Looking for a Job?

Contact us:

416-422-5644 extension 245

Employment@cpaont.org

“Our Employment Services team provides services to any job seeker with a disability in Toronto. We specialize in serving people with Spinal Cord Injuries and other mobility impairments; however our services are available to anyone with any disability. Also, thanks to our current partnership with Balance for Blind Adults, we also have specialized expertise for serving people with blindness/visual impairment."

CPA Ontario Employment Services are proud to offer tailored services to meet your needs.

Employment Counselling

Each of our job seekers works one-on-one with a dedicated Employment Counsellor, who stays with you for support and follow-up. The Employment Counsellors can assist you with:

• Identifying your reasons, or motivation, to work, and how to stay motivated during your job search and on the job.
• Identifying your skills and strengths through interest, aptitude, and skill assessments.
• Identifying your job goals based on your interests, skills, and current labour market trends
• Developing a job action plan outlining next step to reaching your employment goals.
• Identifying your potential barriers to work and creating an action plan for those barriers.
• Connecting with other community services and supports that may assist in you preparation for work.
• Figuring out how and when to disclose your disability and request an accommodation
• And, if going back to school is what you’re interested in, we can help you decide what school program to take, and finding financial assistance

Job Placement

Our team of Job Developers can assist you in your goal to find employment. You and the Job Developer both work equally as hard toward your job search; you learn as much as you can about how to job search and commit to completing the traditional job search which, depending on your individual Job Action Plan, may consist of research, networking, cold calling, or sending out resumes (see Drop-in Employment Resource Centre (make underlined area a link) for more information). The Job Developer meets and partners with as many employers as possible to help them with their hiring needs, therefore accessing the hidden job market, and contacts you when there is a job vacancy that you may be interested in applying for. When you decide to apply for a job, the Employment Information Coordinator at CPA Ontario can help you tailor your resume and cover letter, as well as prepare for any meetings with the potential employer.

Job Retention

Job Retention services are available through ODSP Employment Supports. “Job Retention” refers to the general services and supports CPA Ontario Employment Services can offer to help you keep your job, and help your employer keep you as a great employee. As described by ODSP:

"Most employees require different types, levels and intensity of supports on their job. Businesses often provide supports to their employees during the normal course of business. However, some employers may need additional assistance in creating an inclusive workplace that is supportive of individuals with disabilities and provide the tools employees with disabilities need to perform the job effectively."

 Workplace supports that are specifically designed to assist an employee with a disability to perform his/her job may include modifications to the work environment (e.g. automatic door openers, signage on walls, telephone amplifiers, etc.); adjustments to employment policies and practices (flex time to accommodate disability needs, reimbursement of employee expenses, etc.); and/or changes in the way certain job functions are performed that allow the employee to complete the tasks successfully (e.g. providing a written list of job duties, team assignments, etc.).

Job retention supports funded by ODSP Employment Supports may include the following, as appropriate: 

• Job monitoring and interventions to assist clients and employers if there are work performance issues;
• Assisting the client to negotiate workplace supports;
• Assisting employers to identify and develop job accommodations; and
• On-the-job supports (e.g. job coaching (link to Job Coaching section), motivational strategies, assisting the client to arrange community supports, etc.).

Job retention supports may be provided on a regular or as needed basis, for up to a maximum of 33 consecutive months after job placement (maximum of 15 consecutive months for clients not in receipt of ODSP Income Support). The support is intended to assist the individual to maintain employment and if necessary, identify when increased support and/or tools to perform the job are required. Job retention supports may involve direct assistance in the workplace, contact with clients over the phone, brief meetings/consultations with the employer and support for work-related activities outside the workplace. The type of tools or support required will depend on the individual's disability-related needs, personal preferences, job tasks, employer needs, and the availability of existing supports. Effective supports are designed with both the employee and employer input.

Career Advancement services are also available through our ODSP Employment Supports program. This service applies to you if you are working, but considered “under employed” based on your skills, experience and current needs of the labour market. If realistic in the current labour market, we assist you to advance within or between jobs, which can include activities such as learning additional duties, pursuing opportunities for promotion, exploring other job opportunities using transferable skills and experience, and job skills upgrading.

Job Coaching

Job Coaching can start as soon as you start the job (during training), if you have to learn a new skill as part of your job, or if you’ve been working for a while but are encountering some difficulty with a particular task. Job Coaching services from CPA Ontario Employment Services can be requested any time by either you or your employer to help ensure your success on the job.

This service involves you working with our Job Coach to develop tools and techniques to help you learn or remember how to do a certain aspect of your job independently. This usually involves our Job Coach working closely with yourself as well as your employer. The Job Coach support is designed to be temporary as you get increasingly more independent in completing the task.

Assistive Technology

Assistive Technology assessment and training is available through our partnership with Toronto Rehabilitation. This service is provided to clients who have a physical barrier to accessing the computer which can impact job goal selection, job searching activities, and success on the job. If you are eligible, our Employment Services team will refer you to Assistive Technology where your adaptive technology needs will be assessed by an Occupational Therapist and Rehabilitation Engineer. They will provide a report and recommendations, and explore any potential for funding assistance with the Employment Services team.

Drop-in Employment Resource Centre (pictures included)

Our drop-in Employment Resource Centre (ERC) is located at 520 Sutherland Drive, on the first floor of the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute facility. It is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm, and the Employment Information Coordinator is on-site to assist you with any employment related questions.

Job Seekers utilizing the ERC will have access to resources, printer/fax/photocopier, and computers which have been equipped with adaptive technology such as:

• a track ball mouse,
• adjustable desk height and keyboard position
• head mouse
• JAWS for Windows ® Screen Reading Software
• Kurzweil 1000
• Alva Braille Display
• Juliette Pro Braille Printer
• Topaz Document Magnifier

Other ERC services include:

• customized resume and cover letter writing
• interview preparation
• career exploration interest and skills assessments
• Job Search / Skills for Success Workshops (link)
• As well as extensive resources, information and referral services.

Job Finding Club and Skills for Success Seminars

Our free 1- week Skills for Success program assists our job seekers in:

• Developing effective job search strategies
• Upgrading interview skills through mock interviews in a friendly and supportive environment
• Accessing most current labour market information and job search tools
• Learning new workplace communication skills including effective conflict resolution and decision making techniques
• Boosting confidence through exercises related to assertiveness, confidence and a positive self image
• Improving workplace well-being with knowledge and tips about successful stress management methods
• Enjoying self discovery while learning more about various personality types and the impact of these types on our behaviour and communication at work through Personality Dimensions Training
• See our Skills for Success Workshop calendar to find out when the next sessions are offered (link). To register call Jenny Gilker at 416-422-5644 x245 or email jenny.gilker@cpaont.org.

Job Search Support Group

Our Job Search Support Group is a great way to connect with other job seekers in Toronto. This Group is a forum to discuss job searching tips, ways of staying positive and motivated, as well as networking. The Group is attended and facilitated by one of our Job Developers, so is also a great way to stay connected with the Job Development team.

Assessment Centre Services

CPA Ontario Employment Services is an Employment Ontario Assessment Centre. Services include:

• Second Career Strategy
• Skills Development Applications
• Targeted Wage Subsidy
• Self Employment Benefit Applications

A network member of JOIN

CPA Ontario Employment Services is a network member of the Job Opportunity Information Network, or JOIN. JOIN consists of 23 agencies in the Toronto Region that work together to increase employment outcomes for people with disabilities. www.joininfo.ca