International Day of People with Disabilities 

 

“2024 Theme: Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future”. (United Nations, 2024, December 3). 

 

Many individuals with disabilities (or persons with a disability—PWD) have made many powerful impacts in a variety of employment sectors across the country. This year’s theme strives to educate organizations by finding inclusive initiatives supporting PWDs to develop leadership skills to be champions of change within their community. However, the statistical data shows in 2023, 47.1% of Canadians with a disability were employed (Statistics Canada, 2024, June 13). By 2040, according to the Accessible Canada Act, make Canada a barrier-free Canada by identifying, removing, and preventing barriers within the employment sector (Statistics Canada, 2024, June 13). Attitudinal and technological barriers are the main challenges PWDs face when securing a job. With the right set of circumstances and support, PWDs ought to be given the chance to gain leadership skills through educational programs or mentorship opportunities to succeed.  

Emergency Management is a broad field of work and study with ample options for leadership experience. Here are a few suggestions to help you, as a supervisor guide the PWD to gain skills to build on their EM/DRR knowledge: 

  • Provide reasonable accommodations—Ensure the built environment, job duties, and policies are reasonable for the individual to perform their work without hardship. Ensure all courses are accessible and can accommodate the individuals’ needs. 
  • Regular meetings – Offer regular one-on-one meetings regularly to offer time for answering questions and providing guidance. 
  • Promote inclusivity – Create an environment that allows a safe space for sharing of ideas and collaboration with others. 
  • Listen – Be compassionate and listen; avoid any misconceptions or judgement. 
  • Connection with others – Some PWDs find social situations uncomfortable; find reasonable steps to establish ways to help ease these types of stressful situations; especially in noisy environments (ie: conferences, and workshops). 

 

Jen McEachen is a deafblind individual working in the field of EM/DRR in a consulting capacity providing support to PWDs to prepare and mitigate for disasters and educating EM/DRR professionals to gain knowledge in supporting individuals with disabilities in all phases of the EM cycle. Do you have questions about supporting employees who have a disability looking for a career in the field of EM/DRR, please send an email to: accessibility@crhnet.ca.  

 

References: 

Statistics Canada. (2024, June 13). Labour Market characteristics of persons with and without disabilities, 2023. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/71-222-x/71-222-x2024002-eng.htm  

United Nations. (2024, December 3). International Day of Persons with a Disability, 3 December. https://www.un.org/en/observances/day-of-persons-with-disabilities