When Austin Ojala, pharmacist and owner of Shoppers Drug Mart in Summerland, first met Quentin Timmer a year ago, he was impressed with Timmer鈥檚 cheerful disposition.
鈥淚 just noticed how full of joy he was and how happy he was,鈥� Ojala said. 鈥淕etting to know him, I noticed that was consistent. I wanted that a part of our team.鈥�
Ojala asked Timmer if he would be interested in working at the store. Timmer was hired in November, 2017.
Timmer is deaf and has cerebral palsy. The disability has presented some challenges and as a result, some of the tasks have had to be changed or adjusted.
September has been designated as Disability Employment Month in B.C. and in recognition of the efforts at Shoppers Drug Mart in Summerland, WorkBC presented a certificate to the store on Wednesday.
鈥淲e鈥檙e celebrating our inclusive employers,鈥� said Gali Reardigan, job retention specialist with YMCA of Okanagan WorkBC Employment Services Centre, through the contributions of the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia.
September marks B.C.鈥檚 fifth Disability Employment Month. Search hashtags #AccessibleBC and #WorkBC to learn more about it.
To assist Shoppers Drug Mart, WorkBC arranged to have an occupational therapist visit the store and conduct an ergonomic assessment.
Timmer is pleased with the opportunity to work at the store.
鈥淚t has been fantastic. I enjoy my job and I enjoy the staff here. They鈥檙e so friendly and helpful,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 been a blessing for me.鈥�
He said the efforts by the store 鈥渉ave helped me come a long way to overcome my barriers to employment.鈥�
He added that the support at the store has been incredible.
鈥淚 can never ask for another employer like Kelly and Austin,鈥� he said.
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