Cowichan's disabled get job boost in Measuring Up 10 by 10 Challenge
Cowichan Independent Living's Loren Halloran brought together Cowichan's leaders — such as Duncan Councillor Sharon Jackson, CVRD Director Lori Iannidinardo, CVRD Chair Gerry Giles, North Cowichan Councillor Al Siebring and North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP Const. Ed Power — to experience accessibility issues first-hand during a wheelchair wheel-a-thon. Through initiatives like these, CIL has raised awareness of disability issues in the valley.
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When it comes to boosting jobs for people with disabilities, Cowichan more than measures up.
And Loran Halloran has the numbers to prove it.
The program co-ordinator for Cowichan Independent Living’s Measuring Up 10 by 10 Challenge, Halloran aimed to lift employment for individuals with disabilities 10 per cent by 2010.
Six months ahead of schedule, Cowichan has measured up with 10 per cent in 2009.
“Our Cowichan Valley target number was 192 people — on June 1 this target was officially met,” said Halloran of the almost 200 disabled folks who are now working with help from CIL.
Halloran credits local service providers and businesses for helping to reach the target ahead of schedule, and valley media for boosting awareness in the community.
“But employment was not the only issue — access and disability issues are also significant,” he added.
And some in the valley are still lagging behind.
“Cowichan Independent Living conducted a telephone survey asking business owners if their businesses were accessible to persons with disabilities, including wheelchair users,” said Halloran. “In mostly all cases, people were reception to our questions, but a few were not.”
One owner responded by saying, “We’re not interested in that kind of thing,” and another advised the volunteer caller not to “get in the way,” Halloran said.
Still, he’s confident Cowichan overall is “open-minded to positive change,” — although the work isn’t over yet.
“We’ll continue to move forward advocating and planning for persons with disabilities in our community,” he said. “Disability isn’t a choice — attitude is.”
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