Abbreviated in length, but inspired by change, February is a time to do more, with less.
The National Jewish Council for Disabilities established North American Inclusion Month to recognize the need for more opportunities for people with disabilities. The initiative aims to do more than just improve our understanding of a person with a disability’s needs and aspirations for 28 days. It aspires to create action toward change, and to produce a more positive approach that prevails for 365.
With the purpose of making people with disabilities feel the same sense of belonging to society as everyone else, North American Inclusion Month encourages interaction with people with disabilities. The initiative discourages people from letting their worries and fears of offensive speech and action segregate themselves, as the exclusion of people with disabilities is the worst treatment.
North American Inclusion Month focuses primarily on education and employment, key areas at a time when people with disabilities are significantly underemployed. In 2014, Statistics Canada reported that the employment rate for Canadians with a disability remained 30 per cent below the general population. The survey also found that among Canadians with a disability, 12 per cent reported their condition resulted in the refusal of a job in the previous five years. The survey concluded that some employers hesitate to hire people with disabilities for reasons including, but not limited to: insufficient knowledge about disability and accommodation issues, cost-related worries, and legal obligations.
Talent Specialist at Rangle.io, and former recruiter at Career Edge, notable alumna of the GWD program Marlies Farrill shared her thoughts on supporting people with disabilities.
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