HUMBOLDT — Local disability service industry organizations are taking time to celebrate this week with the provincial government’s Disability Service Professionals Week proclamation.
Social Services Minister Paul Merriman made the announcement on May 25 as well as posted a thank you video on the government’s Facebook page.
“Disability service professionals are playing a tremendous role in assuring the safety of people with disabilities during this pandemic,” Merriman said in a press release. “I want to thank them for their work during this time and for the work they do each and every day providing services for people with disabilities.”
Futuristic Industries and the Humboldt and District Community Services are taking time this week to acknowledge their important staff that provide important services for their clients and residents, especially with the scope of their work changing because of COVID-19.
Ray Whitton, Futuristic Industries executive director, said they have been honouring their professionals with a series of Facebook posts titled, Honouring our Essentials. Around 22 disabilities professionals provide everything from quality of life services to those who work directly with residents in the group homes, he said. Right now, staff are busy planning activities for group home residents to do at home.
“Futuristic has done a wonderful job of being very participant focused... the general consensus is how blessed we are to be able to work in other people's homes and provide a level of service and care that, quite frankly, you don't have in another job.”
Staff of the Humboldt and District Community Services also took to Facebook to post a special video for all their disability professionals thanking them for their hard work. Executive Director Juanine Korte said it takes a special person to do this work.
“The people that we have working for us come from all walks of life. They come with a rich tapestry of personal experiences, they really are there to pursue the same goal and that's to improve the lives of people in our community.”
Quality of life is the number one priority when providing for their residents, Korte said, so this has meant making sure they have that quality of life while spending the majority of their time at home.
Korte said they are lucky to have all of their dedicated staff who work directly with their residents and clients.
There are many organizations across the province that provide services for people with disabilities, Korte said, including Saskatchewan’s umbrella organization, Saskatchewan Association of Rehabilitation Centres, who represent approximately 100 member agencies.
