Searching for Disabilities Employment Programs

Community-based services for people with an intellectual disability including accommodation, day program, respite care, planning and family supports

Residential Programs - Supported living arrangements to adults at various apartment buildings and home settings

Respite Programs

• Associate Family Relief - Out of home (usually) respite for children under the age of 21 years who have an intellectual disability
• respite funds and services may be available to families who are caring for a child at home with the following criteria: family and child reside in Elgin County and the child is under the age of 18, child has a diagnosis or professional assessment to indicate Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), a social, emotional, behavioural or psychiatric need or a physical or developmental disability
• respite program is for children who have been assessed as medically fragile through the Home and Community Care Support Services

Community Access Program - Adult day program * promotes growth through activities such as cooking, art, horticulture, crafts, education and computer skills

Offers employment services which may include dissemination of labour market information, employment needs assessment, career planning, employment counselling, diagnostic services, job search skills, job finding clubs, job placement services, developing an employment action plan, referral to appropriate interventions, assessments for disability-related accommodations and participant case management and follow-up

Assists people in gaining necessary skills to gain and retain employment * employment readiness training topics include:

• time management
• dressing appropriately for the workplace
• using public transportation
• self-esteem and self-worth
• interview skills
• listening skills
• team work skills

Practical hands on training for people living with a disability to gain independence * provides services directly in the home or community * develops comprehensive skills for employment seekers, living independently or with support, or post-secondary education* assists clients with budgetary and money management

Home management assistance:

• personal awareness and personal hygiene
• transportation skills
• stress management
• assertive training

Employment Skills - Assists people in gaining necessary skills to gain and retain employment * employment readiness training topics include:

Combines 5 weeks of in-class training with 10-week paid employment work placements to assist the lives of youth who have a disability or employment barrier * participants earn minimum wage for 30 hours/week for a total of 15 weeks * offered to 10 clients per class 4 times per year

Youth learn new skills to help find employment:

• numeracy skills
• personal development
• time management
• basic computer literacy
• employment maintenance
• first aid/CPR
• WHMIS
• Smart Serve and safe food handling

By-appointment resource centre for Jobseekers whom experience disabilities and other barriers to employment.

The Welcome Centre provides jobseekers access to the following resources to assist with their job search: computer, internet, phone, fax, printer, scanner, and photocopier.

Jobseekers may either work independently or one-on-one with an Employment & Learning Specialist.

Employment services offered in the Welcome Centre may include:

• labour market information
• career planning
• employment counselling
• job search assistance
• resume and/or cover letter assistance
• interview preparation

Technology and computer assisted learning courses and programs to help people with disabilities or learning barriers gain skills and/or prepare for employment

Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS) - Non profit agency that helps people with disabilities find employment, reach educational goals, and improve quality of life through assessments, skills upgrading, and personal development services

Services and Programs:

• Computer Software Programs - Self Study
• General Educational Development
• Learning Development Services
• Live Grow Connect Program
• Technology and Computer Assisted Learning
• Welcome Centre - Ontario Employment Assistance Services
• Workshops for Employers

Support services (residential and work experience programs) for adults with a developmental disability * supported living in residential apartment or home settings, providing support with activities of daily living, pursuit of employment, leisure and recreation activities

Assists people with disabilities to ease their daily living, accessibility and employment issues

Social and recreational programs * independent living services based in Sarnia * summer camp offered in Geneva Park, Orillia

Assistive Devices Program - Assists adults with disabilities with funding for the purchase, repair, and maintenance of a wide variety of mobility or assistive devices such as wheelchairs and scooters

Home and Vehicle Modification Program - Financial assistance toward the cost of required home or vehicle modifications for eligible Ontario residents of any age who have a long-term physical disability

AccessAbility Advantage (A+) - accessible design expertise in the development or redesign of residential buildings, small businesses and organizations * offers document conversion, internal and external communications, policy development to meet accessibility standards

Employment Services - Employment services including assessments, training, job placement and on-the-job support to help people return to work

Assists people with a disability to achieve their employment goals

Helps with every aspect of finding meaningful employment, including job readiness, resume writing, job searches, development with potential employers and work site job coaching * people are supported in a variety of jobs, ranging from office administration to manufacturing and customer service

Offers employment services which may include dissemination of labour market information, employment needs assessment, career planning, employment counselling, diagnostic services, job search skills, job finding clubs, job placement services, developing an employment action plan, referral to appropriate interventions, assessments for disability-related accommodations and participant case management and follow-up

Services and Programs:

• Owen Sound Office
• St Thomas Office
• Stratford Office
• Strathroy Office
• Woodstock and Oxford County Office

Employability assessment

In-home and community-based rehabilitation services * services include occupational therapy, physiotherapy, social work, kinesiology, rehabilitation therapy, vocational services and medical care/case management

• assessments and treatment to assist in returning to activities of daily living and to vocational activities
• specialized assessment and treatment (including cognitive retraining and prescription of assistive devices) provided to children and adults with acquired brain injury, orthopedic injuries, or neurological injuries

Fully equipped pottery studio * classes available for people with disabilities through Artworks program * classes open to public through Fanshawe College Continuing Education and London Clay Arts Centre * open studio times available for potters

Original art created by people with disabilities are sold at the Western Fair Farmers Market, 900 King St, London on Saturdays from 8am-3pm

