SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - The Yellowknife Association for Community Living has created a manual, FASD -- A Practical Guide For Employers, to help educate businesses about the disorder and ways they can accommodate employees with the condition.

Andrea Harrison works as a receptionist at the Yellowknife Association for Community Living's Employability office. She has FASD and wants more people with the disability to gain employment. - Kevin Allerston/NNSL photo

The manual is the work of Narine Margaryan, the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder services co-ordinator for the association, and is meant to provide businesses with the tools to accommodate people with FASD and encourage them to hire workers with the condition.

"What we really would like to do is reduce the stigma around FASD, and the best way to do that is to raise awareness about the condition," said Margaryan. "We want people to understand that people with this condition aren't necessarily going to be late for work or slow learners. With the right supports, a person with FASD can have a very successful life."

She said there are some simple things employers can do to help employees with FASD.

"There are things they can do like getting them to do two tasks at a time rather than 10, because they can be easily overwhelmed. If a person has problems with memory they can set up a white board to keep track of their tasks," said Margaryan.

Andrea Harrison works as a receptionist at the YKACL Employability office. She was diagnosed with FASD at a young age and knows all about the challenges people with the disability can face in the workplace. She has been working at the office on 49 Street for three and a half years.

"People with FAS are good workers," said Harrison. "Just give us a chance to show what we can do and focus on the positives. With me, I face challenges when it comes to my memory and being on time. My manager, she doesn't put many tasks for me to do at once and I have a whiteboard to help me remember my tasks. It's also important that I have a consistent schedule.

"It's important for employers to learn about FASD so that more people with the disability can find employment," she added.

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.