Canadian Services for Job-Seekers with Disabilities

Employment Equity Act (1995) “The purpose of this Act is to achieve equality in the workplace so that no person shall be denied employment opportunities or benefits for reasons unrelated to ability and, in the fulfilment of that goal, to correct the conditions of disadvantage in employment experienced by women, aboriginal people, persons with disabilities and members of visible minorities by giving effect to the principle that employment equity means more than treating persons in the same way but also requires special measures and the accommodation of differences.” The act can be found at http://laws.justice.gc.ca/eng/E-5.401/FullText.html

Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (2005) The purpose of this Act is to benefit all Ontarians by: developing, implementing and enforcing accessibility standards in order to achieve accessibility for Ontarians with disabilities on or before January 1, 2025 providing for the involvement of persons with disabilities, of the Government of Ontario and of representatives of industries and of various sectors of the economy in the development of the accessibility standards. The act can be found at http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/statutes/english/elaws_statutes_05a11_e.htm

Human Resources and Skills Development Canada Disability Employment Supports  Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities This fund helps people with disabilities prepare for, obtain, and maintain employment or self-employment. The three funding categories are: financial assistance for individuals funding for organizations and employers for local and regional projects funding for organizations for national projects.

Human Resources and Skills Development Canada Disability Employment Supports Labour Market Agreements for Persons with Disabilities (LMAPD’s) These are bilateral, cost-shared agreements between the Government of Canada and provinces based on the Multilateral Framework for Labour Market Agreements for Persons with Disabilities. The LMAPD’s provide provinces with funding for programs and services that improve the employment situation for Canadians with disabilities. This arrangement gives provinces the flexibility to determine their own priorities and approaches to best address the needs of persons with disabilities in their jurisdictions.

Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) Employment Supports Everyone's path to employment is different. That's why there are many kinds of Ontario Disability Support Program Employment Supports. Here are some examples: help preparing for work help finding and keeping a job job coaching on-the-job training transportation assistance tools and equipment special clothing for your job specialized computer training interpreter or intervener services help to move to the next level in your career software and mobility devices; assistive devices and training in their use

Those in need will work with a community service provider to figure out what kinds of supports are needed to help you get and keep a job. http://www.accesson.ca/en/mcss/programs/social/odsp/employment_support/what.aspx Services under ODSP’s Employment Support program are provided by ER Employment Consulting, an employment consulting firm that assists individuals to find and retain employment within their community. http://www.erconsulting.ca

Non-Government Organizations Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work (CCRW) This is a Canada-wide network of organizations and individuals. Its mission is to promote and support the meaningful and equitable employment of persons with disabilities. CCRW provides leadership in programs and services for job seekers with disabilities and businesses committed to equity and inclusion. Information on these programs is available from: http://www.workink.com/ or http://ccrw.org/

Non-Government Organizations Ability Edge Internships Program This is a paid internship program specifically designed for university, and college graduates with self-declared disabilities. Through their 6, 9 or 12-month internships, graduates with disabilities obtain meaningful work experience at a variety of Canadian organizations. Ability Edge program paid internships are in a wide range of fields, such as finance, marketing, human resources and computer science. Information on this program is available from http://www.abilityedge.ca/index.asp?language=1