October is Disability Employment Awareness Month (DEAM) in Saskatchewan. This month celebrates people with disabilities. It also emphasizes the importance of inclusive hiring practices in the workforce.

Promoting Awareness

SARC is a key organization in this effort. It supports community services for people with disabilities. During DEAM, SARC leads the effort to raise awareness. Amy McNeil, the Executive Director of SARC, highlights the benefits of inclusive hiring practices.

“Every year, more employers recognize the value of hiring people with disabilities,” McNeil said. She added that inclusive hiring practices are not just good for business; they also benefit the community and strengthen the economy.

Furthermore, SARC participates in the Light It Up! initiative for National Disability Employment Awareness Month. On October 17, 2024, businesses and organizations are invited to light up their buildings in purple and blue. This initiative honors the contributions of workers with disabilities. Interested people can contact SARC to learn more.

Importance for Rural Communities

This initiative is especially important for rural areas, such as West Central Saskatchewan. Disability inclusion is becoming vital for workforce growth in these regions. Tamara Wiebe, Executive Director of West Central Abilities, points out that various disabilities can affect individuals. These include chronic conditions like lupus and invisible disabilities such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

“Disability inclusion is not just the right thing to do; it’s also smart for businesses,” Wiebe explained. She noted that inclusive hiring practices help expand the applicant pool. In addition, they boost employee morale. Moreover, employment plays a critical role in the independence and well-being of individuals with disabilities. Companies should provide accommodations to support long-term employment.

Benefits for Employers

Wiebe also emphasizes that inclusive hiring practices bring real benefits to employers. For instance, these practices lead to higher retention rates and lower turnover. Employees with disabilities often seek stable, long-term jobs. This stability can enhance productivity and reduce hiring costs.

Creating a supportive workplace for disabled employees is essential. This support goes beyond just physical accessibility. It involves building an accepting workplace culture and providing chances for professional growth.

“Employees with disabilities offer unique insights and creative solutions to problems,” Wiebe noted. She emphasized that creating an inclusive work environment helps everyone. It boosts employee engagement and morale across the board.

Looking Ahead

West Central Abilities does not currently have individuals in the workforce. However, the organization is hopeful for future inclusion opportunities.

“We’re not there yet, but we want to help clients find jobs in the community,” Wiebe said. She added that if businesses in West Central Saskatchewan want to hire individuals with disabilities, SARC is ready to support them throughout the process.

As DEAM unfolds in Saskatchewan, there is hope that more businesses, especially in rural areas, will adopt inclusive hiring practices. This will ensure that all individuals, regardless of ability, can contribute meaningfully to the workforce and the community.

The world mourns the loss of Dame Maggie Smith. The beloved actress, known for her iconic roles in Harry Potter and Downton Abbey, has passed away at the age of 89. Her family announced that she died peacefully in hospital early on the morning of September 27, 2024. She was surrounded by friends and family.

Dame Maggie was a titan of British theatre and film. Her illustrious career spanned over seven decades. During this time, she garnered two Academy Awards for remarkable performances in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1970) and California Suite (1979). Her talent earned her four additional Oscar nominations and eight BAFTA awards, solidifying her status as one of the greatest actresses.

In a heartfelt statement, her sons, Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin, expressed their profound sadness. They stated, “It is with great sadness we have to announce the death of Dame Maggie Smith. She leaves behind two sons and five loving grandchildren who are devastated by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother.”

The family also expressed gratitude for the compassionate care provided by the staff at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital during her final days. They emphasized the importance of respecting their privacy during this difficult time.

Dame Maggie’s career began in the theatre, where she first gained acclaim. She earned her first BAFTA nomination in the 1958 film Nowhere to Go. Her remarkable talent caught the eye of legendary director Laurence Olivier. He cast her as Desdemona opposite his Othello at the National Theatre in 1963. This collaboration later led to an Oscar nomination when the production was adapted into film.

The outpouring of tributes from friends and admirers has already begun. Gyles Brandreth described her as “one of the greats” and reflected on her extraordinary life and the golden era she represented.

As we bid farewell to Dame Maggie Smith, we celebrate her incredible contributions to the arts. She brought joy to audiences around the world. Thank you, Dame Maggie, for your unforgettable performances and the legacy you leave behind. Your spirit will forever remain in our hearts.

Sophie Shuttleworth, a 32-year-old woman from Newport, has experienced a remarkable transformation thanks to a robotic exoskeleton for paralysis. After contracting viral meningitis in July 2022, she was left paralyzed from the chest down and spent two years relying on a wheelchair.

In January, Sophie began using the exoskeleton during therapy sessions at the Morello Clinic, a local rehabilitation center. The device enables her to stand and move her legs in a natural walking pattern, allowing her to experience the sensation of being upright for the first time in two years. This moment was deeply emotional for Sophie, who described the joy of regaining mobility after such a long period of inactivity.

Beyond the emotional impact, the exoskeleton has provided Sophie with significant physical benefits. It has improved her circulation and bone density—crucial factors considering her diagnosis of osteopenia due to prolonged immobility. Sophie emphasized the mental health benefits as well, comparing the endorphins she now feels when walking to the exhilaration she experienced while swimming, a sport she loved before her illness.

Sophie, along with eight others who use the exoskeleton, is actively fundraising to support its continued availability at the clinic, aiming to raise £50,000 for a year of access to this life-changing technology. Each user benefits uniquely from the device, demonstrating its versatility in addressing various mobility challenges.

Before her illness, Sophie was fiercely independent and even swam 22 miles in a local pool to raise money for charity. While she continues to rely on family support for certain tasks, she is optimistic about the future. The combination of the exoskeleton and her new ground-floor apartment, designed to meet her needs, brings her closer to regaining her independence.

As she navigates this new chapter, Sophie remains hopeful and determined, believing that with continued use of the exoskeleton, she can achieve greater autonomy in her daily life. Her story not only highlights the potential of robotic technology in rehabilitation but also serves as an inspiration to many facing similar challenges.