By Asma Muqtadir

For Clients With Disabilities

Discover the skills you have to offer in the workplace

Learn what job help is available to you

Connect with people who can get you started on the path to employment.

The Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) recognizes that people with disabilities can – and want to – work.

Community service providers have already helped thousands of people who have a wide range of disabilities find jobs.

“Employers need your skills. We're here to help.”

What are you waiting for? Put your skills to work!

Join the ODSP Employment Supports Program

It has a wide range of free services, like

job placement

job retention support

to help you find and keep a job.

Employment Supports matches a client to a community service provider who can:

Provide job placement assistance and job retention supports

Work with you and your employer to make sure your job is a good fit

Help resolve any problems you may have with your employer or co-workers

Help you to become self-employed

Help with disability accommodations.

To be eligible for Employment Supports, you must:

be 16 years of age or older

be a resident of Ontario

have a disability that is expected to last a year or more

have a disability that makes it hard for you to find or keep a job, and

legally entitled to work in Canada.

Additional benefits are available to people who are receiving ODSP Income Support.

A paid job will increase your total income with the following benefits:

$500 in any 12-month period to help pay for uniforms, equipment and professional fees

Help cover the costs of child care

$300 per month for disability related work expenses

“Be the person, not the disability.”

During a job interview

Help employers focus on you as a person, and not on your disability.

Employers want to know you can do the job. So

Be prepared to tell them what you have to offer.

Before the interview start thinking about the talents and job skills you can bring to the workforce.

“You have more to offer than you think.”

Join the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) Employment Supports Program.

You can take advantage of a wide range of free services,

Job placement

Job retention support, to help you find and keep a job.

“To find out more, contact your local ODSP Employment Supports Office.”

“EMPLOYERS”

Don’t let good talent go to waste!

The Ministry of Community and Social services has more than 100 Ontario Disability Support Program Employment Supports Service Providers.

These service providers, which are independent of the

ministry, offer helpful employment services to employers looking for talented employees.

Employers and Managers across Ontario need to

Understand what hiring people with disabilities can bring to their business

Learn tips to make their workplace and hiring practices more inclusive

Connect with an organization that can help them find a qualified candidate.

Myths

People with disabilities can’t keep up with other workers and take sick days more often.

A person with a disability cannot

work in a position requiring physical labour.

Accommodations and supports in

the workplace would be difficult and costly.

It would be difficult to terminate

an employee with a disability.

Facts Employees with disabilities are

just as productive and dependable as their co-workers without disabilities.

It is important not to make

assumptions about a person with a disability and what they are able to do.

The vast majority of people with

disabilities do not require special workplace accommodations which could be less than $500.

The laws regarding termination of

employees for cause are no different for a person with a disability than for a person without a disability.

Open your search for talented employees and make your workplace accessible by hiring employees of all abilities to compete in the marketplace.

Create an inclusive workplace.

Provide job-related support, ensure that any accommodations provided are effective, and follow up later to see if something needs to be changed.

Allow enough time for training new employees.

Make sure your employees have everything they need to do their job, including any accommodations that they may require.

“Make your workplace accessible”

Many people with disabilities are educated, experienced and qualified to meet your workforce needs.

People with disabilities have skills and experience that can add value to your workplace.

Talent is standing by. “Don't waste it.”

Contact an Ontario Disability Support Program Employment Supports Provider in your area to help you

find your next talented hire with Job Matching Job Development Job Coaching Job Trials On-the-job-training Job Accommodation Assistance Disability Awareness Training Workplace Assessibility Assessment Assessible Technology Training

Make the call and join the hundreds of Ontario employers who have hired through an ODSP Employment Supports

Service Provider.

“Thank you”