Light It Up! For NDEAM: Over 230 Locations in Almost 100 Cities Across Canada to Shine Purple and Blue Light on Importance and Benefits of Disability-Inclusive Recruitment and Hiring
Whitby, ON — This year, the fall colours shining across Canada will be purple and blue, as communities nationwide Light It Up! For NDEAM™ the night of Thursday, October 21 to raise awareness about the importance of making sure disability-inclusive hiring is part of the business conversation about diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).
“Light It Up! For NDEAM is literally shining a spotlight on the many ways people who have a disability contribute to businesses and communities across Canada, and how they help companies be successful and competitive,” explains Jeannette Campbell, CEO of the Ontario Disability Employment Network (ODEN).
From buildings, to bridges, to municipal signs, to an old CN caboose and even an iron-ore haul truck. Over 230 structures and spaces — including the Halifax Seaport District, The Supreme Court of Canada and world-famous Canadian landmarks — will be specially lit in the first-ever, co-ordinated, nationwide lighting event of its kind during National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM).
Campbell says, “While Light It Up! For NDEAM is a single, one-night event, what it’s been doing is incredible. It’s been sparking engagement and conversation about disability-inclusive hiring in many ways, between many community agencies and businesses, and local governments, all over Canada. That’s going to have a lasting effect that I believe can affect change.”
Says Joanna Goode, Executive Director of CASE, “CASE, and our members across Canada, are excited to help bring Light it Up! For NDEAM country-wide.”
Goode adds, “This event is a catalyst for conversations about the contributions of employees who experience disability and the benefits of disability-inclusive hiring. We’re collaborating on a local, provincial and national level to create awareness and take action on removing barriers to employment.”
In 2021, there’s more awareness of, conversation about, and action on disability inclusion in business and employment than ever before. However, disability-inclusion efforts still too often get left out or left behind when business priorities change. Over 600,000 Canadians who have a disability, can, and want to work. But the employment rate of this demographic is only 59%.
A July RBC Economics report noted that there’s 3.6% labour shortage across all business sectors. The report says that “ as shortages grow, so will the urgency for Canada to turn to new and under-utilized sources of labour force growth.”
“We can’t have a true post-pandemic economic recovery if businesses aren’t operating at full potential because they don’t have enough staff. It’s imperative that businesses recruit from the disability talent pool, to stay successful and competitive in the years ahead,” says Campbell.
ODEN started Light It Up! For NDEAM last year in Ontario as part of its annual October NDEAM campaign. This year, ODEN has collaborated with The Canadian Association for Supported Employment (CASE); MentorAbility Canada; and community-based disability employment service providers in all three organizations’ networks, to take Light it Up! For NDEAM nationwide.
“Outside Ontario, people have been hearing about Light it Up! For NDEAM for the first time. The enthusiastic response by so many is thrilling,” says Campbell.
ODEN and CASE fostered participation by creating a Light It Up! For NDEAM PR Kit downloadable from the ODEN website.
“We wanted to make it as easy as possible for people across the country to participate in Light It Up! For NDEAM, and engage with their local businesses and municipalities about the importance of disability inclusion in business,” explains ODEN’s Dean Askin, National Campaign Co-ordinator of the event. “And that’s clearly happening, by the huge response and level of participation.”
Even the federal government is participating in Light It Up! for NDEAM. The Property Facilities Management Directorate of Public Services and Procurement Canada is lighting up 34 federal buildings across the country. These include the Supreme Court building in Ottawa and the New Quebec Custom House National Historic Site in Quebec City.
“They said they definitely wanted to participate because of the message about disability inclusion that’s behind Light It Up! for NDEAM” Askin says. “They felt it’s really in line with the federal accessibility strategy for the public service, and they were excited about supporting our initiative. Having the federal government involved in this first national event is really exciting.”
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is also participating in Light It Up! For NDEAM. The federal department is lighting up purple and blue eight of its Research and Development centres, in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia.
The official list of over 230 participating locations in almost 100 cities and towns, includes: The Burrard Street Bridge and BC Place in Vancouver; several City and Town Halls, in Alberta, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan; Confederation Centre of the Arts in Charlottetown; Alloway Hall at the Manitoba Museum in Winnipeg; the New Brunswick Legislature in Fredericton; the Newfoundland and Labrador Lieutenant-Governor’s House in St. John’s; the Greenstone Government of Canada building in Yellowknife; and the new interactive “Ottawa” sign in the Byward Market.
As well, these world-famous Canadian landmarks are lighting up next Thursday night: The Terry Fox Memorial at Mile 0, at the Port of St. John’s, NL; The Big Fiddle at the Port of Sydney, NS; The Big Nickel in Sudbury, ON; Niagara Falls (the Horseshoe Falls); and the CN Tower. Both the CN Tower and the Niagara Parks Commission participated in the first Light It Up! For NDEAM.
(Editors and writers note: the full list of Light It Up! For NDEAM participating locations is attached at the end of this news release.)
“It’s going to be a historic night,” says Campbell. “I hope, and think, the conversations about disability-inclusive hiring that Light It Up! For NDEAM is igniting, will continue long after the night is over.”