Offers employment services which may include dissemination of labour market information, employment needs assessment, training, career planning, employment counselling, diagnostic services, job search skills, job finding clubs, job placement services, developing an employment action plan, referral to appropriate interventions, assessments for disability-related accommodations and participant case management and follow-up

Employment and training programs

Access Voluntarism - For adults with disabilities who wish to volunteer in the nonprofit sector

Adult Education - One-to-one tutorial program or small group classes and small group computer classes

Ontario Employment Assistance Services - Offers employment services which may include dissemination of labour market information, employment needs assessment, training, career planning, employment counselling, diagnostic services, job search skills, job finding clubs, job placement services, developing an employment action plan, referral to appropriate interventions, assessments for disability-related accommodations and participant case management and follow-up

Offers employment services, which may include

• information of labour markets
  
• employment needs assessment
• career planning
• employment counselling
• diagnostic services
• job search skills
• job finding clubs
• job placement services
• developing an employment action plan
• referral to appropriate interventions
• assessments for disability-related accommodations
• participant case management and follow-up

Mental health peer support organization * works to educate and empower consumers/survivors of the mental health system * community outreach, such as orientation to the community, participatory art activities, sharing circles, social and educational activities, relaxation groups * workshops and guest speakers * monthly events, calendar available at location

Presto Posters - Alternative business putting up posters in public locations to advertise events of clients

Willow Creek House - On-site 7-bed residence for consumer and survivors of the mental health system following a peer support model of management and support

Medical rehabilitation assessments and treatments provided in-home, at-work, in-clinic or in an educational setting * services provided for people who have been injured in motor-vehicle collisions, suffered injury on the job or who have disabling health conditions

• occupational therapy
• physiotherapy
• rehabilitation therapy
  
• case management
  
• social work
• psychotherapy
  
• speech language pathology
• life care planning/future care cost reporting
  
• assessment and treatment for pediatric patients

Multidisciplinary team includes nurses, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, kinesiologists, counsellors, rehabilitation therapists, vocational rehabilitation specialists and certified life care planners

Organization works with individuals with intellectual disabilities to be included as full community members and enjoy active and productive lives, supported living, recreation and leisure and employment.

Family Support Program
Supports families in caring for their children with intellectual disabilities and/or special needs, by empowering them to become their own service coordinators and advocates, whenever possible * we provide assistance in making sense of the local service systems and ensuring that all involved services are working together to meet the identified needs of each child and family

Options for Employment
Options for Employment is a government funded employment service for adults that specializes in assisting individuals facing employment barriers or individuals with a disability. Assistance with Resume Development, Job Search, Job training to learn how to do the job and assistance as required during employment.

Children Services
Programs are design to provide positive learning environments that are carefully planned to serve individual/group needs and to facilitate the children's progress in the social, emotional, physical and cognitive areas of development.

Community-based services for people with developmental disabilities

Residential Supports - Group living accommodations, supported independent living, Family Home Share

Employment Services - Assists with obtaining and maintaining competitive employment

Continuing Education - Builds upon literacy and numeracy skills

Community Access Service - Links adults to community leisure and recreational activities Person Centered Planning - Creates life plans that promote a person's goals and dreams

Passport Funding - Administers individualized funds and schedules qualified and trained staff for person directed supports

Community Respite - Provides out of home caregiver relief to families

Family Home - allows people with developmental disabilities to share a community home while receiving the supports needed to be independent.

Leisure and Recreation - provides opportunities for people to participate in leisure and recreational activities in their community

Offers employment services which may include dissemination of labour market information, employment needs assessment, career planning, employment counselling, diagnostic services, job search skills, job finding clubs, job placement services, developing an employment action plan, referral to appropriate interventions, assessments for disability-related accommodations and participant case management and follow-up

Training and vocational opportunities to adults with a serious mental health illness and/or developmental disabilities

Work-related training and vocational opportunities * services include bake shop and greenhouses * off-site options include lawn care and snow removal * capacity varies with amount of support required.
The program referred to as THE HUB also includes an activity program, open to all Crest supported persons that provides educational, social and fun activities for people, focusing on both their mental and phsyical health.

Supports adults with a serious mental illness and/or a developmental disability by providing services that foster personal growth and participation as full citizens in their communities

Apartment Living - Supports to people with a serious mental health illness or a dual diagnosis living in 8 unit apartment building located in a rural setting

Connections - Training and vocational opportunities to adults with a serious mental health illness and/or developmental disabilities

Developmental Services/Community Living - Residential supports for adults who have a developmental/intellectual disability

Group Living - 3 unit co-ed group home providing housing for 4 people per unit with a dual diagnosis and/or a serious mental illness

Support within Housing/Community Supports - Support and services to people with a serious mental health illness

Services to promote the independence of adults with developmental disabilities in the areas of supportive living, work related, leisure and skill development

Residential Services
203 Main St, Glencoe
519-287-2306

Supported Independent Living - Assistance with living skills such as personal care, meal preparation, medication monitoring, budgets, house management and community involvement

Host Family Program - Alternate living arrangements using a room and board approach for people who need 24-hour care

Community Participation Supports - Leisure, volunteer and employment opportunities * opportunities to build skills focusing on gaining independence in the community

Passport Program - Assists families with passport funding to plan and obtain services

Services and Programs:

• Middlesex County - Youth Job Connection and Youth Job Connection Summer