For the second year in a row, researchers, trainees and staff welcomed interns with disabilities, fostering an inclusive environment through hands-on experiences and valuable feedback
SOURCE: RI-MUHC
July 26, 2024
The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC) proudly participated in the 2024 version of Duo Emploi, a program offered by the Ministère du Travail, de l’Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale of Quebec. This initiative provides a one-day internship for people with disabilities, fostering an exploratory experience between the interns and their host organizations.
In June, we welcomed two wonderful interns: Alejandra De La Toba, a lab technician specializing in biotechnology, and Tania Da Cruz, an experienced administrative assistant trained in communication.
A Day in the Life at RI-MUHC
Alejandra De La Toba was hosted by the Burnier Lab, where she worked with ethanol solutions and nanoparticle samples. "I was amazed. The people at the Institute are friendly, and I was made to feel very welcome," said Alejandra. She also shared some insightful feedback: "An easy thing to do is to have chairs that are adjustable in height to make work easier for people who use a walker. People should see our talents instead of our limitations. Small adjustments like an adjustable chair can make a big difference."
Tania Da Cruz spent her day with the Metabolic Disorders and Complications Program, where she engaged in administrative activities and offered suggestions on improving the program’s communication strategies. Tania emphasized the importance of inclusivity: "It's interesting what you're doing. I think you could be more flexible and communicate more about your openness to people with disabilities, so that disabled people feel more motivated to come and work at the Institute."
Reflecting on the Experience
The research team members were deeply moved by the experience:
- Laura Kienzle: “This internship was an eye-opening experience. We became more aware of the challenges people face daily. We need to pay attention to details to create a safe space for everyone.”
- Julia Burnier: “It was a pleasure to host Alejandra and get to know her experiences. She is a talented professional with many strengths. Our lab is busy place with many projects happening at once, so it can be challenging. Alejandra adapted really well, and taught us to look at her many abilities, rather than to focus on the challenges.”
- Lenka Schorova: “One day is not enough. People need more time to get familiar with our facilities. The conversation was great and very useful for improving our communication strategies.”
The Duo Emploi program has been a valuable initiative for the RI-MUHC, promoting inclusivity and understanding within our community. We look forward to continuing our participation in this meaningful program and learning from the diverse talents it brings to our Institute.
Anyone interested in participating in this program in the future is invited to contact Diego Herrera, diego.herrera@muhc.mcgill.ca
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