Gordon MacIntyre has three years of experience at the Lowe’s in Sherwood Park. He checks that everything is facing forward and that the aisles are clean. The 33-year-old is a professional who takes pride in his work.
For me, my job is fairly straightforward, MacIntyre remarked. “This business is fantastic. To me, this place feels like home.
His shift on Thursday wasn’t like any other shift. Glen Lawrence, a councilman for Strathcona County, was given the opportunity to learn from him.
It is a component of Disability Employment Awareness Month, which Winder Inclusive Community Service is coordinating (WICS).
“I was quite happy with how well he listened. He had some insightful questions for me, MacIntyre remarked.
Lawrence remarked, “I think it’s amazing because I get to hear him talk about how content he is with his profession and the people he works with. “He believes he is making a difference.
”
“Because you learn, it would be incredibly cool to just perform a different one every time… both you and I are learning now. That’s excellent.
Buddy Winder, the executive director of WICS, said the organisation serves adults with developmental impairments and fosters meaningful community engagement.
“That mentality of those who live with a disability is what we are truly attempting to alter.
We want to demonstrate to others that they share our needs, wants, and want to give back to our communities.
For the first time, WICS has scheduled a number of job shadowing events with its clients. It hopes that it will help those with impairments who are looking for work to overcome difficulties.
“We will approach some places of employment and when they see that person has a disability, their response is: ‘Oh, I’m sorry.
I don’t think they could do anything here,'” Winder said.
According to Winder, this experience demonstrates that people are truly performing the same tasks as everyone else in the area.
“We want to demonstrate to everyone that individuals have talents and skills, and that they want to share them with others as well as earn money and pay taxes in order to maintain the resources that we all share.
While the purpose of this event was to broaden people’s perspectives, MacIntyre saw it as a chance to boost his self-esteem and demonstrate all that he is capable of. It’s pretty fantastic for me to be Glen’s equivalent of a mentor.
“I get to show Glen what I do, so it feels very good and amazing to say that.
Work by persons with impairments is highlighted by job shadowing opportunities.
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