Kamloops agency encouraging employers to hire people with disabilities

Oct 7, 2016 | 4:24 PM

KAMLOOPS — The employment placement organization, Open Door Group is hoping more Kamloops businesses will be inclined to hire people with disabilities.

The agency just finished its celebration of Disability Employment Month in September, and has been working closely with businesses to employ people with special needs. 

Vocational counsellor Geoffrey Otto says he hopes the hiring of people with disabilities can help to dispel misconceptions. 

“We still find that there is stigma within our community,” Otto explained. “Some employers are not aware of the productivity of people with disabilities and that is why we have job developers that actually work closely with these employers to explain their strengths, and values, and productivity that these members of our community can contribute towards.”

Quilas Mexican Restaurant downtown is one of the Kamloops businesses that Otto has worked with to place a worker with disabilities. 

Restaurant Owner Delmys Garay says she would encourage other employers to hire people with special needs.

“To employ them (doesn’t) just give them the job, (it also) makes the person feel good about themselves,” she said. “They can give to the community.”