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INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
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Partners in Employment program creates rewarding career opportunities DA R L E N E P O L AC H I C
DECEMBER 3, 2016
Since January of this year, Partners in Employment, a branch of Saskatchewan Abilities Council, has helped prepare and/or place nearly 400 individuals in jobs that suit their abilities and personalities. Starting wages ranged from $10.20 to $40 per hour. Saskatchewan Abilities has five Partners in Employment offices in the province; Emily Hurd is senior supervisor of the Saskatoon office. She says the agency provides supported employment services to people with barriers to employment. “That means working with individuals who require some level of assistance in finding and maintaining employment. We provide a variety of services from helping prepare resumes, to interview skills, advocating for clients who’ve found employ-
ment and need job coaching or on-going employment maintenance support, to helping individuals navigate conditions that might pose a challenge to them holding a job.” Partners in Employment focuses on people with physical and cognitive disabilities, mental health issues, and addictions, as well as new Canadians. “Typically, we also work with people with criminal records and those unfamiliar with the city or community,” said Hurd. Partners in Employment engages both job-seekers and employers, and has a large bank of employers to which it is adding all the time. “Some have worked with us for 20-plus years; others are much newer. All are very welcoming and want an inclusive work place,” said Hurd. The employers represent a wide spectrum of industry from the retail and grocery store sector to
Approximately 15 per cent of all Saskatchewan residents are considered to have a disability, according to Statistics Canada. As our province’s population continues to age, that percentage will continue to increase. GE T T Y I M AG E S
THE VOICE: TAKING THE ‘DIS’ OUT OF DISABILITY C A RO L T O D D
It started as slang, but the Merriam-Webster dictionary now defines the word ‘dis’ as to “treat someone with disrespect.” Advocates for people with disabilities often urge society to see the ability and not the disability. Treating people with disabilities with respect – taking the ‘dis’ out of disability – is one of the factors that Bev Duncan, former executive director of the Saskatchewan Voice of People with Disabilities Inc. (SVOPD) cites when talking about programs for people with disabilities. Here in Saskatchewan, it’s esti- The Saskatchewan Voice of People with Disabilities Inc. was invited to consult on accessibility features for the new Mosaic Stadium in Regina. The new mated that about 15 per cent of stadium features 157 accessible seats and 114 companion seats, along with nine elevators and 38 accessible bathrooms. LEADER -P OST/DON HEALY the population is considered to be disabled, slightly above the One of the government programs that’s recognized,” she says. and the ability to vote by mail. including a Disability Directory “This is supposed to be a better The organization was consulted and Self Help Guide for Indenational average of 13.7 per cent, the organization was consulted on according to a 2012 report by in the past has been in the news program and more respectful,” when planning began for Regina’s pendent Living on its website – Statistics Canada. As the pop- lately, as the Province of Saskatch- Duncan says, adding there con- Mosaic Stadium. “We were invited http://saskvoice.com/resources/ ulation continues to age, the need ewan changed the deadline for tinues to be real concerns about to participate in the accessibil- our-publications/. Its newsletter to “see the ability not the dis- planned benefit reductions under it. “We are pushing to get the ity features, so we had our input goes out to more than 700 people ability” will continue to increase, the Saskatchewan Assured Income SAID program its own legislation into it. Forty years ago, we would across the province and it works according to Duncan. for Disability (SAID) program. instead of under [Social Assistance never have seen that; 20 years ago, to ensure people with disabilities The SAID program was created Program].” SVOPD, also known as the Voice, maybe,” she says. The new stadium are aware of the program and serassists with concerns affecting in 2009 with a 2010-11 budget of Much has changed since SVOPD features 157 accessible seats and vices that are available to them. the lives of people with dis- $29.5 million, and will receive first began assisting people with 114 companion seats, and there One of those is the Individualized abilities through social policy $210.1 million this year. Duncan, disabilities 42 years ago. “Yes, are 38 accessible bathrooms and Funding Program offered through research and consultation, public who was on the Task Team involved attitudes have definitely changed,” nine elevators. The sunken bowl Saskatchewan Health, which Duneducation programs and referral in the initial consultations, says says Duncan, pointing to a number design, with a wider, brighter can says isn’t very well known. Under the program, people who services. The not-for-profit orga- the program, which provides of successes over the years, such main concourse at ground level, nization also lobbies for improve- financial assistance for people as changes to the building code, will benefit people with visual and qualify for home care can receive ments in accessibility, education, with significant and enduring increased accessibility in areas mobility disabilities as well. funds directly to arrange and employment, housing, transporta- disabilities, is better than basic such as sidewalks, housing and In addition to lobbying on behalf manage their own supportive