Employment Supports Are Here: Will They Deliver?

For persons with disabilities in Ontario it has been a long wait for an employment supports program that directly addresses their needs. Up until just a few weeks ago, the only assistance came by way of Vocational Rehabilitation Services. Even the title of the VRS program was a clear indicator that it was never properly directed towards serving people with disabilities. With the introduction of the new Employment Supports program, it is said that this will change for the better.

I am pleased to say that the program does appear to be a great improvement. I will reserve full judgement, however, until we see how well the program is implemented. Those who fear waiting lists, busy signals, and red tape would be justified in their skepticism. I will report back on this issue within the next few months, so if you have anything to say, drop me a line.

Here are some of the details:

On February 3, 1999 Minister of Community and Social Services Janet Ecker today announced improved employment supports for people with disabilities through the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP).

"We have kept our promise to create employment supports that recognize people with disabilities want to work and can work. We are doubling the funding to $35 million, to help people with disabilities prepare for, get and keep a job," said Minister Ecker. "We will be providing employment supports to four times as many people as we served under the old program."

ODSP employment supports represent a shift in focus from counselling and assessment, to providing supports that help people with disabilities overcome barriers to employment. Specific supports can include employment planning, training, job placement and assistance with the costs of technical aids such as interpreters and note-takers.

"The employment supports component of ODSP responds to long-standing calls from people with disabilities for action to support their desire to seek, obtain and retain employment," said Ms Ecker.

Speaking at the Raging Spoon Café on Queen Street West, Minister Ecker thanked consumers and community groups for their advice in developing the employment supports component of ODSP. She also congratulated the Ontario Council of Alternative Businesses (OCAB), which supported the creation of the Raging Spoon and several other businesses managed and operated by former consumers of mental health services.

Diana Capponi, Co-ordinator of OCAB, expressed support for the new initiative: "People requiring services of our mental healthcare system have repeatedly stated, 'What we need, what we want, is a home, a job, and a friend.' We are excited and hopeful that these newly-announced employment supports will finally address the unemployment our community faces."

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