GOVERNMENT
BC Ministry of Social Development - Employment Strategy for Persons with Disabilities
The Employment strategy for Persons with Disabilities focuses on developing a broad range of new skills training services and employment-related programs to assist persons with disabilities into the labour market and to improve their employment outcomes.
Government of Canada - Persons with Disabilities On-line
This site provides access to services and information for persons with disabilities, family members, caregivers and all Canadians.
EMPLOYMENT
The BC Coalition of People with Disabilities
The BCCPD’s Advocacy Access Program has prepared this Help Sheet to help you understand what the Ministry of Housing and Social Development (MHSD) legislation says about employment and people with disabilities.
BC Personal Supports Network Personal Strategy Tool
Are you a person with a disability? Do you want to become employed? Would you like to volunteer as a step along the path to employment? If you need Assistive Technology (for example, mobility devices, speech or learning aids, hearing or vision aids) in order to achieve your employment related goal, you could be eligible to have those needs funded. Download this PDF for more information.
Canada Pension Plan Vocational Rehabilitation Program
The Canada Pension Plan Disability Vocational Rehabilitation Program is designed to help people who receive a Canada Pension Plan disability benefit return to work
Canadian Mental Health Association – BC Division
Welcome to our Employment Services Database. Here we have listed more than 4500 services from 540 agencies that can help people with mental illness search for employment supports in your community.
CNIB Canadian National Institute for the Blind
In British Columbia, CNIB offers one-on-one employment counselling, assistance with writing resumes and cover letters, job search assistance and strategies, help with accessing funding for training and/or assistive technology and training with assistive technology for the workplace. In addition, CNIB can provide workplace assessments and accommodation and assistance obtaining work experience opportunities.
Community Living BC (CLBC)
CLBC funds employment agencies in communities across the province to support adults with developmental disabilities to find and keep employment. These agencies can work with you to connect you with potential employees in a way that makes sense for your business.
CLBC’s EmployABILITY Brochure highlights the benefits for businesses of employing people with developmental disabilities
Island Deaf & Hard of Hearing Centre
Employment Program for Persons with Disabilities
The EPPD provides persons with hearing loss access to a full range of services, tools and supports that address the distinct needs of their disability.
Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities
By providing contribution funding to individuals, employers and organizations, the Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities helps people with disabilities prepare for, obtain and maintain employment or self-employment.
Vancouver Island Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Vancouver Island Vocational and Rehabilitation Services (VIVRS) is a dynamic, growing company that has been providing individualized services to clients on Vancouver Island since 1992.
WorkAble BC
Connecting job seekers with disabilities and employers in BC
workApedia.ca
Government services and information; other support agencies in BC and Nationwide
Business Abilities
Delivered entirely online, ‘Business Abilities’ gives people living with disabilities the opportunity to explore the world of self-employment from the convenience of home. Apply online to gain access to online business planning resources and your own personal business coach.
EDUCATION
North Island College – Access for Students with Disabilities Services
Students with a documented permanent disability can access a wide range of support services, from education planning to adaptive technology. Some services, such as interpreting, captioning, alternate format textbooks, and access to adaptive technology, can take longer to organize than others. To ensure you receive the services you require, plan to contact us at least eight months ahead of time.
StudentAid BC – Programs for students with permanent disabilities
If you have a documented permanent disability and will be studying at a designated post-secondary institution, the following programs may help you. Includes provincial / federal grants and bursaries
Resource Directory
Designed to help potential students, their counsellors, families and referral agencies, the directory provides general information on programs and services, including those at individual public post-secondary institutions in B.C. Contact information for those who want more details from the institutions is also listed.
Assistance Program for Students with Permanent Disabilities (APSD)
This provincially funded program is for students with permanent disabilities attending public and private post-secondary schools in B.C. Depending on your need, grants of up to $10,000 (up to $12,000 if an attendant is required at school) are available for exceptional education-related services and adaptive equipment.
EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING RELATED GRANT RESOURCES
The Canada Study Grant for the Accommodation of Students with Permanent Disabilities
The Canada Study Grant for the Accommodation of Students with Permanent Disabilities can provide up to $8,000 per loan year to help pay for exceptional education-related costs associated with your disability. These costs may include tutors, oral or sign interpreters, attendant care for studies, specialized transportation (to and from school only), note takers, readers and braillers.
