“It’s important that everyone be given the chance to showcase the skills and abilities they have,” says Steve Speicher of Community Living Huntsville.
The organization, which supports adults who have intellectual and developmental disabilities, has partnerships with several local businesses who hire Community Living clients. Bullock’s Your Independent Grocer is one that has set a strong example for inclusion and celebrating diversity.
Josh Sararas has been an employee at the store since May 2016.
Sararas says his job is best described as “utility man” because he does a little bit of everything. This includes produce, pumpkins, carts, bakery, grocery, front end and some custodial work.
“When I get started on carts, oh my word am I ever a powerhouse,” he says.
“Josh does pretty much anything and everything on a daily basis,” says Darcy Bullock, who purchased the store with his wife Alicia in 2017. “There’s always something new going on and Josh is very versatile and adapts to situations so easily. He’s great at bouncing around each department and being flexible which is a strong trait to have.”
Sararas is one of five individuals with disabilities on staff.
“Sadly some people are still resistant to the idea of hiring us due to all of the negative connotations surrounding what it looks like hiring someone with a disability. If it wasn’t for Community Living a lot of us would still be in the dark,” says Sararas.
He adds that individuals with disabilities have a strong work ethic, something he demonstrates himself. He never misses a shift and has only requested one day off in the last two years: his birthday.
According to Community Living Huntsville, one in every six Canadians has a disability of some kind and more than 50 per cent of people with disabilities have a college or university education. Organizations with inclusive cultures are eight times more likely to achieve better business outcomes, and employment retention rates are 72 per cent higher among people who have a disability.
“Everyone is capable of doing something that can bring value to businesses. It’s just a matter of connecting the right employee with the right employer,” says Speicher. “When you hire people with disabilities, you’re communicating to customers with disabilities and their family members that your company believes that people with disabilities can make a contribution and deserve to be included.”
Community Living Huntsville supports people who work very part-time as well as those who work full-time, adds Speicher. “Employment looks so different for everyone. Our community has been wonderful and hiring inclusively and we continue to grow the employers that are willing to work with us to fulfill their employment needs.”
Other local businesses that support diversity hiring include Comfort Inn, Huntsville Public Library, Metro, Winners, Hidden Valley Resort, and Boston Pizza.
“It’s amazing what the group from Community Living has done for our team,” says Bullock. “Both my wife and I believe in inclusion. When anyone meets Josh they can’t help but smile. We need all types of personalities here in the store and each individual brings something different.”
Businesses or individuals who want more information about the employment program through Community Living Huntsville can contact Steve Speicher at [email protected].
October, which is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), is the ideal time to get involved.
“There’s a huge pool of educated, skilled people who are still too often overlooked. This is the month to really think about whether your company is as diverse and inclusive as it could be,” says Jeannette Campbell, CEO of The Ontario Disability Employment Network (ODEN). “Progress is being made in business, but there’s still more opportunity. And it usually starts with recruitment and company culture.”
As part of its NDEAM 2019 campaign, ODEN has created an interactive Myth Quiz for business owners, hiring managers and HR professionals. It tests their knowledge of common disability myths and recommends knowledge-building strategies depending on their quiz results. The Myth Quiz is available at mythquiz.odenetwork.com.
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Thank you Bullocks Independent for taking the lead. It’s a win/ win for everyone!
Kudos to all the stores involved! Community Living is to be congratulated also for the lobbying which it does on behalf of its clients. Unfortunately, there are so many other disabilities, with no parallel organization to go to bat for them. It is incredibly difficult for these other PWD’s to pursue employment on their own. As most of them require adjustments to be made to the workplace to accommodate them, they tend to stop applying after a few rejections. Perhaps the YWCA or the AAC (although it is not within their mandate) could become standard bearers for this group.
Bullock’s Independent and it’s precursor Robinson’s Independent have offered much more than lip service in their involvement within our community. The seamless transition in 2017 showed just how truly dedicated the business is to full inclusion. I lift my hat to all involved. It only makes us stronger as a society.
I would second that, Audrey. 🙂
This is AWESOME. So glad we have local business that are using this program. Well done !!!!