- By Surjit S Atwal. In the interest of community development we are organizing a round table on inclusion and employment for people with disabilities in Abbotsford. As a key member of the business community we value your opinion and hope that you will be able to attend to provide us with feedback.I can tell you first hand what lack of inclusion feels like. My name is Surjit Atwal. I was born and raised in Abbotsford, and have lived all my life with cerebral palsy due to a stroke shortly after birth. Much of my early life was spent in isolation, as an outsider looking in. However, despite my parents being told it was unlikely that I would ever walk or talk, I have been able to complete my undergraduate and Master’s degrees and work as a community outreach coordinator.
I firmly believe that the workplace is missing out on a lot of talent, simply because of misperceptions. My own experience has led me to start a company, the International Disability Consulting Group, to raise awareness and increase opportunities for other people with disabilities to find work that suits their interests and abilities.
Our company has a great deal of collective experience in equity studies, direct democracy and communications, all directed to bringing local employers, people with disabilities, and representatives of community and government together to discuss the opportunities and concerns they face in our region and in today’s economy – and to find solutions.
The first event will be held October 18 beginning at 3PM, co-hosted by the University of the Fraser Valley and International Disability Consulting Group. This event will include food and refreshments. Please contact us if there is any accessibility concerns so that we may make accommodations. The Great Hall is located on the ground level and is wheelchair accessible.
WHEN
Tuesday, 18 October 2016 from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM (PDT)
WHERE
Great Hall – Student Union Building, University of the Fraser Valley, Abbotsford, BC V2S 7N6To sign up please click here