October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), and the Brightshores Health system is participating in the Light It Up initiative.
Vice President Corporate Services and Chief Human Resource Office Rebecca Cummings said all Brightshores sites will be lit up on October 17.
"The Ontario Disability Employment Network (ODEN) has started an initiative, it's about five years old, to bring awareness to equity and employment, specifically supporting people with disabilities in accessing employment opportunities," explained Cummings. "So they asked different businesses to bring some recognition to equity and employment by lighting up their businesses in purple and blue lights for just one evening a year."
Cummings added they'll light up all six of their hospital sites in Lion's Head, Wiarton, Owen Sound, Markdale, Meaford, and Southampton Thursday evening.
"The event starts at seven, but we're going to turn the lights on as soon as it's dark, because we're excited to light it up in blue and purple for this good cause," exclaimed Cummings.
Cummings pointed out the initiative aligns with their work.
"Brightshores Health System has been putting a lot of effort and thought into how we can be an inclusive space for all," she continued. "We've launched a new equity, diversity and inclusion framework. We started an inclusion advisory council with our community so that their voices are at the table, and we're working with the people we serve on how we are in a more inclusive place all around. So this initiative aligns really well with our work to be a great place for everybody and open up opportunities that might not otherwise be there."
This is the first time an entire hospital network anywhere in Canada is participating in the event.
"This is the first time an entire hospital network anywhere in Canada is participating in the event. It’s really exciting to have Brightshores Health System involved in Light It Up! for NDEAM in such a big way,” said Dean Askin, Communications Strategist for the ODEN.
Cummings said Brightshores Health System, Bruce Peninsula Hospitals Foundation, Centre Grey Health Services Foundation, Meaford Hospital Foundation, Brightshores Owen Sound Foundation and Saugeen Memorial Hospital Foundation are committed to equitable employment.