MentorAbility Canada Hub Highlight Series
Every month, MentorAbility Canada proudly presents one of our implementing partners. They are the MentorAbility coordinators—the backstage workers who quietly go about their tasks to ensure that job seekers, employers, and service providers can shine in the spotlight.
For the French version of this post, please click here.
Pour la version française de cet article, veuillez cliquer ici.
MentorAbility Nova Scotia:
Bridging the Gap through Accessibility in Nova Scotia
MentorAbility is actively promoting inclusive employment in Nova Scotia through mentoring, collaboration, and networking. David Wareing is the MentorAbility Coordinator for MentorAbility Nova Scotia and works with TeamWork Cooperative in the Halifax area. Aaron Fanning is the MentorAbility Facilitator and is based in Antigonish County with Career Connections. Both David and Aaron have diverse experiences that provide valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities of promoting inclusive employment in varied environments.
At the Heart of Success: The Power of Authentic Relationships
The heart of MentorAbility’s success resides in the power of authentic relationships. Beyond vocational training or career guidance, mentoring fosters authentic relationships that nurture confidence and empower individuals.
“I strive to facilitate genuine connection and mutual respect in mentoring partnerships.”
David Wareing, MentorAbility Coordinator, MentorAbility Nova Scotia at TeamWork Cooperative
David’s approach creates a safe and supportive space where mentees feel comfortable exploring their aspirations, identifying their strengths, and overcoming challenges. Mentors, in turn, gain a deeper understanding of the talents and perspectives that persons experiencing disability bring to the workplace and the challenges they face.
In-Person Conversations and Strong Partnerships Key for Rural Employers
“Rural employers may have limited resources, but they understand the value of mentoring when they see the direct positive impact on their community.”
Aaron Fanning, MentorAbility Facilitator at Career Connections
Aaron finds that face-to-face conversations and word of mouth go a long way with employers in rural communities. “Many small employers work with our organization, Career Connections, since we have access to lots of resources. So, we can also share the information about MentorAbility and how it could be useful to them.”
Partnerships with other organizations also help to promote the MentorAbility message in smaller communities. Aaron partners with the local Autism Nova Scotia chapters, the Department of Community Services, Pictou County Partnership, the Antigonish Chamber of Commerce, and the Neil Squire Society, to name a few. In turn, he spreads the word about their work when relevant.
Professional Networks Support Client Needs
David and Aaron work with a variety of organizations to support job seekers with their needs. For instance, Aaron is a member of a working group, the North Shore Local Immigration Partnership (LIP), coordinated by the YMCA Centre for Immigrant Programs. The members work together to support newcomers in their respective counties as well as share programs and workshops that would be useful for them.
Looking to the Future: Employer Networks
The Government of Nova Scotia is working to make the province fully accessible by 2030. Significant progress has been made with the accessibility of public buildings and transit. However, challenges remain and full inclusion by 2030 will require continued commitment from all parties. David and Aaron both have a clear vision for the future of inclusive employment in their province.
Aaron envisions a shift in employer engagement. To facilitate this, he dreams of an employer network where businesses from all sectors share their accessibility initiatives and best practices and work towards supporting each other.
David shares similar optimism. Regarding new initiatives, he suggests that facilitated planning with employers and organizations that have signed up as partners could lead to interesting opportunities. While work is currently done with employers, a more comprehensive approach could include planning workshops, support tools, and mentoring for employers.
“I hope that by 2030, rather than having to teach and inform employers, they’ll come to us to show us what they’ve done. Ideally, employers will be proud of what they’ve accomplished and will want to share it with others so that they, too, can become fully accessible.”
Aaron Fanning, MentorAbility Facilitator at Career Connections
“By 2030, I hope there will have been a significant increase in accessibility for all. People will be able to more easily and fully participate in community and employment. It will be easier and less 'necessary' to educate and enlighten the community and employers about the benefits of providing fully inclusive spaces and communication.”
David Wareing, MentorAbility Coordinator, MentorAbility Nova Scotia at TeamWork Cooperative
A Model for Collaboration
The work of MentorAbility in Nova Scotia serves as a model for a collaborative approach focused on innovation, deep community and employer engagement, and tailored support. Their experience offers valuable insights into how tailored approaches, rooted in local realities, can strengthen the social and economic fabric of communities and pave the way for more inclusive and accessible workplaces for all Canadians.
To collaborate with MentorAbility Nova Scotia or for more information about their MentorAbility program, contact:
TEAM Work Cooperative
(click on organization name to go to website)
Halifax Area
Contact: David Wareing Phone: 902-422-8900 Email: [email protected]Career Connections
(click on organization name to go to website)
Antigonish
Contact: Aaron Fanning Phone: 902-870-7962 Email: [email protected]