tion, income security and support social assistance. “Even though buses, as well as increased employ- of people with disabilities, SVOPD services, including hiring it’s flawed, it’s still something ment of people with disabilities also offers a number of resources, people to help with personal care services. services or home management services. “I’d rather stay in my home,” says Duncan. “If you get it, can get somebody in to help Celebrates International Day you you,” she says, adding that only about 200 people are currently of Persons with Disabilities accessing the program. SVOPD also works to help prevent abuse of people with disabilities, especially women. “I know of people who are being abused,” Duncan says. The organization has held a conference on abuse, Silent Voices, and offers Girl Power Camps to help young women with disabilities stay safe and maintain their self-esteem. As the population ages, the need for services such as those offered by SVOPD can only be expected to increase. At the same time, funding has become even more difficult to obtain, says Duncan. “The need is still there, but costs have gone up and there is a struggle for funding,” she says. “It’s very rough.” Duncan says that, while there have been changes in attitudes towards people with disabilities and more resources made available to them, there is a need to remain vigilant. “There are things that are changing, but we Saskatoon Regina still have to monitor what’s going Rural Saskatchewan on or we lose it,” she says. Not to mention the continuing need to see the ability not the disability – in short, take the ‘dis’ out of disability.
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Katie took part in the Partners in Employment Agriculture Pilot Project, funded through the Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council. SA SK. A BI L I T I ES C O U NC I L
“Some clients only want part-time work because of their abilities, or extenuating circumstances like child care or school attendance. Some look for seasonal jobs; others full-time; still others want jobs with benefits like vacation time. We try to be as responsive as we can be to what the individual wants.” Partners in Employment launched two new pilot programs in 2016. An agriculture-based program placed ten clients in permanent jobs in the agriculture sector. The project was funded by Canadian Agriculture Human Resources Council. “To date, we’ve connected with 70 agricultural employers,” Hurd says. “People with disabilities are under-represented in the farm sector, partly because employment agencies are not connected to the farm sector and partly because potential workers don’t know about the jobs available there or what skills are needed.”
Another new pilot program in 2016 focused on individuals aged 15 to 29 who have been diagnosed on the autism spectrum. In this program, Partners in Employment is using established expertise to deliver pre-employment and employment skills to help young people with autism develop skills to find and keep a job. The program provides the opportunity to try out different work situations to determine which job is the best fit for that individual. This initiative is funded through a partnership with Employment Works Canada. To meet clients’ vocationallybased needs, Partners in Employment operates a client resource centre where individuals can utilize e-mail and fax services, do printing or phoning, and get help with resumes. For more details, look under employment programs at www.abilitiescouncil.sk.ca.
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Pictured is a client at his workplace of Allan’s Landscaping and Garden Centre. This individual found the position through Partners in Employment’s Linking Youth Program. SA SK. A BI L I T I ES C O U NC I L SAS00362948_1_1
Be yourself and soar with us Your individuality is an asset Be distinct. Be original. Be yourself. Celebrate International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3. fcc.ca/Careers
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Scott found employment through Partners in Employment at DK Pallet, where he works to build and repair pallets. SA SK. A BI LI T I ES C O U NC I L
warehouse construction, professional designations, health care, financial institutions, the hospitality industry and more. “Our approach at Partners in Employment is very client-centred and client-strength based,” Hurd said. “It’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. We’re not a temp agency or head hunters. We work with people to find employment best suited to their interests, needs and abilities.” For some, she says, it’s as simple as pointing the client in the right direction and giving them advice with the application process. At other times, it involves calling an employer and advocating for a client. Or it may be acting on a request from an employer with a specific employee need. “We’re very fortunate because Saskatchewan Abilities Council has been around more than two decades. Local employers know us and that we serve both employers and job-seekers.” Partners in Employment works with clients from high school age to retirement and beyond, focusing on each individual’s specific needs. It offers group or one-onone workshops on resume development, cover letters, on-line applications and interview skills. Sometimes the instruction will be job-focused workshops, or assistance with job maintenance or the norms of the workplace. “We also do vocational evaluation,” Hurd said. “This is a twoweek assessment designed to learn more about the person’s strengths and abilities. A report at the end makes recommendations for the programs and services to which the person is best suited.” Each year, Partners in Employment sees well over a thousand clients and finds suitable jobs for many hundreds of them. Hurd says,
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