The City of Calgary is working on a new pilot project with Inclusion Alberta to provide employment opportunities for citizens with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
It’s expected that Phase 1 of the plan will conclude at the end of this month, with the launch of the pilot project anticipated for the end of June, according to a briefing note in the agenda package for the March 19 meeting of Calgary city council.
“Positions are expected to be full-time or part-time, would provide meaningful
employment, and would be similar to existing positions,” the briefing note read.
The position will likely fall under union rules, according to the document.
“We talk a lot as a city about equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging, so this is actual action,” said Ward 11 Coun. Kourtney Penner.
According to the Council of Canadians with Disabilities, nearly 60 per cent of working-age adults with disabilities are unemployed or out of the labour market. Of those, two thirds lack one or more supports they need to work, including educations and workplace aids, home modification or other supports.
Coun. Penner said other organizations have passed the city as leaders on making the workplace more accommodating to citizens with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
“That’s actually one of the challenges is that we’re actually not at the forefront of this and that we have work to do and that we are behind,” Penner said, noting the Edmonton Public Library’s involvement with Inclusion Alberta.
“However, when we step up and when we create opportunities for people, it does show the entire city that this is something that is valuable, and that we do want to have a representative workforce.”
The City said the intent of the pilot would be to help create a model that could transfer to other projects that impact communities that experience various barriers in Calgary.
Inclusion Alberta was contacted for the story but wished to wait for the formal announcement before speaking to the media.
