EmployAbilities: Putting Abilities to Work

By Mahenaz Layton

EmployAbilities: Putting Abilities to Work

Life changed for Therese Lehoux six years ago when she came to EmployAbilities. Her husband Jim had heard an ad on the radio about EmployAbilities’ mission to support persons with disabilities through economic independence, and encouraged her to explore the opportunity. “I couldn’t believe it – could they really help to train and get me a real job”, she wondered.

Therese has MS (Multiple Sclerosis), a diagnosis made 26 years ago, when she could barely walk and had double vision. For all those years Therese was unable to function well because of her multiple barriers. Her left arm is missing just above the elbow – she calls herself a thalidomide “survivor”, and also suffers from Fibromyalgia. She became bored with her limited life and through trial and error discovered nutrition and lifestyle changes, which gave her energy and drive to challenge herself to do more.

Therese has been receptionist at EmployAbilities for four years. She tracks clients and staff, and never forgets a face, nor mispronounces a name. Therese handles the busy switchboard, greets clients, answers questions maintains the daily attendance register, and provides information and referrals; she is an active member of the EA social committee, and even manages to fit in a noon hour work out in her busy day. “Where else could I get paid for sitting and talking on the phone all day” Therese adds.

Although Therese was not quite ready for the job when she was hired, Iris (Saunders), Executive Director, overlooked the requirement of typing at 30 w.p.m. Therese’s response to her typing was that what she lacked in speed she made up in personality – which is what every receptionist needs.

Therese has several technological devices to assist her in her work: a wireless phone enables her to answer the phone from anywhere in the building, this wireless phone has an online indicator no larger than a mouse which sits on her computer monitor to let others know that she is busy on the phone. She can manage the compact one hand span, space saver keyboard and her wireless mouse quite easily. Rest periods and time off are also available to Therese to counter the fatigue of MS.

EmployAbilities has several different types of assistive technology for learners to use during their training. Upon employment, EmployAbilities supports both learner and employer to obtain appropriate technology through the government’s Disabilities Related Employment Supports programme (DRES).

EmployAbilities’ learners generally have different, or, like Therese, multiple disabilities. They may range from physical, learning, developmental, mental health, hearing and even medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, asthma and other respiratory conditions, HIV/AIDS, or arthritis, which lead to disabilities and barriers. However, MS is a physical degenerative disability which may progress quickly or slowly, and affects an individual’s energy level, strength and/or concentration.

It is estimated that about one in seven Albertans have some type of disability, and the incidence and severity of the disability increases with age. Nearly 60% of Albertans with disabilities are of working age (15-64 years), and a majority of these would like to work (source: StatsCan 2001).

EmployAbilities’ commitment to promote and enhance learning and employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities means that training and programmes are designed in consultation with learners and employers. Partnerships in the community and with agencies such as the MS society are developed and nurtured to create webs of support for persons with disabilities. The common vision is economic independence through employment.

EmployAbilities has multiple strategies to assist learners in their job search:

Two full time job developers actively mine the business community for employment opportunities. Employment Counsellors also have connections to employers and can help their learners find positions once their training is completed. EmployAbilities’ community relations through marketing and presentations help to dispel common myths and barriers employers have about employing persons with disabilities. Publications sponsored by EmployAbilities help to educate employers about the advantages of employing persons with disabilities.

Our customized employment plan provides for job shadows which give exposure and educational opportunities for learners to find out more about their chosen career by “shadowing” an incumbent. Job Shadows are a “hands on” approach to learning about networking, cold calling, and even mentoring opportunities. Sometime they can even be a springboard to an entry level position.

Two funded programmes, Basic Foundation Skills Programme (BFSP) and Customer Service Representative (CSR), have a built in work placement component. Learners identify their area of interest after completing the training, and with assistance from programme coordinators and job developers, paid work placements are arranged. Very often at the end of the three week placement a continuing position is created for the learner. BFSP gives learners the opportunity to obtain their GED (General Education Diploma), a high school equivalency diploma, as well as Alberta recognized office skills in computers. The CSR programme provides nationally recognized call centre training and many enterprising learners use the training as a first step to other opportunities.

Our customized employment plan provides for job shadows which give exposure and educational opportunities for learners to find out more about their chosen career by “shadowing” an incumbent. Job Shadows are a “hands on” approach to learning about networking, cold calling, and even mentoring opportunities. Sometime they can even be a springboard to an entry level position.

Two funded programmes, Basic Foundation Skills Programme (BFSP) and Customer Service Representative (CSR), have a built in work placement component. Learners identify their area of interest after completing the training, and with assistance from programme coordinators and job developers, paid work placements are arranged. Very often at the end of the three week placement a continuing position is created for the learner. BFSP gives learners the opportunity to obtain their GED (General Education Diploma), a high school equivalency diploma, as well as Alberta recognized office skills in computers. The CSR programme provides nationally recognized call centre training and many enterprising learners use the training as a first step to other opportunities.

Job Coaching usually involves a partnership between a business and EmployAbilities. A position is developed such as a current position with the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce for an individual with disabilities to use on the job skills while learning the responsibilities and expectations of a particular position. A “coach” or mentor helps to teach these skills.

Training on the Job reimbursements offered by Alberta Human Resources and Employment, are also available to EmployAbilities’ learners.

EmployAbilities’ own Partners’ Call Centre provides hands on paid training and experience for all learners interested in part time employment while training. Some learners continue to work permanently on a part time basis at this call centre.

EmployAbilities’ training in computers and soft skills modules developed in concert with employers and learners ensures individuals are job ready. Our fully accessible and barrier free building is particularly appreciated by learners with limited mobility and pain issues. “There is less walking than in other institutions, and the instruction is very individualized” is a common endorsement from our learners.

Different technological devices and software for persons with disabilities, ergonomic chairs/desks and keyboards, help to maintain, increase, and improve learners’ functioning capabilities.

Other Websites of Interest:

Assistive-Technology.ca
www.assistive-technology.ca

WORKink
http://www.workink.com

Assistive Technology Links – Industry Canada
https://www.neads.ca/en/norc/eag/resources_technology.php

Mahenaz Layton is a career practitioner with training in journalism and project management.  She lives in downtown Edmonton, and enjoys her work at EmployAbilities. For more information on EmployAbilities, please call 780-423-4106