancement opportunities to individuals with disabilities or other employment barriers. The management provides training and leadership opportunities to their staff in order to promote independence, confidence and self-esteem. The staff is friendly and caring, creating an incredibly supportive environment for individuals with varying abilities; we call these "natural supports."
Natural supports include such things as utilizing employee mentors to train individuals, matching job skills with individual abilities and the scheduling of shifts and hours to match individual needs. Partners in Employment views the Yorkton Co-op as a business leader within the community; creating social awareness and ending social stigmas surrounding employing people with disabilities.
People with varying abilities CAN work, and we would like to thank the Yorkton Co-op for providing employment opportunities for this marginalized group. The Co-op staff model a true "work place team", supporting one another and providing the best service possible to their customers. This team fosters growth and development within the Co-op's employees, and adds to the success of supported employment clients.
The Co-op's winning attitude, combined with patience and support have provided our clients the opportunity to succeed and become contributing members of this community.
MANO'S RESTAURANT - Winner of the Saskatchewan Employer of Excellence Award (Small Employer Category - Employs less than 50 employees)
On the 8th of March, 2011 the Employer of Excellence Award for Small Employer was awarded to Mano's Restaurant in recognition of their excellence in supported employment.
George and Irene Stamatinos, owners of Manos Restaurant in Yorkton, have employed many people with disabilities over the last 10 years. Their experiences of working with people with disabilities have been extremely positive. They agree that hiring and supporting people with disabilities has been a successful endeavor for their business.
In the beginning they didn't have much experience with people who have disabilities and felt they wouldn't have enough time to provide training. Through Partners in Employment, job coaches were provided to train individuals until they were confident enough to fulfill their job duties on their own.
George and Irene continue to work closely with Partners in Employment. When they identify a need to hire someone, they contact Partners in Employment to find the right person and the right fit. They have independently sought out practical solutions offering a naturally supportive environment to help integrate people with disabilities into their workplace. Mano's Restaurant is a highly successful employer in creating an inclusive culture that favors all employees.
FOCUSING ON ABILITIES
SHERRING GOLD JEWELLERS - Employers need to focus on what a person with a disability can do, rather than what they can't do. This was the approach taken when Sherring Gold Jewellers hired Tim Soloshy as an apprentice Goldsmith in 1999. Tim is hearing impaired and has Cerebral Palsy.
Today, Tim has become an essential member of their staff. He is solely in charge of the trophy department and can be relied upon to be responsible for undertaking all jewellery repairs and resizing.
Bryce Sherring, owner of Sherring Gold, understood there may be some barriers that would need to be overcome when hiring Tim but remained confident that there was always a workable solution.
Bryce readily shares his experiences with other employers and dispels myths and misconceptions about hiring someone with a disability. He promotes the integration into the workforce of individuals with disabilities, emphasizing the importance of not making assumptions about someone's abilities or impacts on the workplace.
There is a perception that people with disabilities can only fill entry-level positions. The belief is that people with disabilities do not have the knowledge or experience required for more skilled roles. Data shows this is clearly not the case.
In 2006, 74.6 per cent of working age (25 to 64) adults with disabilities had a high school diploma or higher educational certification.
