For Immediate Release
April 7, 2021
Toronto, ON – Inclusion Canada and the Canadian Autism Spectrum Disorder Association (CASDA) have launched “The Inclusive Workplace,” a free, bilingual online resource to support job seekers and employees who are on the autism spectrum or have an intellectual disability, businesses, and employment agencies.
“This holistic approach provides the resources and information needed to build an inclusive workplace,” says Krista Carr, Executive Vice-President of Inclusion Canada.
The Inclusive Workplace offers more than 100 free community-developed multimedia resources, including eLearning courses, guides, and other timely information. They cover a broad spectrum of practical topics, from understanding the benefits of diversity and inclusion in the workplace to preparing for a video conference job interview. Supported by the
Government of Canada, the site was conceived to help Canadian businesses meet their workforce needs during COVID-19 and beyond by tapping into the benefits of an inclusive workplace. Currently, more than 500,000 working age adults in Canada who are on the autism spectrum or with an intellectual disability are unemployed or underemployed.
“The Inclusive Workplace gives businesses the resources they need to start or expand their inclusive hiring practices,” says Don Gallant, National Director of Ready, Willing & Able, another partnership project of Inclusion Canada and CASDA, which is focused on supporting businesses to hire inclusively.
The site is informed by the principles of universal design, with contrast and calm viewing modes and other features to help make it accessible to people with disabilities. The site content is written in “plain language” to ensure that the information presented is accessible and usable for all.
Cynthia Carroll, Executive Director of Autism Nova Scotia and CASDA Past Chair, says “The Inclusive Workplace meets a critical need for resources developed specifically for people who are on the autism spectrum or have an intellectual disability.”
“The Inclusive Workplace provides practical and accessible information to support autistic adults and adults who have an intellectual disability in their journey to find and retain meaningful employment.”
About The Inclusive Workplace
The Inclusive Workplace is a resource for job seekers and workers who are on the autism spectrum or have an intellectual disability, businesses, and employment agencies during COVID-19 and beyond. Launched by Inclusion Canada and the Canadian Autism Spectrum Disorder Association (CASDA) and supported by the Government of Canada, The Inclusive Workplace is aimed at promoting inclusive hiring in Canada.
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Media Contacts: Marc Muschler, Senior Communications Officer, Inclusion Canada, mmuschler@inclusioncanada.ca
Rakhee Chowdhury, Communications Manager, Canadian Autism Spectrum Disorder Alliance (CASDA), communications@casda.ca
Inclusion Canada is a national federation of 13 provincial-territorial associations and over 300 local associations working to advance the full inclusion and human rights of people with an intellectual disability and their families. We lead the way in building an inclusive Canada by strengthening families, defending rights, and transforming communities into places where everyone belongs.
The Canadian Autism Spectrum Disorder Alliance (CASDA) is committed to ensuring the creation and implementation of a comprehensive National Autism Strategy that addresses critical gaps in funding and policies, which are preventing Autistic individuals and their families from exercising their equal rights as Canadians.
