Presentation to the Office of Disability Issues November 17th, 2014 Maureen Haan, President & CEO of CCRW

Canada-wide employment services for people with disabilities. CCRW Canada-wide employment services for people with disabilities. The Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work (CCRW) is a charitable organization that has been running employment programs for persons with disabilities across Canada since 1976. CCRW programs have served thousands of clients over the years—both job seekers and employers. Together, we’re eliciting change, tearing down barriers and changing the face of the Canadian workforce.

Program Locations Job Accommodation Service (JAS®) JAS® is a Canada-wide bilingual service that offers public and private sector companies of all sizes advice, consultations and assessment services in order to support compliance with the legal duty to accommodate and adherence to accessibility standards. Pre-Employment Programs: Workplace Essential Skills Partnership Program (WESP) WESP is a pre-employment program for university and college graduates with disabilities. Youth The Future (YTF) YTF is a 20-week pre-employment program that provides youth with disabilities the skills necessary to enter the workforce. Workplace Inclusion Programs New Brunswick Employment Services (ES) Ontario Workplace Inclusion Program (OWIP) Partners for Workplace Inclusion Program (PWIP) Ready to Work Inclusion Program (RWIP) The common goal of CCRW’s various Inclusion Programs is to assist person with disabilities as they enter or re-enter the workforce. This can mean assistance with skills enhancement, career exploration and decision making, job search strategic support, employment maintenance support, wage subsidy and work experience. An essential part of every CCRW program is the ongoing education and support available to employers as well as job seekers. At present, 8 effective CCRW program models have been implemented by 20 program delivery sites located in 15 communities across the country.

CCRW programs serve 3 main purposes: .To support job seekers with disabilities who wish to find meaningful employment. .To support employers who wish to hire employees who are persons with disabilities. .To share our resources, experience and skills in order to make employment opportunities accessible for every qualified candidate. Last year CCRW served 1409 clients with disabilities. 75% of clients served either retained their employment, found new employment or returned to school. At an average cost of $4,700.94 each. For more information about CCRW programs and services: www.ccrw.org info@ccrw.org @CCRW facebook.com/CCRW 416-260-3060

Employer engagement

Where the Lowest Price is the Law Lowest prices and saving customers money Staff turnover: 70% in first year of employment People with disabilities have a turnover rate 5 times less than people without disabilities Where the Lowest Price is the Law Save Money, Live Better Example: 200 employees x 70% = 140 employees turnover Estimate of $1,500 in cost per turn over = $210,000 per year Hiring 20 people with disabilities (10% of staff) (180 x 70%) + (20 x 14%) = 129 employees turnover Estimate of $1,500 in cost per turn over = $193,500 SAVINGS = $16,500

Canada’s Store Aims to connect with all of Canada Percentage of working age Canadians with disabilities: 13.7% People with a personal connection to disabilities have a combined disposable income of $41 billion Canada’s Store Accessible work = Accessible store = shoppers with disabilities

Owner’s Care Focus on Caring Care about the Health and Safety of Employees Owner’s Care Safe work environment = Healthier Staff = Care (also means less money for insurance premiums)

Workplace accommodation Carol in Coldbrook NS: Yellow Tape Yellow Paint Cart & Wagon Magnifier Extra Paper Trust & Education = $300

Wage subsidies Wage subsidy is a tool Must be used correctly to build opportunities Contracts established: New employee on company payroll Decrease amount of subsidy over time Retain employee at the end of the subsidy

disclosure Tom in Price Albert (PA) SK Disclosure is complex Timing Pros and cons of disclosure Amount of information disclosed Accommodations Understanding the duty to accommodate

Return on investment (ROI) David in Vancouver, BC Income support for people with disabilities: $908.42 per month (minimum) Does not include medical costs, additional disability tax credits $10,901.04 per year Work: Off income support for people with disabilities Lessens chances of developing mental health issues Lowers use of public services such as ER and clinic visits CCRW Cost: $4,700.94 Invest: $1.00 – ROI: $2.32

Where we go from here Retention Job Accommodation Fund Evaluative Measure Episodic Disabilities

questions Maureen Haan President & CEO The Canadian Council Rehabilitation and Work CCRW (416) 260-3060 ext 222 mhaan@ccrw.org www.ccrw.org