As an active member of JOIN (Job Opportunity Information Network), a network of community agencies of the Greater Toronto Area assisting persons with disabilities in finding and maintaining employment, Career Edge Organization is working collaboratively with 25 member agencies to help connect employers with pre-screened, career-minded Canadian college and university graduates with self-declared disabilities. Our Ability Edge paid internships provide meaningful work experience for persons with disabilities while guiding employers through the recruiting, hiring and integrating process.
Ability Edge Program currently has over 600 active registrants in the areas of Business (29%), Arts/Humanities (35%), Information Technology (13%), Engineering (2%) and Health/Sciences (9%).
Career Edge Organization is one of the key sponsors of JOIN’s 8th Annual Employer Conference, “Leading with Action” taking place November 21-22, 2011. Please note that the “Early Bird Rate” (discount) for registration ends September 15th.
Highlights of JOIN’s 8th Annual Employer Conference, Leading with Action includes:
- Global Business Leadership Network Summit for senior business leaders
- Networking opportunities
- Interactive workshops facilitated by industry leaders, subject experts and diversity-related practitioners
- Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA): impacts on business in 2012 and onwards
- 2011 Employer and Entrepreneur Awards
- Keynote presenters, entertainers and special guests
People with disabilities are an underutilized and well educated labor force that can add a wealth of skills and diversity to the workplace. Yet the gap between people with disabilities and the greater population in terms of employment rate is still wide. Consider the facts:
- Employment rate of persons with disabilities (ages 25-54): 51% vs. Employment rate of general population, ages 25-54: 81% (Stats Canada 2001 PALS)
- Post secondary education rate of persons with disabilities is 52% – quite comparable to the non-disabled population (59%) (Earnings and Employment Trends Dec 2003 – BC Stats)
So employers are subsequently missing out on the benefits that this diverse and qualified group has to offer.
JOIN’s Employer Conference, “Leading with Action,” will address these and many other issues. Learn about best practices for disability inclusion; get the tools to be a leader in this field.We hope to see you there!