TORONTO — Today, Raymond Cho, Minister for Seniors and Accessibility, issued the following statement:
“Each year on December 3, we recognize the United Nations’ (UN) International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) to bring awareness to the issues that impact people with disabilities and highlight our government’s actions to create a more accessible and inclusive Ontario.
The UN’s theme this year is “Transformative solutions for inclusive development: the role of innovation in fuelling an accessible and equitable world.” Part of this theme focuses on inclusive employment and workplaces.
Our government believes that any Ontarian who wants to work should have the opportunity to do so.
That is why we promote the benefits of hiring people with disabilities throughout the whole year and provide relevant programs and resources to connect employers with this skilled, and mostly untapped, talent pool. We also continue to promote the Discover Ability Network – an online portal that provides employers with practical resources on how to hire, retain and accommodate people with disabilities.
Our government has also expanded the Skills Development Fund by investing an additional $145 million to create employment opportunities for people with disabilities and prepare jobseekers for meaningful careers.
Building on this, we are investing up to $1.5 million in the 2022-23 EnAbling Change Program to fund projects that show people and employers the value and benefits of accessibility.
Working together with our partners and by investing in these important programs, Ontario will continue to create opportunities for people with disabilities and build a province where everyone can participate in the economy and their communities.”
SOURCE Province of Ontario
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