[Narrator]

These are the stories of persons with disabilities who have found and thrived in fulfilling work, and of the workplace leaders with the confidence, capacity, and know-how to employ and mentor them.

In this journey, Matt Freeman describes the importance of environmental design and wraparound supports.

[Matt]

One of the most attractive things about working in rehab science at McMaster was that there were accessible washrooms on every floor. This made it easier for me to get to work, attend meetings, and simply be present at the workplace. While it might seem like an insignificant issue, access to an accessible washroom is a critical decision point for many people with disabilities.

Additionally, there were many transportation benefits from working on a university campus. Accessible buses regularly came around the campus, so getting to and from work wasn't a significant barrier.

In the spring of 2008, I encountered a challenging situation with my attendant care provider in Hamilton. They became frustrated because I needed to frequently adjust my schedule to attend work meetings. The agency told me, "Your job should understand that you can’t attend early morning meetings." I tried to explain that, as an employee, I couldn't set the schedule for the entire work team.

Ultimately, I decided to move to Toronto, an hour away from Hamilton, because the agency I found in Toronto was willing to accommodate my need for a flexible schedule. Many academics and policymakers understand that committee meetings or group meetings can pop up with little notice, and there isn’t always the luxury of a week's advance warning. This flexibility was critical for me.

These kinds of issues—like accessible washrooms and adaptable schedules—are the realities people with disabilities face when considering employment. It’s not just about the job itself but also the environment around it and how these factors influence employment opportunities.

As I progressed in my role at McMaster, one of the things I’m most proud of is that, while I initially worked on a disability-related project, my disability has become less central to my employment roles over time. It remains an important part of my identity as an employee, but my expertise has broadened beyond disability-related work.

To wrap up, my key takeaway is this: consider everything surrounding the individual, not just their success in employment. Success in employment also means improving an individual’s overall quality of life in countless ways.