The social media hashtags for Light It Up! For NDEAM are: #LightItUpFor NDEAM, #LightItUp1021 and #EngageTalent.
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For more information, and to arrange interviews, contact:
Dave Bennett, Xposure PR dave@xposurepr.com 905-339-6668
Dean Askin, Communications Strategist, ODEN daskin@odenetwork.com 416-818-1514 (cell)
ABOUT ODEN: The Ontario Disability Employment Network (ODEN), created in 2008, is a professional body of more than 130 employment service providers united to increase employment opportunities for people who have a disability. Members are from every corner of the province and support people of all disability types. Beyond Ontario, ODEN (odenetwork.com) has connections with organizations in other provinces and territories of Canada. Light It Up! For NDEAMTM is a trademark of the Ontario Disability Employment Network.
ABOUT CASE: The Canadian Association for Supported Employment (CASE) is a national association for the supported employment sector. CASE works with service providers, employers and community allies to promote employment inclusion of people who experience disability. Find out more about CASE at https://supportedemployment.ca.
Light It Up! for NDEAM Confirmed List of Participating Locations
NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR
Corner Brook
Joseph R. Smallwood Building
Labrador City
Labrador West Employment Corporation
Iron Ore Company of Canada (Haul truck
at main entrance)
Springdale
Green Bay Community Employment Centre
St. John’s
The John Cabot Building
Bannerman Brewing Co.
Avalon Employment Inc.
Lieutenant-Governor’s House
The Salvation Army Ches Penney Centre of Hope
Enviroblu Solutions Inc.
Warehouse Transport Group
M&M Properties Ltd.
Indigo Parking Management
HappilyNeverAfter
Ossetra Wondrous Earth
Scrub Er Down Extreme Auto Detailing
St. John’s City Hall
Terry Fox Memorial at Mile 0
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
Charlottetown
City Hall Tower
Confederation Centre of the Arts
Jean Canfield Building
RCMP “L” Division Headquarters
Daniel J. MacDonald Building
Summerside
City Hall
Joseph A. Ghiz Building
NOVA SCOTIA
Amherst
Nova Scotia Works Cansa Building
Antigonish
Career Connections Nova Scotia
Farmers’ Market Insurance Company
Bridgewater
Nova Scotia Works – Employment Solutions
Society
Cape Breton (Sydney)
Sydney Government of Canada Building
Nova Scotia Works – Island Employment
The Big Fiddle (Port of Sydney)
Cape Breton Centre for Craft and Design
Bank of Montreal Museum
Guysborough
Career Connections Nova Scotia
Guysborough County Community Business Development Corporation
Municipality of the District of Guysborough (Municipal Office)
Guysborough PharmaChoice
Halifax
City Hall
TEAM Work Cooperative Offices
The Salt Yard Develop (Develop Nova Scotia)
Halifax Seaport District (Port of Halifax)
Hatchet Lake
Nova Scotia League for Equal Opportunities
Kentville
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada – Kentville
Research and Development Centre
Mulgrave
Mulgrave Memorial Centre (Town of Mulgrave)
New Glasgow
Career Connections Nova Scotia
IGNITE Atlantic
Pictou County Chamber of Commerce office
Tim Hortons 687 East River Road
Tim Hortons 750 Westville Road
Pizza Delight 688 East River Road
Subway 677 East River Road
Burnnott Limited Office 677 East River Road
Canadian Tire
Global Courseware Inc.
Pictou
Municipality of Pictou County (Municipal Office)
Stellarton
Town Hall
Trenton
Town of Trenton (old CN caboose 79294)
Truro
Town Library
Yarmouth
IGNITE Atlantic
NEW BRUNSWICK
Fredericton
Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick Building
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada – Fredericton
Research and Development Centre
Miramichi
Miramichi Pay Centre
Moncton
Gulf Fisheries Centre
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
(310 Baig Blvd.)
Shediac
DSS Building (Government of Canada
Pension Centre)
QUEBEC
Gatineau
Place du Centre
Place du Portage III
Place du Portage IV
Office of the Information Commissioner
of Canada
Galerie Gatineau
Fontaine Building
Montreal
Organisation de l’aviation civile
internationale (OACI) (La maison de l’OACI)
The Sofitel Hotel
Dominion Square
Quebec City
Transport Canada
New Quebec Custom House National
Historic Site (Canada Border Services
Agency Quebec Region)
ONTARIO
Amherstburg
Joe Meloche Ford
Belleville
Bridge Street Bridge
Bothwell
Michael Dawthorne (ODEN Board Chair) Residence
Bracebridge
Bracebridge Falls
Community Living South Muskoka
Brampton
City Hall Clock Tower
WCG Services (Employment Ontario)
Campbellford
Career Edge offices
Chatham
Chatham-Kent Civic Centre
Clarington
Town Hall
Collingwood
Town Clock
Government of Canada Building
Coburg
Watton Employment Services
Dresden
Town Hall and Downtown Core lamp posts
Essex
Community Living Essex County (Head Office)
Haliburton
Fleming College – Haliburton School
of Art & Design
Fleming CREW Employment Centre
Hamilton
City of Hamilton Signature Sign
VPI Working Solutions – Offices
Harrow
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada – Harrow Research and Development Centre
Hawkesbury
Employment Services Centre
Huntsville
Community Living Huntsville Office
YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka
Kenora
Kenora Association For Community Living
Kingston
City Hall Façade
Springer Market Square
Lanark County
Performance Plus Rehabilitative Care Inc.
