Executive Director awarded Lois Hole Community Development Award

Excerpt from the Edmonton Journal, March 12, 2009 from a story by Cam Tait

Iris Saunders is widely known for her tireless work finding more employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

And it's the people she represents who inspire her.

"People with disabilities don't need sympathy, they need empathy and opportunities," Saunders says. "I truly feel privileged to work with people with disabilities and they motivate me to be my best."

Saunders was saluted last week for her efforts with the Lois Hole Community Development Award from the Canadian Paraplegic Association.

Saunders is executive director for EmployAbilities, a non-profit group. Over her 23-year tenure, Employ-Abilities has made an impact in rural Alberta.

EmployAbilities has offices in Cold Lake and Westlock, serving the areas in Barrhead, Athabasca, Lac La Biche, St. Paul, Vegerville, Fort Saskatchewan and Bonnyville. Another achievement was developing a public awareness campaign highlighting the skills and attitudes of people with disabilities.

"The biggest change that I have seen over the years is the growing acceptance of people with disabilities in our workforce today," Saunders says. "Our attitudes towards people with disabilities have shifted, where employers have accommodated employees by providing modified workstations, providing additional training and time to adapt, and offering flexible workday arrangements."

Saunders says with the current global economic slowdown, finding work for people with disabilities has become an issue. "People with disabilities are consumers, too, and ones with significant buying power," she says.

For more information call 780-432-4106 or visit employabilities.ab.ca