The Honourable Al Hawkins, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour, has declared October Disability Employment Awareness Month.
Disability Employment Awareness Month celebrates the many contributions of workers with disabilities and recognizes the leadership of inclusive employers who educate Newfoundlanders and Labradorians about disability employment issues and the benefits of inclusion for all people. Currently, October is recognized as Disability Employment Awareness Month in British Columbia, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. It is also recognized by the United Nations.
The full text of the declaration is provided in the backgrounder below.
The Provincial Government recently signed Workforce and Labour Market Development Agreements with the Federal Government that will provide $949 million over six years to support programs, such as the Supported Employment Program, to break down barriers to employment that impact persons under-represented in our workforce.
Through The Way Forward, the Provincial Government is also developing a Comprehensive Human Resource Plan to support sector diversification and the development of a productive and knowledge-intensive economy, which will consider the needs of all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. The Way Forward outlines all actions the Provincial Government is taking to achieve a strong, diversified province with a high standard of living, and can be viewed at thewayforward.gov.nl.ca.
Quotes “All Newfoundlanders and Labradorians deserve the opportunity to more fully participate in their communities. We recognize the importance of removing barriers to employment and of supporting equal opportunities in the labour force. We are pleased to recognize Disability Employment Awareness Month and to help make a positive difference in the lives of people with disabilities.” Honourable Al Hawkins Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour
“Our government is committed to creating environments that facilitate greater participation in our communities, employment opportunities and public services. Inclusion benefits all residents of our province, and is good for businesses and our economy. As October marks Disability Employment Awareness Month, we are encouraged to celebrate and acknowledge the many contributions that persons with disabilities make to our workplaces as employers and employees, and challenge ourselves to recognize negative stereotypes and other barriers that exclude people from fully participating in society.” Honourable Lisa Dempster Minister Responsible for the Status of Persons with Disabilities
“Disability Employment Awareness Month helps inform our province’s employers about the potential of people with disabilities. Making this declaration supports all of our efforts to build the human capital of our province and is a valuable step towards increasing inclusion.” Shelley Andrews Supported Employment Newfoundland & Labrador
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Ryan Crocker
Advanced Education, Skills and Labour
709-729-1795, 725-9595
ryancrocker@gov.nl.ca
Gina MacArthur
Children, Seniors and Social Development
709-729-3768, 730-2977
ginamacarthur@gov.nl.ca
Shelley Andrews
Employment Counsellor, Avalon Employment
579-4866
shelley@avalonemploy.com
BACKGROUNDER
Declaration of October being Disability Employment Awareness Month
Whereas: A strong workforce is one inclusive of the skills and talents of all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians;
Whereas: Newfoundlanders and Labradorians with disabilities constitute a growing population and experience issues which require positive change including disproportionate unemployment, poverty and labour market exclusion;
Whereas: The employment inclusion of people with disabilities benefits all our citizens;
Whereas: The awareness of said benefits and the innumerable success stories of employment inclusion serve to positively promote inclusion of people with disabilities in the provincial workforce; and
Whereas: The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is committed to increase employment inclusion for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians through the provision of leadership, resources and ongoing opportunities for dialogue and engagement.
Now therefore, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador hereby proclaims the month of October, in perpetuity as: : Disability Employment Awareness Month.