Grant for Services and Equipment for Students with Permanent Disabilities
Grants and bursaries are awarded based on:
• financial need;
• academic achievement;
• athletic skill or;
• special abilities that may also be considered
The National Educational Association of Disabled Students (NEADS)
NEADS is a consumer organization, with a mandate to encourage the self-empowerment of post-secondary students with disabilities. NEADS advocates for increased accessibility at all levels so that disabled students may gain equal access to college or university education, which is their right. The Association provides information on services and programs for students with disabilities nationwide, publishes a regular newsletter, and conducts research on issues of importance to its members.
Government Grant & Bursary Links: Programs for Students with Permanent Disabilities
If you have a documented permanent disability and will be studying at a designated post-secondary institution, the featured programs may help you, including:
Provincial Grants and Bursaries
• Assistance program for Students with Permanent Disabilities
• B.C. Access Grant
• Learning Disability Assessment Bursary
• Supplemental Bursary for Students with Disabilities
Federal Grants and Bursaries
• Canada Student Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities
• Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment for Persons with Permanent Disabilities
EQUIPMENT AND ASSISTIVE TECHOLOGY
Assistive Technology BC
ATBC provides assistive technology and related support services to adult residents of British Columbia who have permanent disabilities.
BC Personal Supports Network Personal Strategy Tool
Are you a person with a disability? Do you want to become employed? Would you like to volunteer as a step along the path to employment? If you need Assistive Technology (for example, mobility devices, speech or learning aids, hearing or vision aids) in order to achieve your employment related goal, you could be eligible to have those needs funded. Download this PDF for more information.
Equipment and Assistive Technology Initiative
EATI provides a source of funding for assessment, trialing, purchasing and/or training with equipment and assistive devices that:
• Relate directly to your disability needs and
• Will help you reach your employment-related goals
Job Accommodation Network Canada
The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is the leading source of free, expert, and confidential guidance on workplace accommodations and disability employment issues. Working toward practical solutions that benefit both employer and employee, JAN helps people with disabilities enhance their employability, and shows employers how to capitalize on the value and talent that people with disabilities add to the workplace.
CanAssist
CanAssist designs customized assistive devices for individuals with disabilities (these devices are usually unavailable commercially). The community can make technology requests by contacting the organization or downloading the request form online and there is no charge for the equipment. The program is based at the University of Victoria, and has a research component as well. CanAssist may take on both high tech and simpler projects, and has a strong volunteer and student involvement. While most work is done for clients on Vancouver Island, people throughout BC may also be able to access their services.
Colleges and Institute Library Services (CILS)
Colleges and Institute Library Services (CILS) provides educational resources and services to public post-secondary students in a format that is usable by students with a print impairment. Some examples of available formats may include: DAISY digital talking books, large print, Braille and others.
Communication Assistance for Young Adults (CAYA)
Communication Assistance for Young Adults (CAYA) serves adults between the ages of 19-35 who require alternative or augmentative communication (AAC) assistance. The goal of CAYA is to ensure that eligible individuals have access to the communication tools and professional support to enable them to create an adult life to the best of their abilities. There are no financial eligibility requirements.
RESOURCES
The BC Coalition of People with Disabilities
The BCCPD’s Advocacy Access Program has prepared this Help Sheet to help you understand what the Ministry of Housing and Social Development (MHSD) legislation says about employment and people with disabilities.
Campbell River Head Injury Support Society
The Campbell River Head Injury Support Society (CRHISS) is a group that works together with brain injury survivors and family members. We are a non-profit group dedicated to providing The support and education to the survivors of a brain injury, and their families.
AbleData - Canadian Resources for Assistive Technology
A great collection of links to Organizations, Manufacturers and Distributors in Canada.
TRANSPORTATION
BC Bus Pass
A universal bus pass is available for low-income seniors and persons with disabilities, providing unlimited access on any scheduled BC Transit bus. To qualify for the BC Bus Pass Program, you must be receiving Income Assistance for persons with a disability. For more information call: 1.866.866.0800