“A DIVERSE WORKFORCE AND THE INCLUSION OF TALENT FROM DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS MAKES OUR ORGANIZATION STRONGER AND WE APPRECIATE THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THOSE WITH DIFFERENT ABILITIES.” — Richard Taylor, President Niagara Casinos, Niagara Falls, ON
In today’s dynamic and competitive business landscape, there is rapidly increasing pressure on businesses both large and small to be on the cutting edge of innovative practices, processes, and products. In the face of an ageing population, and shrinking labour pool, we need to look to untapped talent sources to address the need for skilled labour in Canada.
Did you know: Nationwide, there are approximately 500,000 working-age adults with an intellectual disability or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), but only one in four is employed. There are hundreds of unfilled positions, for which these individuals are ready, willing and able to do the job. But we aren’t hiring them.
Why is this? A lack of information and understanding.
Across the country, many jobs go unfilled because individuals with an intellectual disability or ASD are not considered as potential candidates. Their strengths and talents are often overlooked due to outdated and false perceptions that focus on the ‘disability’ rather than the ‘ability’.
Common concerns for Canadian businesses in considering hiring an individual with a disability include:
- Productivity and performance
- Impact on corporate culture
- Impact on consumers
- Safety
- Cost of accommodations
These preconceived concerns about hiring employees with an intellectual disability or ASD averaged 42% higher than the challenges actually experienced in hiring them according to research from the Institute for Corporate Productivity. (Parrey, Davis, Lykins, Johnson, & Riehle, 2014)
“CLIENTS APPRECIATE THAT WE HIRE EMPLOYEES WITH AN INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY OR AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER – DIVERSITY GIVES US A COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE.” — Sarah Hunter, Co-owner Coop Coco & Calendula, Montreal QC
For more information about how inclusive hiring will work for you, contact RWA at: 902-394-0350 or rwa@peiacl.org