The Neil Squire Society’s Atlantic Regional office is excited to be hosting the Walk and Roll Challenge (new window) on May 31st, 2013 during Disabiltiy Awareness Week (new window). Last year 22,000 people participated in the challenge, raising awareness of people with disabilties across New Brunswick (new window). This year the Neil Squire Society has a past Employ-Ability participant, Kevin Brennan, organizing the event. Kevin, who has a physical disabiltiy, wanted to share his story during Disability Awareness Week.
“Late in the summer of 2012 some good fortune came my way. No, I did not win the lotto, but what did occur, in a way, was even better.
What followed was more than six months of focussed exploration of work-values, habits and, admittedly, some self-defeating misconceptions surrounding accessibility to employment—definitely not the typical one day dust-off-your-resume workshop approach.
It has been my observation that the most successful people are those who consistently play to their strengths. Unfortunately, not everyone is aware of where their strengths lie. The Employ-Ability Program helps people, firstly, to find their strong points, then, secondly, to match their interests and sometimes newly discovered abilities to employment choices they may never before have even considered. That is what happened to me. Over the course of half a year, my facilitators saw in me the ability to assume greater workplace responsibilities. I was hired on as co-ordinator of the 2013 Walk and Roll Challenge.
Now in its 26th year, this province wide awareness raising event is held in conjunction with Disability Awareness Week and will take place in 2013 on Friday, May 31st. The motivation behind the Walk and Roll Challenge is to imprint on the public the idea that although people may face various physical challenges, their imagination and creative talent have not been diminished. Also, that employers should come to know that a great pool of motivated people representing a variety of strengths lie waiting for the opportunity to make their contribution to society. The Walk and Roll Challenge has nothing to do with raising funds, but is all about raising awareness.
My work has brought me in contact with nearly every school in New Brunswick, as well as several businesses and various service providers. The distinction between learning curve and learning experience has been blurred, and I have the Employ-Ability Program at the Neil Squire Society to thank for steering me in the direction of my current job.”
For more infromation about the Neil Squire Society’s Atlantic Regional office please contact:
Fredericton phone: 506-450-7999
Moncton phone: 506-856-9101
Toll-Free phone: 1-866-466-7999