Searching for Disabilities Employment Programs

COVID-19 (26 May 2020) CMHA branches are open but many are offering alternative service delivery at this time. Service delivery may be in person, by phone or the following virtual ways:

PCVC - Personal computer video conferencing

OTN - Ontario Telemedicine Network

ZOOM - Video/web conferencing platform

For more information about these virtual platforms contact your local CMHA branch using the drop down list

Services for clients

• offers a range of workshops and activities on job readiness, career exploration and personal management skills to help job seekers secure and retain employment
• access to job opportunities which include wraparound supports (human, social and health supports)

Services for Employers

• offers an employer / job seeker matching service
• training on workplace accommodations and creating inclusive workplace environments

COVID-19 (19 Feb 2021): This location is now open to the public.

Services for clients:

• offers a range of workshops and activities on job readiness, career exploration and personal management skills to help job seekers secure and retain employment
• access to job opportunities which include wraparound supports (human, social and health supports)

Services for employers:

• offers an employer / job seeker matching service
• training on workplace accommodations and creating inclusive workplace environments

COVID-19 (15 Mar 2021) Operating Mon-Fri 8:30 am-5 pm with reduced staff and service by phone and email. This information is regularly updated on their Facebook page.

Income Supports: Provides financial assistance and other benefits to eligible people with disabilities and their families

Supports and benefits available:

• accommodation
• basic living expenses
• prescription drugs
• basic dental care

Other supports and benefits may be available such as:

• eyeglasses
• hearing aids
• special diet allowance
• diabetic supplies
• ostomy supplies
• Extended Health Benefits
• surgical supplies
• emergency home repairs
• transportation needed to attend medical appointments
• guide dog allowance
• Upfront Child Care Benefit
• wheelchair/mobility device repairs and batteries

Employment Supports: (including job development and job retention supports)

• available to persons with disabilities who may or may not be receiving Income support, and require goods and services that will allow them to pursue their competitive employment or self employment goals
• employment can be part-time, full-time, or temporary
• students with disabilities who are seeking part-time employment while in school may also be eligible

Provides supports and services to adults 18 years of age and over who have an intellectual disability

Services include:

• Volunteer Services
• School Breakfast Services
• Supported Employment Services
• Supported Independent Living Services
• Residential Services (operates five group Homes)
• Home-Share Services
• Community Participation Services
• Passport-fee for service

Homes located at:

• 232 Bishop N, Alexandria, ON, K0C 1A0
• 20390 Roy Cres, Green Valley, ON, K0C 1L0
• 261 West Boundary, Alexandria, ON, K0C 1A0
• 190 Dominion N, Alexandria, ON, K0C 1A0
• 82 Anik St, Alexandria, ON, K0C 1A0

Support for adults with developmental disabilities

• residential services, including home sharer residences, supervised apartments and group homes
• jobs in partnership with Groupe Convex
• clinical services, including references for psychological assessments
• needs assessments for adults
• individual planning
• recreational and socio-cultural activities
• volunteer opportunities
• protection services

Legal clinic

Services

• tenant's rights
• Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
• employment insurance denials
• Ontario Works
• employment standards
• Canada Pension Plan (CPP)

Organization that generates meaningful jobs through social enterprises for residents who face employment challenges

Social enterprises:

• Antiques Hawkesbury
• Café Le Plateau
• Café Bistro
• Prescott-Russell Packaging
• Express Net
• The Harvesters
• Menuiserie Woodshop Casselman
• Recycle-Action

Offers a range of employment supports to adults with intellectual disabilities

Services include:

• developing an employment plan
• preparing for employment and on-the-job training
• unpaid job trials
• work experience and work adjustment training
• job placement
• job coaching
• job maintenance
• support coordination

Association serving individuals with an intellectual disability

• provides support services to adults and children with intellectual disabilities and their families
• offers residential services, respite, family relief, advocacy, community participation including employment, volunteer placements, leisure and recreation, and Youth in Transition (from school to work)

Works with adults with a developmental disability to find and retain meaningful employment in their community

Provides:

• support and connection between business leaders and motivated job seekers
• job coaching to help with training and accommodation support
• help to maximize successful placement and retention

Employment support * externally in the work force or internally with in-house, commission-based businesses such as the creation and sale of jewelry, woodworking, printing, art, and pottery

Community services, including:

Intake for the Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP):

• qualifications for reduction on electricity costs

Immigration services:

• establishment services
• counseling and assistance in immigration procedures
• application for various visas, for permanent residency, work permit, citizenship, sponsorship, etc.

Commissioners for Oaths available to validate

• oaths
• affirmations
• affidavits

Legal services:

• information and advice on immigrant and refugee rights
• guidance on judicial procedures
• defense of rights on various issues

Medical services:

• in-home doctor visits
• nursing and medical services at home

Social services:

• daycare services
• job search assistance
• job placement and internship
• support for creating and starting a business
• support for training and studies
• counselling services
• rehabilitation and monitoring of probation for minors
• radicalization prevention
• housing support services
• social activities
• interpretation and document translation
• language instruction
• placement assistance for volunteering in Africa and Canada
• financial and administrative assistance for funerary services
• maintenance of a directory for professionals and business men in Canada

Services to seniors:

• home visits
• transportation and accompaniment
• physical activity
• meditation and relaxation sessions
• foot care
• social outings

Services for individuals with a disability:

• social housing management
• budget management
• employment support
• family support

Funerals

• financial and administrative support

Provides ergonomics assessments in office and industrial environments, job demands analysis and return to work programming. * Also provides train the trainer ergo coach courses.

