International Day of Persons with Disabilities Symposium
Exploring ways to make the workplace more inclusive and improving access to supports, services and transitional programs in the education system for persons with disabilities will be the focus of the Second Annual Symposium on Inclusive Employment and Education on Thursday, Dec. 3.
Held on the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the event will highlight best practices from employers, educators and community organizations around the province.
"In Nova Scotia, one in every five people live with a disability," said Anne MacRae, executive director of the Disabled Persons Commission. "Ensuring students with disabilities have access to proper supports and transitional programs to post-secondary education and the workforce plays a critical role in gaining meaningful employment.
"It is the key to increasing participation and beneficial for everyone involved."
The theme of the this year's symposium is Bridging the Needs Between Education and Employment -- Best Practices. The keynote address will be delivered by David Sampson, vice-chair of the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission.
It features workshops and panels on topics such as government and community partnerships, best practices from community leaders, learning sessions focused on specific disabilities, and what educators and employers need to know from a human rights perspective.
"One of our highest areas of complaints revolves around disability and employment, but it doesn't need to be that way," said Krista Daley, director and CEO of the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission. "The symposium is about providing information so that both employers and employees know what they need to do to create a respectful and inclusive work environment, and to celebrate organizations that have been successful in achieving this."
Another highlight of the day is a luncheon sponsored by the Collaborative Partnership Network. It will feature the Lieutenant Governor's Employer Partnership Award for Persons with Disabilities to honour employers and persons with disabilities that have done positive work in their communities.
"The Collaborative Partnership Network applauds our champion employers and their employees. Investment in people and partnership leads to dedicated and loyal employees with the right skills for the job," said Janice Ainsworth, co-chair of the Collaborative Partnership Network. "The award recognizes outstanding contributions made by employers and employees for demonstrated commitment to increase the hiring, accommodating, retaining or promoting persons with disabilities in the workplace."
The symposium will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Westin Nova Scotian Hotel, 1181 Hollis St., Halifax. For ticket information, call 422-8900 or e-mail [email protected] .
The event is sponsored in partnership with the Disabled Persons Commission, the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission and the Collaborative Partnership Network.
The symposium is a scent-free event.