Foothills SNAPS presented some valuable information at last week's Okotoks and District Chamber of Commerce luncheon.

Orvella Small, Executive Director for Foothills SNAPS, says the way something is phrased when said can make all the difference, and should always be led with person first.

"Quite often, this is just an example, they'll say "that autism kid." You could have said "the kid with autism." I don't like either of them, but it's better off to say "there's Joe, and they have a child with autism," it's not leading with their diagnosis, it's leading with who they are first as a person," she said,

SNAPS HIRE Career Advisor, Dean Goll, and his colleague, Cory Gialleonardo presented information on person first and disclosure as it applies to the workforce and interview process.

Small says there are challenges for both the employer and employee to overcome.

"I think it's important for us to recognize that there are many people coming into the work force now who have different barriers to employment. We talk about when we do the interview, and things seem a bit different, and the complication around asking questions. People come to you for a job based on their skills, not on what they're not able to do," said Small.

She says it's important to use the minimum requirements of the job as a guideline as to whether any person is the right fit for a position.

The presentation also informed employers that they have options when it comes to accommodating an employee with unique needs, in terms of grant funding if there are costs attached to any adjustments needed.

More information can be found by clicking here: http://fsnaps.org/employment-support/hire/

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