Searching for Disabilities Employment Programs

Community-based day program

• recreation
• academics
• arts and crafts
• social skills
• sensory activities
• physical fitness
• communication and vocational training
• spiritual care

• direct service including counselling
• advocacy
• escort to appointments
• help to navigate different systems, such as housing, legal, health care
• help with application for ODSP, connecting to housing workers, finding a doctor
• referrals for case management through The Access Point (see separate entry)

• using different therapeutic methods, such as Cognitive Behavioural therapy (CBT), Solution Focussed, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Narrative

• on-call mobile crisis service for adults 65 years and older, with addictions or mental health challenges
• partners include LOFT Community Services, Haven Toronto, and South Riverdale Community Health Centre; see Toronto Seniors Helpline listing for details

• community based program that helps adults experiencing mental health issues find paid employment

Social enterprise courier service staffed and run by people with lived experience of mental illness and substance use

• supported employment opportunities including permanent and transitional employment
• employment includes transition and service navigation support and advocacy, and social support network opportunities such as staff breakfast, social activities, alumni and art clubs
  

• peer and staff case management support
• evening, weekend and holiday social recreation activities
• social and recreation opportunities for young adults
• digital media opportunities such as podcasts, videos, newsletters
• supported employment and housing opportunities
• access to affordable meals
  

• phone 416-960-9276
• text 647-557-5882
• online chat visit www.warmline.ca

COVID19

• visit website for list of current changes and closures including visiting policies
• expanded virtual programming

Pediatric rehabilitation and complex continuing care hospital
Inpatient Services

• brain injury rehabilitation
• specialized orthopedic and developmental rehabilitation (SODR)
• complex continuing care
• Get Up and Go - pediatric pain service

Outpatient Services

• augmentative and alternative communication; writing aids service
• autism diagnosis and treatment services; Autism Assessment Diagnostic Hub
• brain injury rehabilitation, concussion centre
• cleft lip and palate/craniofacial service
• clinical seating
• creative arts and music therapy
• dental clinic - by referral by physician or dentist only
• feeding
• neuromotor and neuromuscular
• orthotics, prosthetics and myoelectrics
• respite
• snoezelen rooms for inpatients and the community
• spina bifida and spinal cord services
• swim programs
• therapeutic recreation and life skills
• youth engagement and employment programs

Early Learning and Development

• infant and child development consultation and early intervention
• consultative support to childcare centres on programming, occupational therapy and school transitions
• 2 nursery schools -- see separate entries

Adult Services

• orthotics
• prosthetics and myoelectrics
• swim programs

Employment Services - support and training for job seekers and workers with disabilities

• 1-on-1 goal planning and coaching
• resume and cover letter support
• interview skills practice
• guidance on requesting accommodation and disclosing disability
• supportive job search
• participants have access to Career Management Portal

Support to businesses

• recruitment
• ongoing support after employing a CCRW candidate, including workplace accommodations and modifications

CCRW locations:
Kitchener, 127 Victoria St S, Suite 201, N1G 2B4, [email protected]
Ottawa, 130 Albert St, Suite 1103, K1P 5G4 [email protected]

Supported post-secondary certificate program intended to develop and cultivate career possibilities, learning styles, and confidence and leadership in navigating institutions to support post-secondary goals

Key skills developed include:

• communication
• critical thinking and problem solving
• information and change management
• community building and leadership
• self-advocacy

Other development opportunities include:

• gaining credentials and experiences for post-secondary and certificate programs
• strategy and skill development
• exploration and pursuit of academic and career goals
• understanding of, and addressing, individual challenges to employment, academic and interpersonal success

• does not provide clinical services

Provides training and employment opportunities to job seekers, incumbent workers and employers through a partnership-driven approach

Skills Development Fund Training Stream

• Projects support hiring, training, and upskilling to jobseekers, apprentices, and workers.
• Specific projects are listed on the list of Skills Development Fund Agencies across Ontario.

Skills Development Fund Capital Stream

• Supports organizations with upgrades or construction of training centres in high-demand jobs, like the skilled trades.

Advocates for and provides support and services to children, youth and adults with an intellectual disability

Children and Youth

• information on early childhood programs, school placement, registration, education plans
• help in accessing funding and programs
• development of a plan to ensure consistency between home, school and community programs
• employment programs for youth

Adults

• skills development including literacy, money management, social skills, and travel training
• job placement
• Case Management Program (Formerly Adult Protective Service Worker Program (APSW))
  • supportive services, including counselling and advocacy, for adults 18 years and older living or planning to live independently in the community

Families

• Family and parent support groups
• in-home consultation and collaboration with other professionals to plan for services

Residential Services

• supported group living
• supportive home share
• supportive independent living
• LIGHTS, www.lights.to -- helps families explore community residential options and funding eligibility

