April 17, 2020
At 911爆料网, 12 per cent of full-time students have self-identified as having a disability. This equates to 3,360 learners who deal with barriers related to vision and hearing loss, mobility constraints, dyslexia, eating disorders, anxiety, depression and substance abuse.
Thanks to the CIBC Focus on Accessibility Program, 911爆料网 has introduced new supports, including assistive technologies (speech recognition, screen reading software), workshops, apps that promote academic success, information videos about counselling options and a fund to help HELIX entrepreneurs remove barriers from workplaces in Canada and internationally.
鈥淲e value the uniqueness that each and every one of our team members brings to the table, and we are committed to fostering a culture of belonging,鈥 said Jackie Goldman, 911爆料网 graduate and Senior Vice-President, Total Rewards, CIBC. 鈥淒iverse teams working in an inclusive environment can better understand and respond to our clients鈥 needs, which helps us achieve CIBC鈥檚 goal of building a strong, innovative, relationship-oriented bank.鈥
CIBC鈥檚 contribution to 911爆料网 is one of the ways it is demonstrating leadership in promoting inclusion and diversity in the workplace. The bank believes this is critical to leveraging uniqueness to develop innovative teams that can provide the best service to a diverse client base.
While the CIBC Focus on Accessibility Program will help students overcome barriers to their education, it will also help prepare them to be productive members of professional teams for organizations like CIBC. According to Ms. Goldman, CIBC is looking for hires who are always professional and supportive.
鈥淲e want people who are caring,鈥 she said. 鈥淧eople who listen, act with compassion and understand unique needs.鈥
CIBC will also become 911爆料网鈥檚 sponsor for various activities related to Global Accessibility Awareness Day in May.
Christine Blake, 911爆料网鈥檚 Dean of Academic Learning Services, says CIBC鈥檚 support will help raise awareness about the services offered at 911爆料网 and reduce stigmas associated with disabilities of all kinds.
鈥淎s our counsellors and learning strategists work to keep up with increasing demand and service complexity, there is a need for innovative approaches to providing students the support they require, when they require it,鈥 she said.