Did you know that there is a significant unemployment rate amongst people with disabilities? This is largely due to misconceptions and lack of information. People with disabilities can and do want to work.
Manuel is a young adult from North Vancouver who really wanted to work in a pizza shop. He not only loves cooking and being around food but wanted to work in a fun and youthful environment. Last year, an Employment Specialist from North Shore ConneXions Society approached Ortin, Manager at Flying Wedge Pizza in Capilano Mall. They discussed the potential of creating a part-time position for Manuel. Ortin and the Employment Specialist brainstormed a job description and when he met Manuel, Ortin chose some preparation tasks that he could do which would free up one of the cooks for other duties. Manuel was up and running.
You may be an employer in the community who is curious about hiring someone with a disability. The Employment Specialist will work with you to find tasks and create a job description that will work for you and the new employee. When the individual starts working, ConneXions provides a job coach to assist with training and support for both you and the new employee - all at no cost to you.
Manuel started working at Flying Wedge in January and with the help of his co-workers and job coach, he learned his tasks and now continues to work independently. Ortin says, "Manuel always comes in to work with a smile on his face, everyone at the shop enjoys working with him."
Employers hire people with disabilities for the same reasons that they hire everyone else: skills, experience, ability and passion. Employers are able to see the tasks that their employees can do which will make them money and how it just makes sense for their bottom line. Manuel benefits by getting to experience a sense of accomplishment when he is at work. He is proud to tell people that he is working and can buy the things that he wants. His Mom says, "It's given him a deeper sense of self-esteem which spreads into every part of his life." If you are an employer who would like more information about including someone with a disability in your business, please call Carol Wainwright, Program Manager at 604-984-9321 or via email: [email protected].
We look forward to hearing from you!
