JOB TALKS
ACCESS SERIES
Hosted By Paul VanderGriendt

In this episode of Job Talks Access, Paul speaks with Maureen Haan, the President and CEO of CCRW (Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work) and researcher, Michelle Wilson. CCRW is a national not-for-profit organization that aims to promote and support meaningful and equitable employment of persons with disabilities. In her role as researcher, Michelle performs internal evaluations to ensure programs in place are working as they should to support the community and explores ways in which barriers to fair employment can be taken down. Maureen explains why it is important for workplaces and employers to be what CCRW calls “disability confident.” It is essential that businesses avoid pity hiring employees with disabilities and to instead look through the lens of talent acquisition. Accommodating talent will lead to job satisfaction, employee retention, and will have a more profitable outcome all around. Maureen and Michelle discuss the potential of Canadian workers with disabilities, the biggest barriers these potential employees face, and what changes they would like to see to ensure their abilities to thrive.

John Peco is the Chair of the School of Marketing at George Brown College. He brings to this position a long history of experience in business, management, and in marketing major events across the country, such as the CNE (Canadian National Exhibit). In his role, John is interested in helping to create an environment that is open and inclusive across all perspectives that define who people are in respect to their abilities. In this episode of Job Talks Access, Paul and John discuss the importance of utilizing a greater portion of the labour force, especially considering the increasingly tightening labour market. Workers with disabilities want to be relied upon as equals, but instead are finding themselves often under utilized and thus unable to fully thrive. John reminds us that when we hire based on quotas instead of individual talents, we miss out the opportunity to achieve greater successes. Businesses looking to address the challenges they face will inevitably find themselves facing more pathways to success when hiring workers with disabilities.

Roslyn MacLean is a Project Management Professional (PMP®) with proven program and change management experience in capital markets driven by a deep understanding of how diversity of thought and inclusive principles fuel success. She has been employed by BMO (Bank of Montreal) for 20 years and currently functions as a director at BMO capital markets HR and is a senior lead for solutions and change. In this episode of Job Talks Access, Roslyn and Paul have a conversation about workplace deliverables and what it means to have a real sense of accomplishment. Roslyn explains the importance of knowing when to speak up in the workplace to be seen with a “fuller context.” She reminds all of us that “people with disabilities are bringing a broader perspective to the workforce, with different skills, different ways of doing things, more creativity because they’ve had to overcome challenges that other people haven’t.”

Bean Gill is the co-fonder of ReYu Paralysis Recovery Centre. ReYu is a non-profit wellness centre that exists to inspire, motivate and promote recovery with increased function for individuals with spinal cord injuries and associated neurological disorders through a comprehensive activity based training program, education, and exercise knowledge. In this episode of Job Talks Access, Bean shares an enthusiastic vision that strives to allow people to achieve their physical and mental ambitions through innovation based upon science, collaboration amongst peers, and evidence based methodologies. She challenges the medical system by creating opportunities for new insights to fuel better research about damage done to the central nervous system. It all starts with the right mindset. As Bean tells us, “If you talk to most people with disabilities, they’ll say you either have hope or you don’t have hope, there is no such thing as false hope!’

Jack McCormick is a HR Consulting Human Resources Manager. Previously he was a Human Resources Manager at Halton Healthcare where he was responsible for a variety of duties. As a certified HR professional, he is passionate about employee experience and talent development. In this episode of Job Talks Access, Jack speaks to Paul about the accessibility of job searching and the simple ways in which companies can make their processes more inclusive. Although the experience of finding a job that is right for you can be frustrating, especially when met with added technological barriers, Jack encourages seekers to stay positive, leverage your network, and do your research.

Alex Chicoine is a disability diversity and inclusion consultant, motivational speaker, and writer who helps increase accessibility awareness. She has a Diploma in Rehabilitation and Disability Management, a B.Sc. in Nutritional Sciences and is an accomplished business analyst. In this episode of Job Talks Access, Paul and Alexis discuss the ways in which expanding accessibility in built environments is beneficial for all, able-bodied and disabled alike. Alexis speaks about some of the tools she uses to be successful at work, tells us why it is important to disclose required workplace accommodations during the hiring process, and helps viewers understand what it takes to create the ideal accessible world. Visit https://www.diversabilityconsulting.com/ for more information.

Joel Dembe is an active public speaker, a corporate communications professional working in the financial industry and a bronze medal winning Canadian Paralympian. In this episode of Job Talks Access, Joel talks with Paul about career successes and some of the challenges he faced on a path of continued growth. Joel tells us that 40% of working age Canadians with disabilities are unemployed and educates listeners on the importance of employee experience outside and in the office. He leaves us with some great hiring advice for businesses wanting to know how to make our communities more accessible.

Manmit Pandori is a Director in Capital Markets at the Bank of Montreal (BMO). He is a part of the repo and asset management team within global markets and is a chartered financial accountant (CFA). His passion for keeping engaged with the news and markets helps him thrive. In this episode of Job Talks Access, Manmit talks to Paul about the trajectory of his career and what skills and insights, in addition to his education, were helpful to his advancing in the workplace. Looking for advice on how to stand out during the interview process? Want to know the right things to look for in a business or corporation before applying? Manmit shares his experience and in doing so communicates how to move forward on a path of representation.

Andie Hartshorne-Pople is a Social Media Manager for a company that creates apps and services for Instagram and supplies support to clients by way of social marketing. Andie originally studied business and environmental studies in university, but after surviving Craniopharyngioma she pivoted in her career path and has been finding her success in this new field. In this episode of Job Talks Access, Andie shares her experience of adaptation and talks with Paul about what employers can do in terms of increasing accessibility. She notes that there is stigma in many workplaces in which employees not able to comply with pre-set schedules of days or hours may be seen as someone not able to meet expectations. Andie knows this to be untrue and hopes to see progress via more creative and flexible solutions so as to allow talent to thrive outside of a typical 9-5 workday.

Julie Sawchuk is the best-selling author of “Build YOUR Space,” and recently published her second book, “Building Better Bathrooms.” She is an accessibility strategist and educator at Sawchuk Accessibility Solutions, professional speaker, and designated Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification Professional. In this episode of Job Talks Access, Paul and Julie discuss how to move accessibility forward. A former high school teacher, Julie continues to teach by helping people see accessibility challenges in a new light. She shares the story of her career trajectory with passion and honesty, hoping that all spaces will become as accessible as possible because everyone has the right to participate in all the activities life has to offer and it is the right thing to do. As Julie says, “It doesn’t take a lot – it just takes knowing it needs to be done and deciding to do it right.”