Diversity Rant

This rant was written a few years ago when the Molson's "I Am Canadian" television commercial was blaring across our screens. Its format is taken from that commercial, and it was presented before a group of government workers who were interested in hiring people with disabilities.

When you read it, you will see the spirit of the rant can also be used for other employment disadvantaged groups.

The Disability Rant

Hi. My name is Jacquie and I am an Employment Equity Committee member.
Hey. I'm not perfect, or the wisest ...
and I may not have a visible or non-visible disability...
and I can't pretend to understand the struggles that people with disabilities feel ...
although, I'm certain they're real ... really real.
I am familiar with their accessibility issues ...
that includes mobility from location to location ...
or mobility up the corporate ladder.

Our committee has a purpose not a 'make work' project.
We will increase people's awareness to focus on the abilities of a person rather than their disabilities.
We will insist that people with disabilities should be treated as individuals with various abilities, ambitions, and experiences NOT as a 'one size fits all' group.
We will get to know the person as a person - just like you and me ...
and we will work hand in hand to make positive changes.

We believe in mainstreaming NOT hiding people with disabilities.
We believe in attitudes opening NOT shutting.
We believe in equity NOT tokenism.
We believe in strength in diversity NOT through homogeny.

We must all remember that a suitable job is anything that THEY want to and can do and not what WE think they should be doing ...
and that telling a person with a disability that they should be working with their OWN KIND is as discriminatory as telling visible minorities to do the same thing.

REMEMBER, we are all temporarily able bodied.

My name is Jacquie!!! And I am an Employment Equity Committee member !!!!!