According to the Council of Canadians with Disabilities, 14.3% of Canadians report having a disability. Canadians with disabilities are more than twice as likely to live in poverty as other Canadians. Those with learning disabilities (LDs) represent a segment of this population who are too often un- and under-employed. Both a lack of accommodation in the workplace and stigma can contribute to this underrepresentation.
In celebration of International Day of Persons with Disabilities (Dec. 3), the following resources will be useful for career professionals (CDPs) working with clients with learning disabilities, as well as for jobseekers with learning disabilities and employers looking to accommodate employees with learning disabilities.
Associations
Learning Disabilities Association of Canada
Find links to provincial/territorial associations, as well as advocacy research and position papers.
Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario
Useful general information from the new sister site LD@Home, including common terms, definitions of and myths around learning disabilities, understanding learning disabilities and current research, as well as information about workplace disclosure and accommodations.
Jobseeker resources and programs
Balance Careers website
This website showcases work-from-home ideas and current job postings, offering an opportunity for jobseekers to work from home and, specifically, to work the number of hours they wish and are able.
British Columbia Aboriginal Network on Disability Society
This organization provides advice and assistance to Indigenous people who self-identify as having a disability. They provide Case Management services, as well as information on Persons with Disability (PWD) status and benefits and information about the Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities.
Montreal Centre for Learning Disabilities
This centre offers an adult education program for those who are currently underemployed or having difficulty keeping a job. The program addresses the following: understanding learning disabilities, advantages and disadvantages of disclosure, accommodation and assistive technology, and social and communication skills at work.
Opportunities Fund program – BC Centre for Ability
A financial assistance program designed to help persons with a disability obtain employment through funding for training, wage subsidy, funding for adaptive equipment and self-employment training.
WorkBC
Resources and programs for people with disabilities, as well as career assessment tools, career profiles, a job board and information about financial assistance, training and wage subsidy programs for employers.
Work-Able
A 12-month paid internship with the BC Public Service for recent post-secondary graduates (within three years) who identify as having a disability. Interns gain public service experience, knowledge and skills, mentoring and support and possible future employment with the provincial government. Employers receive a work accessibility assessment and funding toward assistive equipment.
National
Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work (CCRW)
CCRW’s Job Accommodation Service (JAS) service works with employers across Canada to help reduce barriers to individuals who need job accommodation by providing solutions and advice.
Canadian Human Rights Commission
Provides links to provincial/territorial Human Rights agencies, information on legislation on discrimination, harassment and employer duty to accommodate, employer obligations and how to file a human rights complaint.
Council of Canadians with Disabilities
A national human rights organization of people with disabilities working for an inclusive and accessible Canada. Council of Canadians with Disabilities member organizations are provincial/territorial cross-disability, consumer-controlled human rights organizations.
CERIC literature searches
- Learning Disabilities in the Workplace: Topics covered include dyslexia, ADD, accommodation, disclosing illness and disability, and accommodation.
- Persons with Disabilities and Career Development: Topics covered include employer practices, disability issues, employment retention, and disability and skills.
Additional reading
- How accommodations can help people with executive function issues thrive at work (CareerWise)
- How CDPs can help clients with disabilities to navigate legislative changes (Careering magazine)
- 13 Ways to be more inclusive of talent with learning disabilities (Forbes)
- 11 free webinars to help build inclusive workplaces for people with disabilities (CareerWise)
- Accommodating Invisible Disabilities in the Workplace (AODA)
- Job Accommodations for People with Learning Disabilities (LDOnline)
- Learning Disabilities in the Workplace (Employ Abilities)
Did we miss something? Leave a comment below or send us a note at careerwise@ceric.ca if you have information that can help make our article even better.
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