By Barbara Simpson, from www.theobserver.ca The Observer
The City of Sarnia has won a national award for promoting the summer employment of students with disabilities.
Mayor Mike Bradley accepted the corporate social responsibility award on behalf of the city at the 2012 HR Summit Awards in Toronto Tuesday night. The city was nominated for its innovative Mayor’s Challenge that links private and public sector employers with student workers with disabilities for the summer.
Bradley said it was rather emotional to accept the award after all the hard work the city has spent promoting the message.
“For the last number of years, we’ve been trying to communicate to the rest of Ontario that hiring those intellectually challenged is not charity,” he said Wednesday. “It’s good for business and it’s good for the community.”
Bradley hopes the city’s message touched the crowd of about 500 in attendance at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. The awards organized by the Human Resources Professionals Association attracted many who are responsible for hiring decisions in the public and private sectors.
Bradley credits Sarnia’s now-retired HR manager Kathy Meade for her work in promoting the hiring of people with disabilities.
Bradley has already received dozens of emails of congratulations, including a special one from Lt.-Gov. David Onley.
“Well done Mike and team!” Onley wrote in an email. “Well done Sarnia! Thank you for your leadership.”
The accomplished former journalist is Ontario’s first lieutenant-governor with a disability. He has spent his life championing accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities.
Bradley said Onley is expected to visit Sarnia again in April. He will meet with the local business community to promote hiring of those with disabilities.
Observer Article ID#3456344
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