Examining Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) and Employment

CPA Ontario Employment Services /University of Toronto and Australian Researchers
Team up to Examine SCI and Employment
…find out how you can get involved

Studies show that returning to work after an SCI has a significant positive impact on the self reliance, independence and overall health of an individual. For decades we’ve seen a gap in Canadian research regarding SCI and employment. There is currently no research-based information available to agencies like CPA Ontario about the types of interventions that are most effective in helping someone find and maintain work.

CPA Ontario Employment Services, University of Toronto and a group of Australian researchers are conducting a province-wide research study to learn about reasons for job loss following return to work after an SCI. The study is funded by the Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation and Victoria Neurotrauma Initiative (Australia).

The researchers will be working with participants in the SCI community, employers and service agencies, to develop services that could have a positive impact on unnecessary job loss following return to work.

The goal of this study is to come up with practical solutions that will have a positive impact on employment rates for people with an SCI.

This is where we need your help. We’re currently looking for participants throughout Ontario who meet the eligibility requirements below:

• Sustained a spinal cord injury approximately 2-5 years ago
• Workforce age 
• Canadian citizen or permanent resident 
• Started a job after your injury, that did not continue (for any reason) 
• Able to participate in a 30 to 60 minute interview either in person or over the telephone

Your participation in this study is confidential. Only the researchers at University of Toronto will have access to your responses. CPA Ontario will not be informed as to whether you choose to participate, and your access to services at CPA Ontario will in no way be affected by your participation.

If you are interested in participating in the study, please follow this link
www.surveymonkey.com/s/employment_and_sci

Or for more information, contact the University of Toronto researchers at:

Dr. Cheryl Cott, Ph.D., Primary Investigator
Work & SCI Project
Department of Physical Therapy,
University of Toronto
cheryl.cott@utoronto.ca

Laura Moll, Project Coordinator
Work & SCI Project
Ph.D. (Candidate)
Graduate Department of Rehabilitation Science
Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto
laura.moll@utoronto.ca