WorkBC encourages employers in the Central Okanagan to be more inclusive – Okanagan [Video]

Businesses in the Central Okanagan are being encouraged to make their workplaces more diverse, by hiring employees with different abilities.

On Thursday afternoon, a job fair in Kelowna, B.C. was held designed to be more inclusive.

Dale Froese has Down syndrome and has been working at Starbucks in Kelowna for nearly 15 years. He’s glad that an employer gave him an opportunity all those years ago.

“We’re just people of our community, we just want to get out and be a part of that,” said Dale.

“The skills that we have just get to know us, sit down with us like — you never know, that person can be hired.”

His wife Leanne Froese also works at Starbucks and she’s also nearing her 15th work anniversary. She says employers need to change their view of disabled people in the workplace.

“There’s a word going around and it’s (about) people are afraid of …