Yellowknife (Mar 19/04) - Alex Nitsiza is one employer who looks at the abilities, not the disabilities, when seeking appropriate employees for his company.

Corine Nitsiza, employment facilitator for the North Slave Employment program, helps those with disabilities find work. - Dorothy Westerman/NNSL photo

The Wha Ti entrepreneur was himself disabled by a bout of polio when he was young.

He says he does not consider what a person cannot do but instead focuses on the talents individuals have to offer a future employer.

"I've proven to myself it can be done," the convenience store, bed and breakfast and taxi service owner of 13 years said.

"If someone is given a chance, it's a worthwhile program that could turn someone's life around."

Corine Nitsiza, employment facilitator for the North Slave Employment program, said the successful entrepreneur is but one example of those who do not consider the disability when looking at a person's resume.

The program, started in 2002, is funded by the North Slave Education, Culture and Employment department and is run from the office of the NWT Council of Persons with Disabilities in Yellowknife.

The employment facilitator said the four Dogrib communities of Rae-Edzo, Wha Ti, Gameti and Wekweti are included in the program, which provides support and information to clients with disabilities.

Nitsiza said statistics show there are 140 potential clients within these four communities.

Currently, the program works with 27 clients while there are 11 working clients.

"It's a challenge to find work in smaller communities where there aren't many employers," Nitsiza said.

Tony Rabesca, an alcohol and drug addictions councillor from Gameti First Nation, said he works with Nitsiza by promoting education and awareness about the program.

"It's very important to support those with a disability," Rabesca said.

Nitsiza said after people identify themselves as having a disability, the program offers profiles which determine their abilities and identify weaknesses and strengths.

"We then help by sending their resumes to potential employers," Nitsiza said.