Why Diversity is Good for Business

1. Why Diversity is Good for Business May 4, 2011 Elaine Austin

2. Agenda • Who We Are • Strategic Priorities • Taking Action – HR Guidebook • Accessibility Barriers • How to make your workplace more accessible and inclusive? • Benefits to Employer • Accommodation is Nothing New • Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) Update • Disability Etiquette

3. Business Takes Action • Best Practices Project initiated by Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) • Funded by Ministry of Community & Social Services (MCSS) • Mission: to share success stories about employer champions; educate and assist organizations to prepare for compliance with new standards in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) • 2014 skills shortage – provide tools and resources • Available to assist your organization in removing physical & attitudinal barriers

4. Strategic Priorities • Innovation Awards June 14th Ottawa • Nominations close Friday May 20th • Recognize small – medium sized business champion • On-line nominations • Includes travel and accommodation • Honourable Madeleine Meilleur – Minister of Community & Social Services • Video and advertising

5. Strategic Priorities • Annual Conference “Accommodating Mental Health in the Workplace” October 19th, 2011 • Keynote speaker Rona Maynard “The Healing Power of Work” • Entertainment Justin Hines • Stress and depression #1 cause of disability and leaves of absence • Tools and resources to increase your abilities to recognize, assess, intervene and respond to mental health concerns

6. Taking Action – an HR Guidebook • Advisory Committee • Table of Contents 12 chapters • Disability Defined Protecting Mental Health at Work • Changing the Corporate Culture Understanding Accommodation • Barriers to Success Planning a Successful Return to Work • Disability Etiquette It’s the Law • Online and interactive – you are already accommodating staff today • Injury and illness do not discriminate • Complex issues = clear solutions

8. Accessibility Barriers • Architectural / physical • Organizational • Information or communications • Technological • Attitudinal – most challenging

9. Architectural & Physical Barriers • Hallways & doorways that are too narrow • Poor lighting / low pile carpet • Doorknobs that are difficult to open • Curb cuts • Accessible restrooms • Telephones

10. Organizational Barriers • Also known as systemic • Organizational policies, procedures and or practices that discriminate against people with disabilities • Ability for employees to work from home – flexible work hours • Provide private facilities necessary to administer medications or perform medical procedures during working hours • A hiring process that is not open to pwds

11. Information & Communication Barriers • Barriers exist when a person cannot access information • Print is too small to read • Offer material in alternate formats • Fonts sans serifs • Preferred font Arial and Verdana 12 – 18 • Clean design and simplicity • Paper finish use matte or non glossy

12. Technological Barriers • Occurs when technology cannot be modified to support various assistive devices • Does your website support screen reading software? • JAWS (Job Access with Speech) • Dragon Naturally Speaking speech recognition • Do your business videos include captioning for the deaf?

13. Attitudinal Barriers • Attitudes and beliefs that discriminate against people with disabilities • Thinking that people with disabilities are not intelligent, educated or skilled • Instead of ability see disability • Instead of potential see limitations • Most difficult and biggest barrier to overcome

14. Fear of Flying Jessica Cox received her pilots license

15. Fear of Sailing/Tennis/Golfing/Skiing/Scuba Diving?

16. How to make your workplace more accessible and inclusive today? • Accessibility toolbar on website – font size and contrast • Wider hallways / Electronic entrance • Future renovations or moving? • Accessible restrooms • Accessible parking spaces • Survey staff - determine who has a disability

17. Benefits to Employer • “It is not only the right thing to do, but the smart thing to do” Randy Lewis, Senior VP Distribution & Logistics Walgreens • Increased • Productivity • Loyalty • Employee Satisfaction • Competitive Advantages • Start to build a stronger, more inclusive society • Start to be a leader for your business, your community and your province

18. Accommodation is Nothing New • Today, you already accommodate staff • Reserved parking spaces • Flexible working hours • Telecommuting/home offices • Doctor appointments • Family obligations • Sick days • Religious holidays

19. Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) • Goal to ensure all Ontarians with disabilities have full access to goods, services, facilities, accommodation, employment, building structures and premises by 2025 • Five standards: • Built • Employment • Information & Communication • Transportation • Customer Service • Applies to both public and private sectors covering every aspect of life except private homes • Legal standards that promote values of the Ontario Human Rights Code: dignity, independence, integration and equal access to opportunity • First province in Canada to be fully accessible

20. Customer Service Standard • Ontario regulation 429/07 • January 1, 2010 Public Sector • January 1, 2012 Public sector and Not For Profit that provide goods or services to the public • All organizations must comply if you have one or more employees • Public sector and all providers with 20+ employees must complete and file on line accessibility report with the Government of Ontario • Less than 20 employees, must comply but exempt from filing report

21. Integrated Accessibility Standard • May 31, 2010 the Government of Ontario announced integrating 3 standards into 1 streamlined regulation • Information & Communications • Employment • Transportation • Public Review Feb 1 – March 18, 2011 • Government finalizing details • Will be enacted in 2011 pending government approval • Implementation and timelines will depend on size and nature of business – currently 50+ employees

22. Disability Etiquette • Be Yourself • Just Ask • Be courteous and respectful • Use inclusive language • Treat with respect, equality and courtesy

23. Why Hire People with Disabilities? • Skills and talents • Diversity • Corporate responsibility • Talent pool • Innovative leadership • They’re your customers!

24. Join Today • Monthly newsletters • Educational workshops / Webinars • Tools and resources • Free membership • Taking Action – HR Guidebook • Innovation Awards June 14th Ottawa • Annual Conference October 19th • October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month • Thank You for attending!