October was declared Disability Employment Awareness Month in Nunavut.
Many Nunavummiut suffer from a non-visible disability, and with the stigma and shame still associated with the issue, they never feel comfortable revealing their needs and everyday lived experiences. As such, they may not access the supports they need, if those are even in place. Those with visible and non-visible disabilities often feel marginalized and judged by society for a situation beyond their control.
On Oct. 25, a step was taken towards a better future for Nunavummiut living and working with disabilities, as the Department of Family Services and the Nunavummi Disabilities Makinnasuaqtiit Society (NDMS) co-hosted an event in the lobby of the legislative assembly.
"Our vision is for all Nunavummiut to have equitable access to opportunities in all of our communities," said Family Services Minister Margaret Nakashuk.
"We will continue to find ways to reduce the barriers faced by people with disabilities in Nunavut, and find ways to lessen the severe lack of infrastructure that impacts all aspects [of life for the disabled]," Nakashuk added.
"For example, Family Services delivers Piqataugitsi, a program under the Workforce Development Agreement, to support Nunavummiut with disabilities to enter and remain in the labour market, and to equally access employment and training opportunities in Nunavut. We will continue to deliver as a department... to support Nunavummiut with disabilities to return and remain in the labour market, and to equally access employment and training opportunities across the territory.
"Funding is available through the Department of Family Services, and also funding is available for organizations seeking to deliver employment. This is also helps support who self-identify with a disability or persistent barriers that we see across the territory for employment and engagement. Through employee engagements, Family Services learned that employers needed more information on employing persons with disabilities.
"An inclusive employer handbook was created to provide this framework for helping organizations embrace this framework for helping organizations create equality, access inclusion, and celebrate diversity... Family Services also amend[ed] some of the existing labour programs to include disability support components to better support clients with disabilities.
"Our department is working to improve employment outcomes and fill labour market gaps to promote inclusive gaps, by encouraging inclusive hiring, providing trades training, and tutoring, job placement assistance, literacy programs, and accessibility of foundations to help organizations embrace equality."
It was at this point that Nakashuk invited Adebola Kolewole, project manager supervisor for NDMS, to the podium.
"We know that employment is an important issue for Nunavummiut. Inuit in particular, experience higher unemployment rates leading to income insecurity and inequities in housing, mental wellness, health and safety, and education. For Inuit who experience disability, this issue is complex and can benefit from government and organization partnerships, such as this," said Kolewole. "NDMS is the territorial hub for mentorability, an initiative that seeks to pair employers and job seekers to create discussion and mutual understanding. DEAM [Disability Employment Awareness Month] is part of this initiative as well as the LightItUp campaign."
Isaac Mensah, employment specialist at NDMS said, "The disabled still face challenges with stereotyping and stigma among persons with disabilities in Nunavut... Employers are also not cooperating with the inclusive hiring. That's what we are also advocating for, to open up with the inclusive hiring issues. Also, you see in some communities, accessibility has become an issue. Rules are not being adhered to... it makes transportation and travelling difficult. Some buildings also lack ramps, which make it even more difficult.
"These challenges are going to take a long time [to overcome]," Mensah continued. "Why? Because of the geographic location of Nunavut becomes a number one factor for infrastructure. Most of suicide and disability issues that goes on in Nunavut go on because of the lack of resources available... like access to talk to people about mental health issues. It's going to take some time because infrastructure-wise, we are far behind. It's going to take a long time before we reach the goal, but never say never."
