News release

Learning and Work Symposium for Disabled Persons

Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission
Disabled Persons Commission

The benefits of hiring disabled persons and some of the obstacles they face in finding work will be highlighted at the Third Annual Symposium on Inclusive Employment and Education.

It is being held on Wednesday, Dec. 1 and Thursday, Dec. 2 in Halifax. The theme is Transition through learning and work: A journey with purpose. The event is sponsored by the Disabled Persons Commission, the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission and the Collaborative Partnership Network.

The symposium is held to coincide with the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Dec. 3. and promotes a greater awareness and understanding of disability issues. About 10 per cent of the world's population, or 650 million people, live with disabilities. In Nova Scotia one in every five people live with a disability.

"Through jobsHere, the recently announced plan to grow our economy, we are committed to working with employers to create work environments where the talents and skill are recognized equally for disabled persons," said Minister responsible for the Disabled Persons's Commission Act Denise Peterson-Rafuse. "We will develop a plan to increase the number of disabled persons in the workforce through workplace training, Internet resources, and co-op placement opportunities."

"This is a great year for human rights for persons with disabilities because Canada ratified the United Nations convention on the rights of persons with disabilities," said Minister responsible for the Human Rights Act, Ross Landry. "The convention represents a journey for the recognition and realizations of the human rights of all people. The symposium and the collaboration between the sponsors is also about that journey."

The two-day event focuses on the challenges of unemployed persons with disabilities to find jobs and features keynote speakers, panel discussions, a showcase for employers and educators, and workshops. There will also be examples of some of the most successful programs and ideas from around the province.

During the symposium the Lieutenant Governor's Employer Partnership Award for Persons with Disabilities will be presented to honour employers and persons with disabilities that have done outstanding work.

"The award is our way of saluting the employers and employees who have gone that extra mile in ensuring that people with disabilities are given opportunities in the workplace," said Janice Ainsworth, co-chair of the Collaborative Partnership Network. "People who demonstrate a commitment to hiring persons with disabilities are responsible for the change we are seeing in the workplace and a positive change in so many lives."

The symposium will be held at the Westin Nova Scotian Hotel, 1181 Hollis St. For ticket information, call 902-422-8900 or e-mail bmurphy@teamworkcooperative.org . More details are available at www.idpd.ca .