This week the City of St. John’s officially proclaimed October as Disability Employment Month.
The City is partnering with MentorAbility Canada and Bannerman Brewing Company to acknowledge the annual awareness campaign. The campaign celebrates the business success and benefits from hiring with a focus on diversity, while advocating for more businesses to review their recruitment process.
The CEO of Avalon Employment, Sean Wiltshire, says people wish to shop in places that reflect the community in which they live.
Wiltshire says being inclusive looks different in every workplace. He says sometimes it’s as simple as moving a desk, or switching someone’s office to a different floor.
He says businesses in the city are looking for skilled workers, and people with disabilities have the skills, the hurdle is just the accommodations they may need. Wiltshire says with the labour shortage and aging demographic, a diverse workforce is needed now more than ever.