Special Promotional Feature

2^nd Annual AIM Conference
Embracing Ability: Making It Happen
March 5^th & 6^th, 2014
REGISTER: www.abilitiesinmind.ca

Following a very successful inaugural conference in 2013, Abilities in Mind (AIM) promises a bigger and better event. The theme is “Embracing Ability: Making It Happen”, highlighting workshop presenters who have demonstrated best practices on building and sustaining an inclusive workforce of people with disabilities.

We have lined up three impressive keynote speakers to open and close each day who exemplify innovative ways in attracting, employing, and retaining individuals with disabilities.

• Roxanne Sawatzky is the founder of Empowering Change, a leading organization empowering service providers to enhance existing interactions with multi-barriered individuals.
• Barry deGeest is the co-owner of a large and successful company in New Zealand, Renaissance Group which supports people with disabilities in education & awareness, and home-based supports.
• Debra Ruh is the CEO and Founder of the Ruh Global a business focused on Digital Marketing and Communications. She is presenting with her daughter, Sara who is the official spokesperson for Ruh Global and has worked for Nordstrom’s since 2007. She is internationally renowned keynote and inspirational speaker.

The conference will also feature 16 workshops as a space for companies, organizations, and self-advocates highlighting strategies to build inclusive workplaces. AIM is seeking proposal to share the ‘abilities’ in people within the workforce. Proposal submissions are encouraged, whether it is a lecture, hands on demonstrations, panels, or roundtable discussions. More information.

In conjunction with the conference, companies and organizations are invited to showcase their best practices for the promotion of an inclusive and sustainable workforce. Register as an exhibitor.

About Abilities in Mind (AIM)
Most employers desire to have inclusive workplaces, however sometimes find it challenging to recruit, hire, develop and retain persons with disabilities. As a result, the AIM concept was created in response to a need from employers in the Vancouver business community to obtain support and enhance their organizational capacity to include persons with disabilities in their workplaces. It is a program of the BC Centre for Ability, an organization that has been providing services to persons with disabilities for over 40 years.

The goal of AIM is to reframe disability and focus on the ability of all individuals. We strive to facilitate a perceptual shift allowing employers to see the value in attracting, hiring, retaining and promoting individuals with disabilities.

AIM is creating a sustainable learning and development framework to meet the needs of the business community. We have partnered with leaders in the business community, dynamic service providers and most importantly, numerous individuals with disabilities to provide knowledge to employers.