Red Deer County played host to a single-day conference that examines equitable employment and recruitment strategies for people with disabilities within Alberta.
The DEAM IDEA Conference, hosted by the Alberta Employment First Network (AEFN), was held at the Holiday Inn in Gasoline Alley on Friday, Oct 4. DEAM stands for Disability Employment Awareness Month and IDEA stands for Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility.
This was the third edition of the annual event, which provides attendees with the opportunity to build upon their knowledge of inclusive and equitable employment and recruitment, while examining topics of disability intersectionality within diversity and equity.
"The Alberta Employment First Network is funded by the Government of Alberta and we are a connector within the province that brings Albertans together to enhance employment opportunities for persons with disabilities," said Angela Flaman, AEFN director.
"Oct. 1 marks the start of Disability Employment Awareness Month, and it's part of a provincial and national campaign throughout the month of October to raise awareness, celebrate inclusive employers, and have deep conversations around inclusive employment, what that means and what actions businesses can take."
The event featured a series of keynote speakers, as well as an employer panel. There was also a networking event held on the evening of Thursday, Oct. 3, where there were exhibitors and more informal discussion opportunities.
"The conference itself is led by persons with disabilities, it's for employers, and it's backed by service providers," Flaman explained.
"Almost 90 per cent of our presenters have lived experience. ... That's something that makes this conference really unique. We have individuals that are business owners, we have individuals working for organizations and run different employee-resource groups within those organizations, so they can have those conversations among their colleagues and the organization's leadership in order to move the needle forward."
About 160 people attended this year's edition of the event, which changes locations each year.
"The first one was in Canmore, last year was in Edmonton and this year it's in Red Deer. Next year will be in Calgary. We try to move it around so we can engage with the communities and what's happening in the province. What's happening in the north is much different than what's happening in the south," said Flaman.
There are events happening virtually and in-person across the province throughout Disability Employment Awareness Month, Flaman added. For more information visit www.aefn.ca.