October 04, 2022
October is
National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) and we’re launching an
exciting campaign! At March of Dimes Canada (MODC), we’re helping job seekers with disabilities succeed in a digital world.
It matters: In Canada’s changing employment landscape, tech skills are becoming increasingly vital — regardless of the sector. We believe everyone can contribute to our workplaces and communities when they’re given access to impactful programs, opportunities, and support.
Now is the time to take real action: The tech industry is growing rapidly. In 2021, tech firms in Canada hired a combined 100,000 workers, according to new research published by the Computing Technology Industry Association. The demand is dramatically increasing for workers with digital skills. Currently, 80 per cent of Canadian business leaders are seeking workers with digital skills and Canada is estimated to have 2 million new technology jobs by 2025. Yet, right now, people with disabilities are often under-represented and marginalized in the workplace. They are at risk of being left further behind.
We want to change that.
“We know that people with disabilities have so much to offer employers — and that organizations have everything to gain by creating equitable and inclusive opportunities for Canadians (of or with) all abilities,” says Lesley Smith, Vice President, Employment Services and MODC’s Chief Accessibility Officer. “The time to act is now: evolving the culture of inclusive hiring benefits everyone. Learn how we’re committed to advancing opportunities for Canadians with disabilities by reading our impactful stories during our campaign. Our biggest goal with our NDEAM Campaign is to broaden this impact exponentially, by forging new relationships with both individuals and businesses.”
We’re dedicated to moving the dial not only by working with leading organizations to create a more inclusive, barrier-free society where all individuals can thrive — but also by partnering with individuals leading the charge in the disability space. “March of Dimes Canada is proud to partner with industry leaders who share our vision,” says Gift Tshuma, MODC Assistive Technology Specialist and NDEAM Spokesperson. “As a person who lives with a disability — and empowers others to use assistive technology — I know that when we remove digital barriers there’s no limit to what people with disabilities can achieve in the workforce.”
At MODC, we know people with disabilities can and will make an important contribution in tech and tech-enabled roles. That’s why we’re leading the way toward creating real change by partnering with industry leaders who share our values. Together, we’re ensuring people with disabilities can find rewarding jobs in a rapidly changing employment landscape.
We’re excited to
share four incredible opportunities to help people with disabilities get on the path to financial security, innovative
TELUS Tech for Good,
Central Reach’s avail® app, made possible thanks to TD Bank group, and the
Tech for Impact Fund (we’re
taking applications now until
Friday, October 28!). Plus, we’re launching an
exciting new program with leading tech-industry partners on
Tuesday, October 18 — follow us on social media for the big reveal!
For the best way to find out how Employment Services can support you to find a job or for employers to recruit employees:
Job seekers interested in participating in one of our tech-based programs — or would like to learn more about our other programs and services — can
fill out this job seeker form and a member of our team will contact you to learn about your goals and needs.
Employers interested in advancing the culture of inclusive hiring and create a dynamic and equitable workplace can
fill out this employer form to get started.
