Assisting Those with Disabilities

We all have abilities and talents. Cétal is a non-profit organization whose objective is to integrate handicapped individuals, be it physical or mental, into the workforce and assist them in sharing their abilities and talents to become contributing members of the community.

Since its founding 35 years ago with 15 employees, Quebec-based Cétal has expanded its workforce to 120 individuals. “Many people with disabilities want to have a job, earn a wage, and be included and valued in their work,” says Stéphane Levac, General Director for Cétal. Despite this desire, they are sometimes overlooked due to fear and misunderstanding.

Contrary to belief, the profile of a worker with a disability often reads like that of an ideal employee: Engaged, motivated, attention to work quality and high productivity. Cétal employees are trained in job-related skills, safety and life situations. “We ensure that our employees are tasked with performing work duties which they are good at,” says Mr. Levac. “They lose their anxiousness through repetitive work and find comfort in routine; learning it once and doing it exactly the same each and every time!”

In 2010, Teknion’s facility at Laurier Station, Quebec, needed employees for attaching labels to T/O/S workstation panels as part of its refresh program. It was at this time that Marc Fiset, Administrative Manager, heard about Cétal and reached out for help. From the first encounter, it was evident that the two companies could learn from each other, and that this initial contact was about to spur a successful, sustainable and trusted partnership. Cétal now operates under the same roof with focus on complex wire assembly, hardware packaging and Teknion-related projects.

“It’s about producing the best product with the best quality at the best price. In this partnership, everyone is a winner,” says Mr. Levac. Both parties agree that the working relationship has been effortless, and with positive results. “Since Cétal has taken on the work, the quality has improved and the volume increased,” acknowledges Mr. Fiset.

Everyone in the workplace benefits from the value of diversity. Increases in volume and quality assurance benefit the business while the employee with a disability gains confidence and independence. What's more, community workplaces begin to truly reflect the makeup of the people that live in that community.