Take part in disability employment awareness month

October is Disability Employment Awareness Month (DEAM) and to help spread awareness, CBC Calgary is highlighting stories from job seekers and inclusive employers. Stay tuned for their stories and learn about upcoming DEAM events happening in Calgary throughout the month below. 

Read first-person stories:

• Lionel Migrino | Saying they can't hire me because I have cerebral palsy broke me because I can't change that about myself

• Athena Cooper | I had to hire myself and spent much of my early adulthood living below the poverty line

• Holly Singer | To accommodate hiring people with disabilities requires the same accommodations as hiring anyone

• Chantelle Robisnon | Accommodation is typically not complicated nor expensive

• Stuart Kirton | Hiring inclusive has brought nothing but positivity to our business, says VDG Salumi founder

• Sean Crump | Living with a disability created new obstacles and challenges that require patience and creativity

Attend an upcoming DEAM Alberta event:

• Oct. 6 | 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. | Mobility Change Makers YYC - Swap Chairs for a Day 
  • Spend a day in a wheelchair and understand some of the challenges a person with a mobility disability must overcome to achieve independence, self-reliance, inclusive employment and full community participation.
  • RSVP here
     
• Oct. 6 | 1:00. - 5:00 p.m. |Get Inspired: Entrepreneurship & Disability
  • Calling all Calgary Entrepreneurs with Disabilities - we're looking for you to join us for this pop-up market/seminar. Show off your business and network with other entrepreneurs. Included in this event is a seminar, on entrepreneurship.
  • RSVP here
     
• Oct. 12 + 13 | 5:00 - 10:00 p.m. + 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. | DEAM Alberta IDEA Conference
  • Join attendees in the HR, Talent Recruitment, Disability and Human Services sectors, inclusive employers and community members and advocates from across Alberta for two days of networking, connection, insights and learning. Keynote Speaker: Elise Ahenkorah
  • Get your tickets here
     
• Oct. 20 | 9:00 - 12:00 p.m. | Worktopia Connects 2022 
  • This half-day hybrid event features presentations and dialogue focused on changing the odds of employment success for people on the autism spectrum.
  • RSVP here
     

What is DEAM? 

Despite the considerable efforts that have been made to diversify the Canadian and Albertan labour force, people with disabilities still face significant barriers to entering the workforce and securing employment. DEAM presents an important opportunity to discuss, explore and collaborate to solve this issue – by working to identify and remove existing barriers and provide awareness and education for Canadians with disabilities from participating fully in work and society.