(Home Office)
Lindsay
VCCS Employment Services
Fleming College – Frost Campus
London
City Hall
Fountain at the Forks
J.A. Taylor Building
Canada Life
Sifton Properties
March of Dimes Southwest Regional Office
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada – London Research and Development Centre
Meaford
Municipal water tower
Mississauga
Civic Centre Clock Tower
Newmarket
Riverwalk Commons
Fred A. Lundy Bridge
Niagara Falls
Horseshoe Falls
North Bay
City Hall
Canadian Mental Health Association (Employment Centre Bldg.)
March of Dimes Bldg.
Vic Fedelli – MPP Office
EarlyON Centre
Community Living North Bay Offices
Oakville
Town Hall
Ottawa
“Ottawa” Sign in Byward Market
L’Esplanade Laurier
Minto Place Canada Building (Property 54614)
Sir William Logan Building
Department of National Defence Carling Campus Building 5
Supreme Court of Canada
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada – Ottawa Skyline Buildings (Tower 7)
Peterborough
Fleming College campuses
Fleming College Muskoka–Kawarthas Employment Services Office
Employment Planning & Counselling Peterborough
Agilec office
Fleming CREW Employment Centre
Alternatives Community Program Services
Picton
Community Living Prince Edward
Prince Edward County OPP Detachment
Port Hope
Community Employment Services
Sarnia
City Hall
South Gravenhurst
Employment North
St. Catharines
Brock University Tower
St. Marys
Community Living St. Marys & Area Office
GC Boyle Law Firm
Town Hall
Action Health Care
Troyers Spices
Lyric Flowers
Sudbury
Taxation Data Centre
Government of Canada Building
Elm Place Tower
The Big Nickel
Sundridge
Employment North
Timmins
“Timmins” interactive municipal sign at Timmins Museum
Toronto
Canada Life Building
Pearson Control Tower
CN Tower
3D Toronto Sign
Canada Centre
Environment Canada Building
The Azrieli Foundation
Can Pro Investments Ltd.
Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital
March of Dimes Canada National Office
Welland
Welland Bridge 13
Windsor
East Windsor Lowe’s Store #3010
MANITOBA
Beausejour
Home Hardware
Rexall Pharmacy
Chicken Delight
Vickie’s Snack Bar
Superior Inn & Conference Centre
Beausejour Bowling Lanes
Association for Community Living – Beausejour Branch
Supported Employment Options
Colin’s House
Pennyweight Market
Brandon
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada – Brandon Research and Development Centre
Winnipeg
Manitoba Museum – Alloway Hall
Reaching E-Quality Employment Services
City of Winnipeg – “Winnipeg” signature sign
SASKATCHEWAN
Humboldt
City Hall
La Ronge
NorthSask Special Needs
North Battleford
Prairie Employment Program Building
Battlefords Trade and Education Centre
Prince Albert
Eagle’s Nest Youth Ranch Inc. – 6 residential
houses
Wintersun 420
Regina
City Hall Foyer
Clare Parker Homes (403 & 406–2206
Dewdney Ave)
Juliana Pizza
Farm Credit Canada
Saskatoon
SARC Administration Building sign
Prairie Wind in River Landing
Autism Services Saskatoon
Eagle’s Nest Youth Ranch Inc. – 6 residential houses
University of Saskatchewan Campus
River Landing East Tower
River Landing Nutrien Tower
River Landing Plaza
Swift Current
Original Joe’s
ALBERTA
Calgary
Calgary Tower
TELUS Spark Science Centre
Olympic Plaza
Arts Commons
Stephen Avenue Galleria Trees
Reconciliation Bridge
Jubilee Theatre
Edmonton
High Level Bridge
Canada Place
Jasper
Jasper Employment and Education Centre
Lacombe
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada – Lacombe Research and Development Centre
Lethbridge
City Hall
Red Deer
City Hall
BRITISH COLUMBIA
Agassiz
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada – Agassiz Research and Development Centre
Chilliwack
Downtown businesses
Garrison Crossing businesses
Nakusp
ASLC – WorkBC Centre Naksup
(Arrow and Slocan Lakes Community Services)
Nanaimo
The Bastion
North Vancouver
North Shore Disability Resource Centre
Summerland
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada – Summerland
Research and Development Centre
Surrey
RCMP “E” Division Headquarters (Green Timbers)
Burnaby Fraser Valley Tax Services Office
(9737–9755 King George Blvd)
Vancouver
BC Place
Property 16596 (formerly the federal Henry
Herbert Stevens Building)
City Hall
Burrard Street Bridge
Vanderhoof
Connexus Community Resources
Victoria
P.L. James Place
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
Yellowknife
Greenstone Government of Canada Building