Item - 2020.EC14.4

The Economic and Community Development Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council direct the City Manager, in partnership with the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, and the General Manager, Toronto Employment and Social Services, to examine the City of Toronto's role in, and provide a report on, opportunities to support the economic advancement for persons living with disabilities, including but not limited to:

a.  support services and vendors relevant to the safety, success, and well-being of persons with disabilities for employment provisions which have been researched and reviewed; and

 
b.  internal employment opportunities to help foster inclusion, diversity, and accessibility for persons with disabilities by providing internal job vacancies with the City of Toronto.

2.  City Council direct the Executive Director, Social Development, Finance and Administration, and the Chief People Officer, in collaboration with the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, and in consultation with accessibility stakeholders, to develop an outreach model and determine an appropriate pilot strategy, for the purpose of providing support and referrals to relevant services, to inform workers with disabilities of their employment rights, and report to the November 16, 2020 meeting of the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee.

3.  City Council request the Province of Ontario to examine partnership opportunities for the economic advancement of persons living with disabilities, including mentoring, internships, and skills training as well as job creation.

At its meeting on July 3, 2020, the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee considered Item DI8.7, Economic Advancement Opportunities for Persons Living with Disabilities.