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September is Disability Employment Awareness Month

This September marks the fourth annual Disability Employment Month in BC
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This September marks the fourth annual Disability Employment Month in BC and provides the perfect opportunity to highlight the skills and abilities of employees with disabilities and the inclusive employers that support their success in the workplace.

Throughout September, WorkBC Employment Services Centres, organizations, and communities across the province will hold open houses, job fairs, workshops and appreciation events to acknowledge employers who are making their businesses more inclusive to the skills and abilities of people with disabilities.

Many people with disabilities are highly educated and have comparable skills to people without disabilities. This stigma of people with disabilities leaves the workforce with an important and largely untapped talent pool. Several local Creston employers have realized the benefit of hiring people with disabilities, creating engaging and diverse businesses.

Creston’s Inclusive Employers provide people with disabilities the opportunity to contribute to the local economy and earn an income to better support themselves and their families. Employment also helps the workers feel good about themselves as a contributing member of society.

Kootenay Employment Services (KES) offers a full suite of programs for clients with disabilities. Since the launch of the provincial Employment Program of BC, in 2012, KES has served 265 clients who self-identified as having multiple barriers and 300 clients who self-identify as having one barrier to employment.

Creston job seekers and employers can contact KES to learn more about the resources and supports available to people with disabilities to obtain employment.