Searching for a Job
Searching for a job can be a difficult process for anyone and searching for a job with a disability comes with its own challenges. You may be worried that your disability will negatively affect your job search efforts. This page will help you learn some strategies to make the process easier, and provides some resources you can check out for help.
Job Search Tips
Here are some tips to keep in mind as you continue to search for your next opportunity.
Maintain a positive attitude: You might be worried about entering or re-entering the workforce with a disability, and this worry can come across in your behaviour and attitude. Do your best to maintain a positive outlook.
Seek out companies that support diverse hiring practices: You can find out information about different organizations and their practices around persons with disabilities. Try networking, conducting informational interviews, working with disability employment support agencies, and researching companies directly.
Pay attention to employment equity statements: When researching organizations, look for these policies on company websites and on job postings. These statements let you know that this is an organization that takes employment equity seriously and that practices are in place to accommodate applicants at each stage of the hiring process, as requested.
Be open-minded and create opportunities: There are many companies out there that haven’t hired a person with a disability before. If this applies to a company that you really want to work for, don’t be afraid to reach out. Suggest the possibility of a job trial so that you can showcase your skills and abilities on the job and they can evaluate your work performance before deciding to hire you. This also gives you the opportunity to decide if this opportunity will be the best fit for you.
Be open-minded and create opportunities: There are many companies out there that haven’t hired a person with a disability before. If this applies to a company that you really want to work for, don’t be afraid to reach out. Suggest the possibility of a job trial so that you can showcase your skills and abilities on the job and they can evaluate your work performance before deciding to hire you. This also gives you the opportunity to decide if this opportunity will be the best fit for you.
Stay motivated: Job searching can take a long time. It’s easy to lose your initial hopefulness during a long search. Stay motivated by celebrating your successes, even if you haven’t obtained employment; any opportunities you have had to discuss your skills with others is an achievement. Keep track of your efforts by documenting and reviewing all that you’ve accomplished; this will keep you on track and you will be able to evaluate whether or not there is anything more you can do.
Coordinate logistics: Ensure that you have made the appropriate arrangements for transportation, recurring medical appointments, and childcare. These may or may not be formal workplace accommodations, but they may be aspects of your life that are impacted by your disability and should be addressed prior to starting a job.
Identify a solid support network: The search for employment is not always easy. To help you maintain your enthusiasm, identify people in your life whom you can rely on for encouragement, support, and sound advice. Network with other job seekers and other persons with disabilities who have been successful in finding work. Find ways to support your networks and they will find ways to support you
Source: Alberta Human Resources and Employment: Employment Series for Persons with Disabilities: Tips for Job Seekers
Check this out!
Rotary Employment Partnership - Inclusion Alberta
"The Partnership is a collaboration between Districts 5370 and 5360, Rotary Clubs, Inclusion Alberta and the Government of Alberta. The purpose of the Partnership is to create meaningful employment opportunities for people with developmental disabilities in association with business owners, employers and municipalities."
Job Search
In addition to regular job search websites access the following resources for more information on diversity hiring.
Canada’s Best Diversity Employers
A website that recognizes and lists employers across Canada that have exceptional workplace diversity and inclusiveness programs.
An organization that offers internships in a variety of industries for current students and recent graduates with disabilities.
Disabilities Mentoring Day (DMD)
An annual one-day mentoring event where job-ready people with disabilities pair with companies to put their skills to use.
A job-matching online portal and resource that connects people with disabilities directly to Ontario employers.
A job posting site dedicated to encouraging workforce diversity.
Employment Accessibility Resource Network
An employment resource for people with disabilities, employers and service providers in Ottawa and the National Capital Region.
Job Opportunity Information Network
A community-sponsored job board for persons with disabilities in Ontario.
An organization that matches university and college students and alumni with disabilities with full-time, co-op, internship and scholarship opportunities with some of Canada’s top corporations.
A free, online mentorship program. Lasting eight weeks, the program connects students with disabilities to personal mentors in the tech industry. Next Billion Social Inc., a Canadian for-profit social enterprise, sponsors the program.
An organization that connects individuals on the autism spectrum with jobs in a variety of industries in Canada.
An organization that provides career guidance and job postings for Canadians with disabilities
Community Services
Consider enlisting the help of a community service provider. Many disability-specific service providers offer programs that can support you throughout your job search.
An organization that offers a wide range of tailor-made programs and services designed to assist individuals with disabilities in their efforts to return to work and activities of daily living.
An organization that specializes in the unique needs of adults aged 16 and over who are Deaf or hard of hearing to assist them in finding a job and succeeding at work.
Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB)
The CNIB's “Come to Work” program connects job seekers who are blind or partially sighted with employers who want to discover the full potential of Canada's talent.
An approved Ontario Disability Supports Program (ODSP) service provider that supports people with mental illness and other challenges to help them find rewarding work and live more independently.
A service provider that works with Ontario Disability Supports Program (ODSP)/Opportunity Fund recipients to identify skills and abilities and develop the tools required to enter the workforce confidently.
An approved Ontario Disability Supports Program (ODSP) service provider that specializes in psychiatric health issues. They help people with disabilities find and keep satisfying jobs.
An approved Ontario Disability Supports Program (ODSP) service provider. It supports the inclusion of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, autistic persons and individuals with dual diagnosis with many facets of their lives, including employment.
An approved Ontario Disability Supports Program (ODSP) service provider that helps people with disabilities achieve greater independence by providing job training and finding them employment.
An organization that offers opportunities for people with disabilities to develop computer skills, build their employment skills and re-enter or enter the workforce.
Performance Plus Rehabilitative Care Inc.
An approved Ontario Disability Supports Program (ODSP) service provider. It specializes in providing personal employment counselling services to people with physical, psychological or developmental disabilities looking to enter the workforce.
Attribution
Unless otherwise stated, the material in this guide is from the Learning Portal created by College Libraries Ontario. Content has been adapted for the NWP Learning Commons in June 2021. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons BY NC SA 4.0 International License.
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