Large and small employers share business cases demonstrating benefits of employing people with disabilities

TORONTO, Nov. 17, 2011 /CNW/ - More than 250 leaders from Ontario's private, public and non-profit sectors will come together November 21^st and 22^nd for-Leading with Action - the 8^th Annual JOIN (Job Opportunities Information Network) Employer Conference presented by the Ontario government and Scotiabank. Canada's premier event on diversity and inclusion, the conference will feature leading diversity employer experts who will examine the positive impact of building inclusive and accessible workforces. The event comes just in advance of the UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3, 2011.

"Scotiabank is proud to support the JOIN conference and the doors it opens to solutions for people with disabilities to gain employment and make a meaningful contribution," said JP Savage, Senior Vice President of Scotiabank's Enterprise Technology Management Office. "When we build more accessible and inclusive workforces, we create an environment with diverse perspectives that in turn strengthen decision making and better serve our customers and communities."

Day one Conference sessions will examine best practices related to recruiting, hiring and retaining persons with disabilities and supporting customers with disabilities - the largest minority demographic in Canada. Day two will focus on implementation of workplace inclusion and accessibility opportunities for people with disabilities.

The conference features outstanding speakers a few of which include:

• The Honourable John Milloy, Minister of Community and Social Services
• The Honourable David C. Onley, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario and Honorary Patron of the Ontario JOIN Conference (via video link)
• Alex Valdez, Entertainer and renowned accessibility advocate
• Montel Williams, Television and Radio Personality

Mr. Williams will close the conference sharing his personal perspectives from his book, Climbing Higher, published following his 1999 Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis. "I had not told my children, my parents, or even the company that syndicated my show," he said. "I didn't do so because of the same fear that a lot of the people have about illness disclosure. As soon as you say you are ill in this country [U.S.A], people automatically assume you are weak, and in my very public profession, weakness is not tolerated. The reason I hid my diagnosis is because I thought if I came forward, I'd lose my job. I thought I'd lose my family."

"At the Ontario JOIN offices we, too, hear words similar to these and for that reason continue to educate employers on the benefits of hiring and retaining employees with disabilities," said Sharon Myatt, Employer Development Consultant, Ontario JOIN. "The conference also provides the opportunity to announce our 2011 Employer Award Winners, those companies or organizations which have made significant contributions around this very important global issue."

The 7^th Annual JOIN Employer Conference will be held Monday and Tuesday, November 21-22, 2011 at the On the Park Events and Conference Centre 1095 Leslie Street, Toronto. Additional information about the conference and JOIN can be found at www.joininfo.ca

About Ontario JOIN
Ontario JOIN is a non-profit organization that brings together job seekers with disabilities and employers. JOIN represents more than 25 service providers who offer employment supports to persons with disabilities.   The total number of clients JOIN agencies serve is greater than a quarter of a million clients.

About Scotiabank
Scotiabank is committed to supporting the communities in which we live and work, both in Canada and abroad, through our global philanthropic program, Scotiabank Bright Future.  Recognized as a leader internationally and among Canadian corporations for our charitable donations and philanthropic activities, Scotiabank has provided on average approximately $44 million annually to community causes around the world over each of the last five years. Visit us at www.scotiabank.com