The Government of Manitoba is investing just over $120,000 with the Manitoba League of Persons with Disabilities (MLPD) to help provide educational and outreach work that will help ensure organizations to fully understand and comply with accessible employment standards.
Families Minister Heather Stefanson says that accessibility is important to all Manitobans, and a priority of the government.
“We are pleased to support this work with the MLPD,” said Stefanson. “This funding will help them deliver workshops, share tools and resources, and provide advice and expertise to organizations to promote the development and implementation of accessible employment practices.”
With this help from the government, MLPD will collaborate with organizations to prevent and remove barriers related to accessible employment. The work will also help businesses to better understand the requirements related to the province’s accessible employment standard.
Manitoba’s accessible employment standard was passed in April of 2019 and is expected to fully apply to all employers in the province by May of 2022.
Part of the reasoning for the standard is that Manitobans with disabilities are more likely to be unemployed, or under-employed compared to people without disabilities. Minister Stefanson noted that employers are able to benefit from a larger pool of possible employees by making recruitment and employment practices more accessible.
Stefanson also recognized the important role that MLPD plays. The organization represents Manitobans with a broad range of disabilities on common issues and concerns.
The province’s funding agreement with MLPD is good until March 31st, 2022.
More information on the MLPD can be found on their website.
