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Province of Manitoba Celebrates Economic Contribution of People With Disabilities

October 1, 2013 -

Manitoba

Disability Employment Awareness Month Is a Time to Recognize Value and Potential:  Bjornson

The province will celebrate the contributions of people with disabilities to the workforce and the economy during Disability Employment Awareness Month in October, Entrepreneurship, Training and Trade Minister Peter Bjornson announced today.

"More and more Manitoba employers are seeing the valuable talents and untapped potential of people with disabilities and the contributions they make to the workplace," said Bjornson.  "The result is a stronger labour force and more diverse, inclusive communities."

Finance Minister Stan Struthers, minister responsible for the Civil Service Commission, officially launched Disability Employment Awareness Month today at a ceremony at the Hilton Winnipeg Airport Suites.  

Throughout October, dozens of Manitoba businesses in the arts, broadcasting, health care, education and medical fields will open their doors to help young Manitobans with disabilities explore career options, Struthers said.  Planned events include:

* October 1 to 31:  Lunch-and-learn sessions will target Manitoba businesses;

* October 7 to 11:  Career Exploration Week will bring youth with disabilities together with employers to explore career options and help employers learn more about disability inclusion in the workplace;

* October 18:  the National Educational Association of Disabled Students will host Student Skills for Success, which promotes leadership skills among post-secondary students with disabilities;

* October 23:  Ability Axis Employment Expo will celebrate and advance the participation of people with disabilities in Manitoba's workforce; and

* October 30:  Employer Awards will honour Manitoba leaders who employ people with disabilities.

Bjornson acknowledged the important contribution of the Alliance of Manitoba Sector Councils in promoting the inclusion of Manitobans with disabilities in the workplace.

 "The province has worked closely with the councils, which represent more than 3,000 Manitoba employers and almost 200,000 workers," said Bjornson.  "Their efforts have helped bring attention to the significant economic opportunities that result from hiring people with disabilities."

For more information on Disability Employment Awareness Month, visit www.deam-mb.ca


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