Hager Kassab has been on the job hunt for an extended period, losing track of the exact duration. Residing in Cornwall, Ont., Kassab aims to relocate to Ottawa to be closer to her family. She expressed the challenges she faces in finding employment due to limited job opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
Joining numerous job seekers, Kassab attended the Spectrum Works Career Fair in downtown Ottawa, an annual event held in Ottawa and Toronto, focusing on providing meaningful job opportunities for individuals with autism. This year’s event coincides with a tough job market, with Statistics Canada reporting a rise in the unemployment rate to 7.1% in August, the highest since May 2016, excluding the pandemic years.
Statistics Canada notes a significant disparity in employment rates for individuals with disabilities compared to those without, particularly in Quebec and Ontario. According to the 2017 Canadian Survey on Disability, only 33% of Canadians aged 20 to 64 with autism are employed.
Neil Forester, co-founder of Spectrum Works, emphasized the fair’s goal of bridging the employment gap for individuals with autism. The event in Ottawa attracted 300 registered attendees and featured 11 employers and various agencies offering support in the job search process.
Job seekers like Greyson Toombes and Rodney Smith shared their struggles with discrimination during interviews due to their disabilities. Toombes, a recent radio broadcasting program graduate, expressed the challenges he faces when disclosing his limited hours availability during interviews. Smith highlighted concerns about potential discrimination based on how he communicates during interviews.
Despite the hurdles faced by job seekers, Forester mentioned the event’s success in connecting many individuals with employment opportunities since its inception in 2017. While some attendees left the fair feeling hopeful, others remained skeptical about the prospects. Kassab, reflecting on her exhaustive job search, expressed openness to any accommodating part-time job opportunities that align with her availability.
The Toronto leg of the job fair is scheduled for October 17, offering further opportunities for job seekers and employers to connect.