Inclusive hiring works. Research and experience have shown that an inclusive workplace drives innovation, providing distinct economic and social advantages to businesses of all sizes and industries. For most employers the only thing stopping the transition to an inclusive workplace can be a lack of knowledge.
That’s where RWA Works comes in.
RWA Works is a free resource hub, available on demand, providing the know-how and resources to support businesses in hiring employees with an intellectual disability or Autism Spectrum Disorder. Our series of introductory level courses cover a variety of topics on inclusive employment, and are publically available. They provide employers with knowledge and increased confidence to hire, and can be a useful resource to share with colleagues and employees as you work together to grow your inclusive workforce. If you’re ready to discover the business advantage that inclusion brings, RWA Works is ready to get you started.
RWA Works was developed through the Ready, Willing and Able (RWA) initiative. Funded by the Government of Canada’s Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities and active in 20 communities across the country, RWA is a national partnership initiative of the Canadian Association for Community Living and Canadian Autism Spectrum Disorders Alliance and their member organizations.
The Step-by-Step Guide for Enrolling in RWA Works
Ready, Willing and Able (RWA) is a national partnership of the Canadian Association for Community Living (CACL), the Canadian Autism Spectrum Disorders Alliance (CASDA) and their member organizations. Funded by the Government of Canada and active in 20 communities across the country, RWA is designed to increase the labour force participation of people with an intellectual disability or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
In today’s hyper-competitive business environment, the difference between success and failure lies in the talent and diverse skill set of your workforce. There are approximately 500,000 working age adults with intellectual disabilities or ASD. This untapped workforce can help address current labour shortages while making businesses stronger, more diverse and more productive.
As a national strategy to develop inclusive and effective labour markets, RWA will:
- Connect and support employers, persons with intellectual disabilities or ASD and local, provincial and national community agencies
- Promote understanding and awareness among employers and the general public as to the business value of hiring people with intellectual disabilities or ASD
- Complement and enhance the capacity of community employment service delivery organizations by connecting them to new employer demand
RWA provides:
- Information about why hiring a person with an intellectual disability or ASD is good for business
- Individualized assistance to help you become a more inclusive employer
- Assistance in identifying persons with an intellectual disability or ASD to address labour force needs in your company
- Disability awareness information for your current employees
- Direct connections to community agencies who provide employment-related services and supports to persons with intellectual disabilities or ASD
- Individual on-the-job support for the employee to do their job effectively, including disability related accommodations if necessary
- Connections to other employers who have hired individuals with intellectual disabilities or ASD
- Connections to available research, best practice and expertise in the field of inclusive labour markets
