The Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work has a multitude of national programs striving to promote meaningful, supportive, and equitable employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. As innovators and agents of change, CCRW build partnerships, develop skills, share knowledge, and influence inclusive attitudes across Canada.

In Saint John, New Brunswick, these values were evident and on full display as the CCRW's "Advancing Inclusive Employment Program" engaged their longstanding relationship with the YMCA of the Greater Saint John and the Saint John Newcomers Centre to co-host an incredibly successful Regional Job Fair. The "Inclusivity and Opportunity" themed employment event brought forth nearly 450 pre-registered job seekers, 30 plus employers, 10 community agencies, prominent community leaders, as well as a local media presence. This marked the first in-person Regional Job Fair in the past three years and more importantly it was the first time all three co-host agencies worked on a common employment initiative which delivered impressive outcomes.

The collective goal for the Job Fair was to address the labor market demands of employers in the region. Also, community partners, with their supportive services helped to assist newcomers and persons with disabilities overcome and combat the many unique intrinsic barriers related to finding meaningful long-term employment. CCRW has created accessible opportunities, implemented specific accommodation plans, as well as met labor market demands for a variety of local employers. As a result, our collaborative efforts have helped advance the needle on building a more inclusive and diverse workforce in the Saint John area.