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Bright lights, small city: part three
BY IAN SUTTON |
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For the first time in Canadian history, municipalities and partnering universities are being provided with tools to research best practices in creating financially-rewarding opportunities for new immigrants to establish lives in smaller cities and towns.
The goal is also to enrich the economies and cultural life of centres of less than half a million population. Yet some of the age-old attitudinal barriers such as racism continue to pose a challenge.
Welcoming Communities is the name of a joint research initiative between second- and third-tier cities in Ontario and the province’s universities. While similar initiatives are taking place in other parts of Canada, Ontario “just happens to be making a very strong push” in this direction right now, says Audrey Kobayashi, a geography professor at Queen’s University in Kingston...[ read more ] |
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| ETC global news briefs |
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Canada
The Learning Disabilities Association (LDA) of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario will receive funding of $61,554 under its Open Doors project from the Ontario Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities which will allow the organization to provide information workshops for local employers so that individuals with learning disabilities can carry out job descriptions in unlimited fields within the workplace...[ read more ] |
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| FYI Rixonway Kitchens |
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| Rixonway Kitchens is a West Yorkshire manufacturer located in the market town of Dewsbury, England. Founded in 1978, Rixonway prides itself on being the only UK kitchen manufacturer working solely in the affordable and social housing sector, as well as its continued commitment to employing persons with disabilities. In recognition of its efforts, the firm has been awarded the Double Tick accreditation by Jobcentre Plus for its positive attitude to employees with disabilities and has been commended by the Department of Work and Pensions for its “unique industry-leading approach” to disability and employability. Paul Rose is Rixonway’s managing director...[ read more ] |
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| MVP diversity champions |
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| The 2009 LATINA Style 50 Report has been released with its list of 50 Best Companies for Latinas to Work for in the US. The evaluation is based on opportunities for career advancement for Latinas such as mentoring programs, women’s issues, affinity groups and Hispanic relations. More than 800 of America’s most prominent corporations were surveyed. Healthcare provider Kaiser Permanente was named company of the year...[ read more ] |
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Ask a Consultant
BY EVELINA SILVEIRA |
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Dear Diversity@Work:
I am new employee in the HR department of a large organization. I have been briefed about the many problems this organization has had over the years, including alleged cases of workplace discrimination. Do you have any suggestions for me as to how I can be proactive in this area?
Worried
Dear Worried:
I don’t blame you for being concerned about the very serious issue of workplace discrimination. Workplace discrimination has huge affects on the employee, the business, as well as our economy. When people cannot be productive at their workplace we all miss out. You are wise to take a proactive approach, by demonstrating that workplace discrimination will not be tolerated. Here are a few best practices to consider... [ read more ] |
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POV Could disabled workers benefit from the shrinking labour force?
BY DONNA J. JODHAN |
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| A very interesting question for us to ponder this day but it should not come as either a shocker or shaker. With more and more aging baby boomers poised to exit the labour force, many are wondering if employers would be willing to drop their attitudinal barriers and look to the disabled persons’ labour force for help. There still exists the attitude that employers are not very willing or ready to hire disabled persons...[ read more ] |
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10 Ways to Welcome Workers with Disabilities: Toward an inclusive work environment
BY BONITA SUMMERS |
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Some people are born with disabilities; others encounter them later in life. In Canada, the employment rate for workers with disabilities has grown from 49.3% in 2001 to 53.5% in 2006. According to Statistics Canada, for the 16.6% of the Canadian population with disabilities, those with the most severe issues are the least likely to have technical aids or assistive devices that would allow them to work independently.
Workers with less visible conditions, such as dyslexia, rarely have access to assistive aids and may feel compelled to justify their need for help. Since there is little jurisprudence in regard to accommodation, it falls to employers to create policy that protects affected workers and encourages staff co-operation. What follows are suggestions for ensuring that workers with disabilities feel valued and understood in the workplace.... [ read more ] |
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