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Welcome to Diversity at Work

This virtual resource centre seeks to bring together individuals, workplaces, and communities with the goal of improving the employment landscape of diverse individuals. Whether you’re a job seeker, currently working, an employer of any size, or you support those with disabling conditions, ignite the spark for inclusion in your community with Diversity at Work!

Challenge Your Assumptions

Far too often we think of differences as challenges to be overcome or problems to be solved. Within this toolkit of resources, we will challenge you – as an individual with a disabling condition or a workplace / community supporting those with disabling conditions – to shift your thinking. In this resource you’ll begin to challenge the assumptions you hold about finding and maintaining work within rural/remote communities. This resource will support you as you confront assumptions and bias, challenge commonly held myths, and develop strategies to prepare you for working together to bridge the diversity disconnect.

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Bridging the Diversity Disconnect: Research-Informed Strategies for Workforce Inclusion

This learning series was grounded in the Diversity Disconnect research project, which examined the employment experiences of Indigenous peoples and persons with disabilities—particularly in rural and remote communities.

Drawing from this research and enriched by lived experiences, the series offered practical strategies, tools, and conversations to support employers, Career Development Professionals (CDPs), and community leaders in hiring and retaining a more inclusive workforce.

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Craft Your Vision for the Future

Without a sense of where you want to end up, it’s difficult to get there.

A vision for the future doesn’t have to be restricted to paid employment – it can pull from the broader definition of career that includes work, life, and learning domains. In this resource, learn the essential elements to creating a motivating and inspiring vision.

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Bridge the Disconnect

Individuals, workplaces, and communities each play an important and interconnected role in the success of the other. To ensure the “system” is functioning in a positive and effective manner, all groups need to work together – disjointed, isolated efforts won’t effectively bridge the disconnect. This resources asks you to consider the role of the individual, the workplace, and the community in how we can work together towards our common goals.

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Change & Transition

Whether you are an individual with a disabling condition or seeking to support such individuals at work or in the community, there will need to be some change to the status quo. Making any change requires a process and this resource will help you navigate that process as you collectively work to support meaningful work and motivating opportunities for people who have disabling conditions. Individuals, workplaces, and communities will leave equipped to move into productive goal setting and action planning.

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Set Goals & Take Action

Before you can set a goal or craft a plan of action to achieve it, it’s important to start with a clear vision of the future you want to create. This vision will be a helpful compass, guiding principle, or “north star” to show the way forward. Your goal will be the specific destination/location (i.e., outcome) you want to achieve. The action plan will be your pathway or route forward (i.e., how to get there).

This resource provides you with different methods of goal setting so you can create goals that excite you.

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Evaluate & Maintain Success

Throughout these resources, you’ve been invited to be inspired by stories of success and to challenge your assumptions about the employment realities, needs, and opportunities of people with disabling conditions within rural workplaces and communities. With a fresh vision for the future, you have a solid foundation for collaborative solutions to bridge the disconnect, along with tools for goal setting and action planning.

However, as you’ve seen in the employment success factors and the change and transition resource, life isn’t static. Individuals, workplaces, and communities need agile, responsive, and flexible plans for action. To achieve your goals, you’ll need to monitor progress, make shifts, and celebrate your successes along the way.

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Inclusive Workplaces Benefit Everyone

It has been proven that diverse and inclusive workplaces are twice as likely to meet or exceed financial targets and six times more likely to anticipate change (source: Government of Canada). Fostering inclusive spaces requires the cooperation of individuals, workplaces, and the community as a whole. 

The Diversity At Work virtual resource centre equips you with knowledge and tools to advance inclusion and create accessible workplaces in rural communities. 

Find The Support You Need

The Diversity At Work resources are designed to be able to support you no matter where you are on your career path. If you’re uncertain where to begin, we recommend starting with one of these four resources:

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Craft Your Vision

Creating a vision gives you a foundation to start from. If you don’t know where you want to go and why, you’re not likely to get there. If you're uncertain of your vision, start here.

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Challenge Assumptions

Do you have any fears around inclusive hiring? Uncertain if you need to disclose your disability? Don't know what accommodations are legally required? Let's get the facts straight and bust some myths around building inclusive communities.

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Bridge the Disconnect

Sometimes it feels as if employers and employees are on opposing sides, rather than working towards a common goal. Bridging this disconnect requires a curiosity and understanding of the others’ perspective. This resource helps us understand the needs and views of everyone.

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Set Goals & Take Action

Where your vision works as your 'north star', your goals are the steps you need to take in order to get there. Develop the road map for your future.

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Introducing Your Companion Guide & Workbook

Take Diversity At Work with you wherever you go! The Companion Guide is a printable version of the resources available through Diversity At Work. If you prefer reading a physical version, like to highlight key points and make notes, or don’t have reliable Internet access, the Companion Guide is for you.

Coming Soon

Our resources offer opportunities for you to stop and reflect on what you’ve learned. These moments for reflection help you apply the skills you’ve gained into your life. Soon, this download will also provide you with the Diversity At Work Workbook, a PDF you can type in that contains all ‘Stop & Reflect’ exercises for you to complete.

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Who Are Our Resources For?

Individuals

Those who experience a disabling condition are a diverse group of people with a wide range of needs. Each person is impacted by their type of disability in a unique way, and have varying needs as a result. 

Whether you’re looking for work, or currently employed in a full-time, part-time, or contract role, our resources will help you navigate your career journey.

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Workplaces

The businesses, organizations, and agencies who offer employment opportunities are fundamental to building inclusive communities.

Creating accessible workplaces for people with a disabling condition requires the support of owners and operators, managers, supervisors, co-workers, and human resource professionals. 

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Communities

Rural communities are strengthened through the service agencies, Elders, industry associations, and government agencies that support its residents. Community supports can also include friends, family members, and mentors.

This network of supports and systems both influence and are influenced by the individual and the workplace.

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Diversity At Work Partners

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With Funding Provided By