Ontario Government to Develop Strategies for Hiring People With Disabilities

Partnership Council on Employment Opportunities for People with Disabilities recommends the ontario government for developing a plan for hiring people with disabilities. It also emphasized that the disabled also should be considered for employment in the civil service and other public sectors.It also wants a dedicated cabinet minister and a deputy minister to be responsible for the hiring. Strategies such as mentorship programs has to be developed to help more youth with disabilities enter the labor market.

It also recommends a new marketing campaign to raise awareness of the value of hiring people with disabilities that would build on the momentum from this summer's Parapan Am Games in Toronto.

Economic Development and Employment Minister Brad Duguid said, "The government is committed to building an accessible province and will take steps to promote the hiring of people with disabilities. It will work with businesses of all sizes to create a culture of inclusion in workplaces.”

"Businesses that hire people with disabilities can strengthen their talent base, increase their potential for innovation and enhance their ability to serve new markets. That's how inclusive employment can help build an innovative, next generation economy for Ontario," said Duguid.

In June, Duguid announced an update to the 10-year-old Access for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, with initiatives geared towards making businesses more accessible to both future customers and prospective employees.

It called for the government to spend $9 million over the next two years on a program dubbed Valuing Ability, which will provide job training for disabled post-secondary graduates. There will also be a loan program for companies that hire and retain staff with disabilities.

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Source-Medindia