Disabilities can become abilities in the workforce, expert says

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Hiring people living with what are often termed “disabilities” isn’t just the right thing to do, says Mark Patterson with Ryerson University. It will also bring those organizations special skills – pointing to a financial services organization that recently hired people on the autism spectrum to help fight money laundering.

“It’s a situation where the actual disability has become an ability and they’re finding things that experts in the field and algorithms, cybersecurity and AI weren’t picking up,” he says.

There also has to be an effort to provide training and the possibility of advancing to other roles. But when that happen, he says, organizations are rewarded.

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“As I often like to say, oftentimes instead of framing it as a disability, if we find the right fit for somebody it can be an ability that adds a lot of value to an employer.”

Patterson discussed the topic with business leaders this week during the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade’s Inclusive Business Forum.

“It’s not just enough to hire somebody because you’re legislated to do it, or you think it’s just the right thing to do,” he said. “Really understanding the value that people can bring to your organization with their diverse perspectives is really important.”