This week is Disability Employment and Awareness Month, or DEAM, Week in Swift Current recognizes disabled workers and their dream of gainful employment.

SaskAbilities Partners in Employment launched the week and received a proclamation from Swift Current City Council tonight to make DEAM Week official.

Program Manager for SaskAbilities, Jada Watson, along with Jackie Powell, supervisor of Partners in Employment for SaskAbilities, presented to city council. Joining them was Job Seeker and City Employee, Tyler Servant.

"DEAM is nationally recognized for the month of October across the country," said Watson. "We are excited to recognize and celebrate many of the inclusive employers that hired people with disabilities in Swift Current and southwest Saskatchewan throughout the month."

Among the companies and groups that have hired individuals with disabilities in Swift Current, is the City of Swift Current itself.

"Jim Jones, general manager of community services, and Michael Newell, parks manager, saw an opportunity and met with us to explore diversifying their summer students by hiring a job seeker with a disability that was supported by Partners in Employment," said Watson.

The City employs Tyler Seaver as a labourer, working in the rental gardens and helping with the grounds at Memorial Park. His work planting flowers has helped improve the views for many denizens of Swift Current as they stroll through the park grounds, admiring the hard work he has put into making them so beautiful this year.

With five local businesses already signed up, and eight currently looking to partner, this year is looking good for inclusivity in Swift Current via the SaskAbilities Partners in Employment. On October 20, Partners in Employment will be hosting a single-night event looking to introduce employers to disabled workers, helping them find employees they can partner with to help enrich their clients' lives through meaningful work.

For any party interested, they can reach out to Jackie Powell at SaskAbilities.