Respite Services

• adult fee-for-service programs
• residential respite for children and adults
• summer camps

ConnectABILITY, www.connectability.ca -- online information, tools and workshops for people with a developmental disability, their families and support networks

Community-based day program

• recreation
• academics
• arts and crafts
• social skills
• sensory activities
• physical fitness
• communication and vocational training
• spiritual care

Vocational rehabilitation program for persons with mental health challenges

• assessment and training
• basic work assessments
• life skills
• light packaging and assembly work experience and/or volunteering in Meals that Heal Program
• supportive counselling
• mental health wellness groups
• social activities and community outings

Participants who have developed competitive employment skills can then be referred to Transitional Employment Program (see separate listing), the Affirmative Business (packaging and light assembly business) or other programs

• work skills training
• job shadowing
• supportive counselling
• various competitive job opportunities and work experience
• reintegration support and follow up

Good Foot Forward - support and employment services

• hybrid learning opportunity for neurodivergent individuals interested in gaining employment skills and work experience

Same-day delivery by foot or on transit within the Greater Toronto Area (M postal codes)

• satellite art training program partnerships
• initiatives such as Art Cart, Being Scene Annual Juried Exhibition, and Rendezvous with Madness Film Festival

Community-based and in-home mental health and addiction services

• case management for individuals with mental health challenges, including youth, seniors, and those at risk of involvement with justice system
• Assertive Community Treatment Teams (ACTT) and multidisciplinary teams, including psychogeriatric supports
• concurrent disorders, dual diagnosis and cognitive disability support services
• supportive housing and homelessness prevention

Some programs and services in collaboration with other community agencies; call or visit website for complete service descriptions and satellite office locations

FAME Family and Caregiver Support Services for individuals in a caregiving role, see separate listings

For Crisis Outreach Services for Seniors (COSS), 416-217-2077, see separate listing for Toronto Seniors Helpline

• The Ontario Autism Program (OAP)
• consultation services
• Resource Centre and Library
• adult Supports
• transitional adult services
• respite and recreational services
• workshops
• Social Skills groups and sibling groups and Camps
• residential services and supports

Range of community support services including information and referrals, case management, early intervention, assertive community treatment, employment and housing services, family support services, health and wellness groups, social rehabilitation, mental health and justice programs, and education and mental health promotion, workshops for individuals and organizations, publications, and systemic advocacy

Short Stay Crisis Bed Registry, 416-248-4174, CMHA Toronto

• registry line for the short-stay crisis beds in Toronto run by CMHA Toronto, Gerstein MHJ Short-Stay Crisis Bed and Reconnect MHJ Short-Stay Crisis Bed
• temporary residential support for up to 30 days

Holiday Gift Program
Gifts of warm clothing each December to consumers of mental health services, distributed through mental health agencies

Living Life to the Full for Caregivers 55+
8-week course using cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)

• individuals develop skills and strategies to deal with stress, anxiety, and/or life transitions and challenges
• visit CMHA Ontario website for workshop locations across Toronto

Extreme Cleaning and Hoarding Support Program

• support for seniors who are in need of extreme cleaning and/or hoarding supports
• visit website for additional information

BounceBack Ontario and Ontario Structured Psychotherapy, see separate listing for intake agency, Canadian Mental Health Association, York Region and South Simcoe

Education and employment opportunities through social enterprise and pre-employment training programs

• operates Out of this World Café, Parkdale Green Thumb Enterprises, Raging Spoon Catering, College Street Catering
• pre-employment training programs include Food and Horticulture Training, Relief Worker Training (shelters and drop-in)
• Voices from the Street public speakers available on a variety of issues

• consumer/survivor initiatives to address economic and social barriers, such as employment preparation, computer training, and literacy and ESL classes
• leadership and advocacy training
• peer-led addictions wellness and harm reduction group
• alternative models of support and services, including art and music therapy
• community outreach, including anti-racism education and training in mental health

• office and building janitorial services and property management

Advocates for and provides support and services to children, youth and adults with an intellectual disability
Children and Youth

• information on early childhood programs, school placement, registration, education plans
• help in accessing funding and programs
• development of a plan to ensure consistency between home, school and community programs
• employment programs for youth

Adults

• skills development including literacy, money management, social skills, and travel training
• job placement
• Case Management Program (Formerly Adult Protective Service Worker Program (APSW))
  • supportive services, including counselling and advocacy, for adults 18 years and older living or planning to live independently in the community

Families

• Family and parent support groups
• in-home consultation and collaboration with other professionals to plan for services

Residential Services

• supported group living
• supportive home share
• supportive independent living
• LIGHTS,www.lights.to -- helps families explore community residential options and funding eligibility

Respite Services

• adult fee-for-service programs
• residential respite for children and adults
• summer camps

ConnectABILITY, www.connectability.ca -- online information, tools and workshops for people with a developmental disability, their families and support networks