Executive Director of Charlotte County Community Living Centre Laura-Lee Carrier made a presentation to Blacks Harbour Village Council on Wednesday, October 19, 2022 regarding National Disability Employment Awareness Month (DEAM), which is recognized in Canada during October. Part of Community Living Centre's mandate is to actively engage employers, job seekers experiencing disability, and the public to promote the benefits of inclusive hiring. The non-profit is hoping local businesses as well as members of village staff and town council will get involved with their latest campaign to encourage businesses to hire people with disabilities,

"The program we are working on is called 'Light it Up for DEAM' in recognition of this month," said Carrier. "We are looking at the many ways that people with disabilities can help companies meet their goals. Community Living Centre has been around since 1994 helping people with disabilities and barriers to work find employment opportunities in the community. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, many companies laid off employees, and there a lot of businesses that have changed hands, so we are re-engaging with the community."

Carrier is hoping village council will be leaders in the community by showing their support on Thursday, October 20, 2022.

"We are here asking to you to recognize this event by decorating your town hall and businesses in purple and blue and even with lights in recognition of this event," said Carrier. "Purple represents creativity and cooperation. Blue represents trust, dignity, professionalism, intelligence and loyalty. The concept of this event is simple: to think about what people with disabilities can add to the workplace. We know we are late getting this organized this year, but we are just asking for people and businesses to do this tomorrow. Anything you can do is helpful. We've brought some lights for council to add to the village hall."

Statistics Canada reports that in 2017, 3.7 million working-age Canadians identified as having a disability and that only three in five (59%) were employed. The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically amplified the situation.