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 Who: LEAP is a network that provides employment services for people who have disabilities in Essex and Kent Counties. We also assist employers in hiring and successfully working with individuals who have disabilities and promote their full inclusion in the workplace. What: We want to help our communities to be fully compliant with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, the first of its kind in Canada. When: Customer Service Standards came into effect January 1st, 2008. The Public sector organizations must comply 2010 while the Private sector must comply by 2012 Where: Ontario Why: People who have disabilities should be able to do the things such as going to school or work, shopping, taking in a movie or eating out. We take for granted these freedoms and opportunities, but now we have an opportunity to improve access and remove barriers to services in 5 key areas:
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As of 2006, 12.6% of Ontario's working population (age 15-65) have a disability* The employment rate for persons who have disabilities is 50% where 75% for those without disabilities
People are in business to make money. Do your customers and/or employees include people who have disabilities? They should. Here's why. Ontario has an important law. It's called the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. About 1.85 million people in Ontario have a disability. [Statistics Canada, Participation and Activity Limitation Survey (2006)] That's 15.5% of Ontario's population or one in seven Ontarians. Over the next 20 years, as the population ages, the number will rise to one in five Ontarians. As Customers: People who have disabilities spend nearly $25 billion dollars a year in Canada. People who have disabilities influence the spending decisions of 12 to 15 million others. As Employees: People who have disabilities are an untapped labour pool of dedicated and reliable individuals in your community. They work hard, perform well on the job and have excellent attendance ratings. That's a lot of people. And that's a lot of money. Is that something you can afford to ignore? |
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