Mayor Mike Bradley, in addition to being the mayor of Sarnia, is also an Ontario Disability Employment Network (ODEN) Business Champion.
“I would say that most people don't even know I do this,” Bradley tells The Journal. “I've been doing this for a long time…Every election term, I always look at, okay, how do I renew myself? How do I continue to find things outside of being the mayor that interests me and I'm dedicated to.”
One of Bradley’s passions, through ODEN, is advocating for and raising awareness about the benefits of a diverse and inclusive workforce. He became involved through Community Living in Sarnia when the city hired some of its members.
Mayor Mike Bradley emphasizes the importance of giving everyone in the community a chance at success, noting that society often marginalizes and stereotypes people with disabilities. He has become increasingly passionate about this issue, stating, “it’s a civil rights issue about equality.” Next year marks the 20-year timeframe set by the Accessibility for Ontarians With Disabilities Act (AODA) for achieving a fully accessible and inclusive province, but the mayor says, “we are not even close.”
“It’s vital for all Ontario business leaders and owners to recognize and understand that being an accessible and disability-inclusive employer means a lot more than ‘ticking boxes’ to be compliant with AODA standards or human rights legislation including the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Canadian Human Rights Act,” explains Jeannette Campbell, CEO of ODEN.
“Proactively embracing disability inclusion is a key to making not only your business, but the community it serves, stronger and more vibrant, both economically and socially.”
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). Research conducted by Accenture found that disability-inclusive businesses had profit margins that were 30% higher and revenue that increased by 28%. Therefore, it is fitting that this year’s theme is “Championing Disability Inclusion in Employment.”
Bradley cites Mark Wafer, a fellow ODEN champion, as a prime example. Wafer owned multiple Tim Hortons locations in Toronto, employing over 130 individuals with disabilities. "There are some great success stories of how people can move forward in their lives because they had stable, well-paid employment,” says Bradley.
He also highlights that individuals with disabilities typically have lower absenteeism and higher dedication to their employers, yet they often go overlooked. “There’s a labor pool out there, and we’re facing a shortage,” he explains. “I’ve been trying to raise awareness about this in the community. We’ve been fortunate; Community Living here is strong, and many employers have recognized the benefits of hiring people who face challenges in life.”