Conference explores supported employment

On November 13 and 14, the 14th annual Canadian Association for Supported Employment (CASE) Conference took place in Vancouver at the Westin Bayshore Hotel.

The conference, called Working Matters 2008, was hosted by CASE and the BC Association for Community Living with CLBC as a title sponsor.

Guest speakers included leading thinkers in workplace inclusion from as far away as the United Kingdom. Susan Scott-Parker, founder and chief executive of the UK-based Employer’s Forum on Disability, delivered the opening keynote address. She inspired the audience to think of the reasons why people with developmental disabilities are skilled workers.

On the second day of the conference, Erin Riehle delivered the keynote address. She spoke to what the expectations of employment services are from a business perspective. She also described what she did to streamline the process of hiring people with disabilities, including comprehensive training for youth transitioning from school.

Workshop sessions explored cutting edge practices, innovative ideas and regional projects. Barb Penner, CLBC’s Employment Initiative Project manager, helped to present a session called Customized Employment: A Partnership at Work.

Over 70 service providers attended a session to develop the framework for a BC Employment Network.

The exhibitor hall displayed quality products and services related to supported employment.

Above all, the conference offered people with developmental disabilities, the organizations that serve them, and the employers who hire them, a valuable chance to hone their skills, challenge their thinking and engage in networking to build inclusive workplaces across the country. Congratulations to CASE and BCACL on a productive and informative conference.