Medical Assessments and Therapeutic Treatments provided in

• private home settings
• public and private residential and nursing homes

Treatments provided by

• occupational therapists
• kinesiologists
• psychotherapists
• yoga therapists
• registered dieticians
• case managers
• clinical psychologists
• nurse practitioners
• registered nurses and social workers

Individualized and tailored pediatric treatments including addressing:

• fine motor skills
• visual-motor skills
• cognitive skills
• delays in play and social interaction skills
• self-care activities (feeding, dressing, bathing, toileting)
• leisure (play skills and participating in sports/hobbies)
• self-regulation
• learning disabilities
• sleeping challenges
• sensory challenges

Works with professionals in Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy, Medical Care, Family Physicians, etc

• occupational therapy in home assessments
• home-based safety assessment
• chronic pain assessment
• functional capacity evaluation
• future care cost assessments
• ergonomic workspace assessment
• standard musculoskeletal assessment
• Assistive Devices Program (ADP) assessment for manual/power wheelchairs, walkers, scooters and communication aids
• attendant care needs assessments
• housekeeping needs assessments
• cognitive and physical demand evaluation
• group therapy sessions

Helps the community welcome and include people with intellectual disabilities, autistic persons, and individuals with a dual diagnosis to live, work, and play as valued citizens.

Categories of support:

Employment Supports

• employment partnership development
• workplace inclusion specialists
• employment discovery specialists

Community Connecting and Supported Independent Living

Volunteer opportunity

The program provides individuals with developmental disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, or significant learning challenges with the opportunity to increase their essential employability and community living skills and work experiences.

• It will provide the student with access to college level courses tailored to their needs and limitations, as well as supervised internships, leading to a certificate.
• It is expected that the candidate will demonstrate a willingness to participate fully in the program and also demonstrate a level of independence that does not require constant supervision (see admission requirements for more details)

Through courses and co-op placements, students will improve core competencies for employment and living in community

COVID19 (2 May 2022): Adult Skills Training program is currently on hold. Some guidance is available for current tenants who may be experiencing issues with their housing situation. Sign-up form to be notified when in-person programming begins again can be found here.

Multiple styles of learning, instruction, therapies, based on individual needs

Goal is to stimulate learning and encouraging developing skills sets such as:

• employment search and enrichment
• communication and social development
• computers and technology

Participants also have access to the Professional Mentors Team who can help with self-confidence, networking and self-promotion

Offers occupational therapy and kinesiology intervention to support individuals experiencing a variety of clinical and physical difficulties

Services include:

• home-based cognitive work hardening program
• occupational therapy coaching
• pool program
• dragon naturally speaking training
• personal training
• progressive goal attainment (PGAP)
• individualized occupational therapy
• work hardening programs

Promotes occupational education, training and development of adults with disabilities

ODSP Services

• guides and empowers individuals to making the right life changing decisions with respect to regular employment challenges
• helps and supports regular employment of people with disabilities by identifying skills and abilities to develop tools meeting their specific needs to intergrate the workforce

Employers Services

• assists with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) Compliance Review for implementation of the guidelines
• free Workplace Diversitfication Training about working with individuals with disablities
• job coaching support and on the job training to help make the transition of returning to work possible for both the client and the employer
• alleviate initial training costs to the employer through wage subsidy programs

Evaluations to identify any return to work barriers and develop a plan to increase the opportunity for reintegration

Services:

• home-based cognitive work hardening program
• educational and professional guidance program
• adapting to change
• job search program
• intensive career exploration
• vocational rehabilitation phase
• occupational therapy - early intervention
• post offer of employment test (POET)
• vocational enhancement assessment
• workplace accommodation assessment

Assist individuals who are recovering from illness or injury transition successfully back to employment

• cost effective
• designed to reduce absenteeism and increase productivity
• one-on-one format to build confidence
• outines an agreeable plan for success full return to normal work

COVID-19 (16 Jan 2022): Organization still offering services virtually and in-person by appointment. Employment services continues. Assist people with various disabilities in obtaining employment in their chosen profession

Services:

• career exploration (skills and career self-assessments, educational exploration, labour market research)
• assistive technology assessment and recommendations
• self-management skills and disability management skills
• identify workplace values, abilities, interests, and skills
• learn how to develop a resume and cover letter
• job interview preparation
• effective job search techniques
• develop an action plan for employment with job search support from the staff

Exclusively community based program

• supports people living at home
• based on individual's needs and interests
• clients are supported in the community by an ARC employee
• main focus is building relationships and enjoying leisure activities in the community

Employment support services * counsellors work with francophone individuals with a developmental disability to:

• establish goals and interests
• prepare for employment
• integrate into the workplace
• monitor and maintain employment

Helps developmentally disabled adults to work in the community * facility-based training

Work includes:

• maintenance
• food services
• production
• woodworking
• recycling
• mailing
• office routines

Supports people in various volunteer activities within the community and provides life skill training, including:

• physical fitness
• computer skills
• street safety
• leisure activity
• literacy skills
• community awareness