[cs_content][cs_element_section _id=”1″ ][cs_element_layout_row _id=”2″ ][cs_element_layout_column _id=”3″ ][cs_element_headline _id=”4″ ][cs_content_seo]DEAM: a month of celebration, education, and action \n\nSubheadline space\n\n[/cs_content_seo][cs_element_text _id=”5″ ][cs_element_text _id=”6″ ][cs_content_seo]Disability Employment Awareness Month (DEAM) is a chance to celebrate the contributions and inclusion of people with disabilities in the workplace. Held every October, it’s a busy and energizing month for CASE as we come together to build awareness and plan action around removing the many barriers that still exist.
This year, CASE oversaw or took part in three major national initiatives.
31 Days of DEAM
Many organizations across the country took the simple but valuable step of publicly sharing disability inclusion stories from themselves or their communities. Every day in October, CASE shared DEAM highlights across its social media channels—a campaign appropriately called 31 Days of DEAM.
Followers of the hashtags #31daysofDEAM and #DEAM2021 were introduced to individuals in the workforce, and some of the groups and businesses that have been working intentionally to be more welcoming and inclusive to all.
Cheers to Inclusion!
An initiative of MentorAbility Canada, Cheers to Inclusion encourages employers from coast to coast to demonstrate their commitment to inclusive workplaces. A broad range of organizations publicly showcased their support of DEAM2021, from the Mad Catter Café in St. John’s to Boston Pizza in Brandon, Manitoba, and so many others.
Light It Up! For NDEAM
The Ontario Disability Employment Network launched Light It Up! For NDEAM in 2020. This year, CASE came on board as a partner and Light It Up! went national.
On Thursday, October 21, bridges, landmarks, city halls, municipal signs, schools, businesses, and more were illuminated in purple and dark blue: purple to symbolize creativity, harmony, and co-operation; and dark blue for trust, dignity, authority, professionalism, intelligence, and loyalty. Together, these colours represent the spirit of DEAM.
For 2021, more than 100 major buildings or landmarks in every province and territory took part in the awareness-building event. We look forward to spreading the light even further in 2022!
Countless community initiatives
In addition to national campaigns, dozens of community organizations—both within the CASE network and outside it—marked DEAM through events and initiatives, from educational
webinars and live sessions to networking events. By participating in DEAM, employers show their commitment to inclusive employment and to breaking down the barriers that exist for hiring people experiencing disabilities.
We thank everyone who took time this month to take part in DEAM, through actions small or large. Let’s keep the work going, all year long! Although DEAM marks and celebrates progress, we still have a long way to go to attain our vision of full employment inclusion for individuals experiencing disability.
Do you have a DEAM story to share? Would you like to be part of the momentum for DEAM 2022? We’d love to hear from you—connect with us today! \n\n[/cs_content_seo][/cs_element_layout_column][/cs_element_layout_row][cs_element_layout_row _id=”7″ ][cs_element_layout_column _id=”8″ ][cs_element_headline _id=”9″ ][cs_content_seo]Subheadline space\n\n[/cs_content_seo][/cs_element_layout_column][/cs_element_layout_row][/cs_element_section][/cs_content]