Winners of the Inclusive Design Challenge: Career Advancement
CIBC and MaRS Discovery District have announced the winners of the Inclusive Design Challenge: Career Advancement.
$50,000 Grand Prize
Skill Squirrel offers cloud software that makes it easy for job seekers, trainers and employers to develop and market skills within community groups. Their skills marketplace and digital credentials help job seekers who are marginalized by having their skills valued and trusted.
For example, employment organizations, trade/professional associations, professional trainers and employers can offer digital certificates for activities such as:
- Work experience
- Participation
- Attendance
- Membership
Searches help with matchmaking to:
- Promote and locate training opportunities
- Promote and find events
- Request and find advisors
$20,000 Runners-Up
The attitudes of employers and co-workers contribute significantly to the overall employment success of people experiencing disability. Breen and Associates’ in-person Skills-Training, Awareness, Resources and Theory (START) Model has proven successful in changing workplace attitudes toward employees who experience disability. An online version of their START Model of disability awareness training is being developed.
Inclusion Inc. is a digital storytelling project to share stories of people experiencing disability who work in many industries. Employee and employer stories will provide insight, knowledge and awareness of the barriers and possible solutions to career advancement. At the same time, employers will be asked to question their biases and to consider inclusion that could lead to better workplace structures and support networks.
$5,000 Honourable Mentions
An e-learning course will be produced called “Sign2Succeed in the Workplace.” The focus will be on enhancing the inclusion of people who are deaf and others who communicate differently by creating a more sign-friendly workplace.
Fable Pathways is a free, accessible and on-demand skill development program for the tech sector created by people experiencing disability, for people experiencing disability. The goal is to create the go-to resource for people experiencing disability interested in advancing their careers and excelling in the tech sector. From web development to management, Fable Pathways provides tech training for people experiencing disability.
The official announcement by CIBC and MaRS can be found here.