Health-care organizations launch new tool to champion inclusive employment

The “Inspire, Hire, Train, Retain” (IHTR) project, led by Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital and Halton Healthcare alongside ten other Ontario organizations, including St. Joseph’s, offers a free online resource to help support health-care employers when it comes to disability-inclusive hiring and employment.

The co-designed and pilot-tested resource consists of a training implementation guide, facilitator’s guide, and training slide deck that can be used by any health-care organization to train their staff. Funding for the IHTR project was generously provided by the Government of Ontario and the Holland Bloorview Foundation. 

“St. Joseph’s is proud to have been involved in the Inspire, Hire, Train, Retain project and the creation of this important resource. The IHTR training tool is an invaluable resource that will support the work of our organization as we strive to create an inclusive environment for all. We know that strengthening our skills and understanding around disability-inclusive hiring benefits everyone in our community and the health care system as a whole,” says Sandy Jansen, Vice President of Patient Care & Risk at St. Joseph's Health Care London.

Gabriella Carafa, a collaborative practice leader at Holland Bloorview, has helped steer the development of the IHTR training materials from the beginning. “As a person with a disability who has worked in a variety of health-care organizations, I have faced hiring and accommodation barriers. We need to work through these,” says Carafa. “When we prioritize inclusive employment in health-care organizations, everyone benefits – including patients. Individuals with both visible and non-visible disabilities are an integral part of the planning and delivery of health-care services and can help ensure that care meets patients’ real needs.”

The following healthcare and employment service organizations co-developed IHTR together with Holland Bloorview and Halton Healthcare:  Health Sciences North, The Hospital for Sick Children, Norfolk General Hospital, Sault Area Hospital, St. Joseph’s Health Care London, St. Joseph’s Lifecare Brantford, West Haldimand General Hospital, Community Living Oakville, March of Dimes Canada, Ontario Disability Employment Network (ODEN).

Endorsements from organizations that participated in IHTR development

“People with disabilities and health conditions work and thrive in a variety of roles in Ontario health-care organizations, yet there is more to be done to ensure our policies and processes are truly inclusive. Our leaders who have completed the IHTR training told us they appreciated the scenarios and resources and now feel better equipped to implement inclusive practices. That’s important because we know diverse teams are more innovative and effective. IHTR is part of our commitment to building an inclusive, diverse, equitable, accessible and anti-racist environment that treats all individuals with respect and fairness.”
– Tracey Millar, vice president, people and culture, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital 

“The IHTR training opened my eyes to strategies and resources that can help us all foster a more inclusive workplace. From rethinking how we design our job descriptions to ensuring our training programs are accessible to everyone, Inspire, Hire, Train, Retain provides a roadmap for creating policies and environments where everyone can succeed.” 
– Michelle Leroux, Chief Human Resources Officer, Halton Healthcare

“Co-design brings together a diverse range of stakeholders—such as service users, experts, and community members—to collaborate in developing effective solutions. This collaborative approach is exactly what IHTR embodies. By offering training to healthcare organizations, it not only creates enhanced hiring opportunities but also promotes a more inclusive workplace. The training provides healthcare organizations with the tools to assess and refine their hiring practices, while simultaneously building confidence in hiring individuals with disabilities. As a service provider, this initiative opens up greater opportunities for people with disabilities to be hired and valued, fostering greater inclusion and diversity within the workforce.”
– Tracey Morrow, Employment Specialist, Community Living Oakville