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Accessible Workplaces: Finding employment to fit your needs

If you have a disability, you may face significant challenges looking for a job and/or adapting your work environment to accommodate a disability. However, there is help from provincial programs and support services, as well as assistive devices, to reduce or overcome these challenges.

How do I find accessible employment?
Who can help me assess my needs?
What workplace accommodations can be made?

How do I find accessible employment?

One of the most common barriers faced by those with a disability is finding accessible employment. Below are some resources that provide job opportunities specifically adapted for people with a disability.

WORKink provides job postings for Canadians with disabilities as well as tools and articles for the various steps of employment.

Persons with Disabilities Online provides a list of resources, including job listings and employment services.

LinkUp provides online and telephone services to help people with disabilities locate jobs and access resources they may require to succeed at a job.

Choose your province or territory below to find more disability support programs and workplace services:

• Alberta
• British Columbia
• Manitoba
• New Brunswick
• Newfoundland and Labrador
• Northwest Territories
• Nova Scotia
• Nunavut
• Ontario
• Prince Edward Island
• Quebec
• Saskatchewan
• Yukon

Who can help me assess my needs?

While you should always see your family doctor about any medical concerns you have, another valuable member of your health team is your occupational therapist (OT). Your OT can help you with an injury, illness or disability that prevents or makes it difficult to do your normal daily tasks. An OT assesses a person’s physical and mental abilities and limitations, as well as the structure and function of the environments in which they live and work. Once these factors are assessed, OTs can suggest and implement modifications and tools to help make your work and home environments more functional for your disability.

Find an occupational therapist in your area.

What workplace accommodations can be made?

Whether your disability requires an assistive device or a certain workplace modification, your employer has a duty to accommodate (requires Adobe Reader). Examples of accommodations include making a workplace wheelchair accessible or providing assistive devices to employees with hearing or vision impairments.

There are many organizations and associations that can help accommodate people with disabilities in the workplace.

Persons with Disabilities Online provides a list of assistive technology programs for each province and territory. You can also check out their list of accessibility resources.

Industry Canada provides resources for employees and employers on creating accessible work environments.

Managing a disability may be difficult, especially in the work environment. By making use of the resources available, you can get some help in finding accessible employment and accommodating your individual needs.

Key Websites:

• Government of Canada: Persons with disabilities online
• Link Up: Employment services for persons with disabilities
• Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat: Creating a welcoming workplace for employees with disabilities
• WORKink

Related Articles:

• Disability Insurance: Connecting the dots
• Stress and Your Workplace

References