More than $380K in funding for campaign to encourage N.B. employers to be more inclusive

A new campaign to help educate employers on the benefits of hiring people with intellectual or developmental disabilities is being funded by the federal and provincial governments and the non-profit group Inclusion Canada.

The campaign, announced Wednesday in Fredericton, will feature an online employment hub that will be launched in early 2025. The hub will not be a typical job board, but instead a resource to help employers become more inclusive. 

Tara Werner, managing director of Inclusion New Brunswick's Inclusive Communities Institute, said the goal is to support and educate employers.

"With the right tools, strategies and resources, we can make inclusion a reality in a variety of different settings in our community," said Werner.

Inclusion New Brunswick will use the funding, just over $387,000, to create the hub. Werner said it will help employers connect and learn about the benefits of fostering inclusive education and employment opportunities. 

Debbie Thomas said her daughter is an example of how both employers and employees benefit from an inclusive workplace.

Kyra, who has a developmental disability, has been working for six years in retail. Thomas said during that time her daughter has gained independence as well as some financial stability.

"I've seen her thrive in all areas when she's properly supported to be able to learn and grow. This is no different from how we all learn and grow."

WATCH | 'The bigger picture is huge':

New funding to promote inclusive employment opportunities in N.B.

6 months ago

Duration 1:18

Together, ACOA, the province and Inclusion Canada are spending more than $300,000 helping employers hire people with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Debbie Thomas of Inclusion N.B. and her daughter Kyra talk about the benefits of these job opportunities.

Thomas said there are a lot of misconceptions about hiring people with disabilities. She said that 89 per cent of employees hired through Ready Willing and Able, an employment program delivered by Inclusion Canada, were rated as better than average for contributing to their companies' profit margin. 

Fredericton MP Jenica Atwin, who attended Wednesday's announcement, said the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency will contribute $231,478 toward the online hub. New Brunswick's Department of Education and Early Childhood Development will contribute $75,000 and Inclusion Canada provided $80,624.

Atwin said this announcement is important for inclusion in New Brunswick because the province has the second highest disability rate in Canada and she is glad to see more education for employers. 

"It's incredible to have training for employers. Sometimes those barriers exist is just not knowing how to support," she said.

Education Minister Bill Hogan said the funding will develop content to help people make informed decisions. 

"Ensuring that everyone has the support they need to make informed decisions is fundamental to a successful transition to life after high school, and this is why this tool is so very important," he said.

Education on the Supported Decision-Making and Representation Act which — was proclaimed into law on Jan. 1 — is an example of content that will be developed, Hogan said.

According to Inclusion New Brunswick's website, the act "ensures that New Brunswickers, including seniors and adults with a disability, can make their own decisions — big and small –about their own lives."