April 22, 2021

Wilfrid Laurier University’s Department of Political Science and Career Development Centre, in partnership with the Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work, will host a two-day webinar series examining the ways in which the workplace is changing in Canada and the impacts of those changes on post-secondary students living with disabilities.

Many Canadians who once commuted to the office have been working from home since the beginning of the pandemic. Some workplaces have made working from home and flexible work arrangements a permanent option for employees. For students with disabilities about to enter the workforce, these changes present both opportunities and challenges.

As part of the webinar series, guest speakers Arif Jetha, a scientist with the Toronto-based Institute for Work and Health who is studying the work experiences of youth and young adults living with disabilities, and Jason Brommet, head of modern work and security at Microsoft Canada, will discuss how the changing workplace will impact students and new graduates living with disabilities, as well as what can be done to better prepare them for the workforce.

Both webinar sessions will be interactive, with opportunities for breakout room discussions with students, employers, administrators, instructors and advocates.

The first webinar, Setting the Stage, featuring Jetha as guest speaker, will be held on May 6 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. The second webinar, Thinking about Solutions, featuring Brommet as guest speaker, will be held on May 7 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Both sessions will be held via Zoom.

The webinars are free and open to the public, but registration is required. Attendees who require an accommodation can specify through the registration form or email Korrie Belanger at kbelanger@wlu.ca.