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Letter from the CEO
As we enter the 21st century, one fact remains the same in the business world today -companies need good employees. One of the largest costs to corporations and agencies in Canada is dollars lost, due to the wrong hire. Millions of dollars are being spent on training and development for current employees, to reduce costs due to problems associated with retention. Good employees, with a good attitude and good work ethics are the greatest asset to any organization.
There exists in Canada today, an untapped labor pool of valuable employees, who have the ability to contribute to the bottom line. These are potential employees, with a great attitude and work ethics. These are potential employees who really want to work. These are potential employees who are loyal and dedicated; yet, these are potential employees who are ignored. I am talking about Canadians with disabilities.
As a person with disabilities, I have both epilepsy and a hearing-loss, I have founded a for-profit company in Canada, Bender Consulting Services of Canada, Inc., to help provide businesses with a talented labor pool of people who want to work. Over 90 percent of my employees are Canadians with disabilities, who are qualified to work in competitive, not inferior, employment. These are professionals who want to work and who will be dedicated and loyal to the organization.
The real disability that must come down in all organizations today is an attitidudinal barrier. This is the belief that people with disabilities are inferior -- the mind set of pity and fear. People with disabilities do not want to be pitied -- they want to work.
The first company Bender Consulting Services of Canada partnered with is RBC Financial Group, a true champion company that believes that talent is the only discriminator. Under the leadership of Diana Burke, the 2002 Tony Coelho Award winner for her work in disability and employment, RBC Financial Group partnered with BCSC to employ Canadians with disabilities in competitive, information technology roles. We are very proud of our partnership with RBC Financial Group.
As we enter the 21st century, I hope all companies and organizations in Canada will let freedom ring for all Canadians who dream of work, and realize that people with disabilities have great ability.
Joyce A. Bender
President and CEO
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