October is Disability Employment Awareness Month (DEAM).

The Government of Saskatchewan, along with the Saskatchewan Association of Rehabilitation Centres, proclaimed the month as an opportunity to celebrate the strength and diversity of Saskatchewan people, including those living with disabilities who are making meaningful contributions to our local businesses and communities.

The 11th annual DEAM in the province will also bring greater awareness of the importance of an inclusive workforce as well as greater engagement of individuals who experience disabilities.

Immigration and Career Training Minister Jeremy Harrison said everyone benefits from embracing equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace.

“Promoting awareness of disabilities in the workplace benefits employees and employers alike as we ensure those who want to work have a place in Saskatchewan’s workforce.”

SARC Executive Director Amy McNeil said they are seeing more and more employers recognize the benefits of hiring people experiencing disability.

“Inclusive employers throughout Saskatchewan understand that hiring people experiencing disability is good for business, good for their community and good for the economy.”

Raelynne Doka, a supervisor with SaskAbilties Partners in Employment, has seen firsthand the benefits of hiring people with disabilities.

“Diversity in the workplace and inclusion of talented people with varying abilities fuels innovation and growth in the labour market,” she said. “By utilizing supported employment and by diversifying their workplace, employers can cut requirement costs, reduce turnover, reduce training costs.”

“Employers with an accessible workplace and a workforce that is reflective of the people in the community are more likely to expand their customer base, and in turn, it will help out in their bottom line.”

Doka said they had seen more and more identify as having a disability.

“17 years ago, when I started in this industry, the statics was one in eight people, and today you are looking at almost 22 per cent of Canadians identifying as experiencing disability.”

Twenty-two per cent is around the total combined population of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.

SaskAbilites and SARC will both be holding different events throughout the month to celebrate DEAM.