Down Syndrome Week in Canada runs from Oct. 24 to Oct. 29. It is a week to show that Canada is where all people are valued and are fully participating citizens. It is our week to celebrate people with Down
Syndrome (DS) and consider their contributions to our community.
This year, we are celebrating and showcasing the abilities of people with DS and highlighting employment stories and projects.
Having a job to go to is a big part of inclusion in communities, It also gives people a sense of worth and contribution.
People with DS lead full lives. They go to school, work in the community, make their own decisions and contribute to society.
Support from their families and community, good health care and quality educational experiences all help individuals lead fulfilling lives.
In this article, we are highlighting Shinji. He and his family are members of the Thompson Nicola Ups and Downs Society (TNUDS).
Shinji is 19 and enrolled in his second year in the TRU education and skills training program (ESTR). ESTR provides knowledge about future employment opportunities and training in specific areas for people
who experience barriers to employment.
During the full-time nine-month program, students divide their time between classes, labs and work placements.
Shinji’s first year at TRU concentrated on careers, which provided him with certification for basic first-aid, WHIMS, forklift and other workplace certificates.
As a result of his acquired qualifications from ESTR, Shinji applied to the City of Kamloops for an assistant labour position.
After a successful interview, he was hired to work on a grounds and maintenance team at McArthur Island Park this past summer. From June 1 to Sept. 2, Shinji worked full-time on a team responsible for maintaining
the sports fields, Norbrock Stadium, disc golf course and other facilities.
As a Special Olympian in softball, he enjoyed working on the fields on which he plays.
“My favourite part of the job was on new employee orientation day — me and my team spent the day on a bus seeing all the city parks, Mission Flats sewage-treatment facility and the water-treatment plant,” Shinji said.
He will be studying retail while attending his next two semesters at TRU.
While attending university, Shinji works part-time at a local grocery store. His responsibilities are retrieving and organizing all grocery carts and baskets, cleaning all carts and baskets, general store cleaning and stocking
shelves.
A very motivated young man, Shinji is eager to be part of the employed sector, Prior to working at the grocery store, he worked with the graffiti task force, as a farm worker and as a custodian.
Employing people with DS, or another ability, is not just about doing good, it’s good for businesses.
They are part of an untapped labour pool of qualified and skilled workers.
People with Down Syndrome are capable and motivated and are known to have high employment retention rates. They are very diligent in their responsibilities and have a pleasant and happy demeanour that will boost morale
and company culture.
