Fleming College turns the spotlight on workplace disability inclusion at NDEAM event

Peterborough, ON – (October 13, 2026) – Fleming College will shine a light on inclusive employment practices as it proudly takes part in the seventh annual Light It Up! For National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)™.

On October 15, Fleming will illuminate its campuses and employment services offices in purple and blue lights to help spark conversations and bring awareness to the importance of disability inclusion in the workplace.

Led by the Ontario Disability Employment Network (ODEN), this one-day, nationwide event aims to empower individuals with disabilities and celebrate their contributions to our communities. This year’s theme, “Skills Grow Economies. Disability Inclusion Fuels the Growth”, focuses on the skills already available in Canada’s workforce and the role disability inclusion can play in helping businesses access talent, strengthen performance, and grow.

“We are proud to join this important initiative, and we encourage organizations throughout our communities to ‘Light it Up’ to show support for disability inclusion in employment,” says Joanne Spicer, Associate Vice President, Student Experience at Fleming College. “Illuminating our spaces is a visible symbol of our ongoing strategic commitment to create meaningful opportunities for participation. When everyone is heard and their employability skills and talents are recognized, we can build stronger campuses, workplaces, and communities.”

Fleming College invites municipalities, businesses, and organizations in the region to join in by lighting up landmarks, buildings, and offices, and sharing messages of support. To participate in Light It Up! For NDEAM™ and other related events happening in October, visit www.odenetwork.com.

Fleming’s Muskoka-Kawarthas Employment Services is also partnering with ODEN to facilitate the Working Together to Advance Disability Inclusive Employment Across Ontario project, which is funded in part by the Government of Ontario. The project includes training sessions, resources, and learning opportunities for employment service providers in the region. These are collectively intended to increase the knowledge, skills, and confidence of employment professionals in delivering disability inclusive employment services and supporting successful outcomes for both job seekers and employers.

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Light It Up! For NDEAM™ is a trademark of the Ontario Disability Employment Network. Used with permission.

Quick Facts
Sixty-three per cent of employers identify skills gaps as the biggest barrier to business transformation between 2025 and 2030 (World Economic Forum, 2025).

At the same time, valuable skills are being underutilized:

• More than 741,000 Canadians who have a disability had the potential to work but were not employed (Statistics Canada, 2024)
• Nearly 1 in 3 employed people who have a disability were overqualified for their jobs (Statistics Canada)

Disability inclusive companies report 2.6 times more net income, 1.6 times more revenue, and 25 per cent higher productivity (Accenture, 2023). Inclusive organizations also report eight times stronger outcomes in innovation, retention, and customer service (Deloitte, 2023).

About Muskoka-Kawarthas Employment Services
Muskoka-Kawarthas Employment Services (MKES), a division of Fleming College, is the Service System Manager for Employment Services in City of Kawartha Lakes, District of Muskoka, County of Haliburton, Northumberland County, and Peterborough City and County. Serving both job seekers and employers, MKES assists its communities with locally responsive employment programs and services, with a goal to remove systemic barriers for clients and improve overall job retention. By creating more opportunities for sustainable employment, MKES aims to build prosperity within our communities and contribute to a strong regional economy that benefits everyone. Muskoka-Kawarthas Employment Services is funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.

More information:
communications@flemingcollege.ca