Nominate an Employer with that WOW! factor

WOW-Logo-for-web-300x150As part of Community Living Month, Community Living British Columbia has launched nominations for our sixth annual Widening Our World (WOW!clbc) Awards. This year, British Columbians are being asked to nominate employers who are hiring adults CLBC serves and creating positive, inclusive workplaces.

Each year, WOW!clbc recognizes the contributions and innovations of people who are working to build communities that are accepting of all abilities. As part of the Community Action Employment Plan, the 2014 Award nomination process invites anyone to nominate an employer who they think is helping to build workplaces where the adults CLBC serves feel welcome, valued and respected.

Social Development and Social Innovation Minister Don McRae opened the call for nominations during a visit and lunch in Comox with Rocky Mountain Café, an inclusive employer. Owner Donna Elderton over the last four years has hired three people through Vancouver Island Community Connections’ employment program. The business exemplifies the hiring approach the WOW!clbc Awards is looking to profile in 2014 by having people of all abilities work side by side.

Nomination forms for this year’s WOW!clbc Awards are available online here and at CLBC offices throughout the province. CLBC is accepting nominations until November 30, 2014. Award winners will be announced early in 2015.

Last year, WOW!clbc focused on recognition of any work taking place across the province to build inclusion. Four people out of over 40 nominations from across the province were recognized with awards at local community recognition events.

CLBC and its community partners released the three-year Employment Action Plan in March 2013 to help increase the number of job opportunities for adults CLBC serves who want to work. For more information about WOW!clbc or for a listing of Community Living Month activities across the province, visit www.communitylivingbc.ca.

Quotes: 

Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation Don McRae 

“B.C. has a goal of the highest labour participation for people with disabilities in Canada by 2024, and to help reach that goal we declared September as Disability Employment Month. These awards are also a good opportunity to recognize employers who not only help support people through inclusive employment, but make sound business decisions when they hire people with disabilities – because they make great employees!”

CLBC CEO Seonag Macrae 

“The benefits of an inclusive work environment go beyond the walls of the workplace. By focusing on ability rather than disability employers are empowering individuals to lead more independent lives and take active roles in their community. We look forward to receiving this year’s WOW!clbc nominations and to recognizing the good work being done by many employers across BC.”

Contact: 

Communications
Community Living BC
604-209-7608

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