Government of Canada supports employment for Persons with Disabilities in the Halifax Regional Municipality

Halifax, October 13, 2005 —Tony Ianno, Minister of State (Families and Caregivers), on behalf of Ken Dryden, Minister of Social Development, today announced funding of $221,671 for a project with TEAM Work Cooperative Limited to increase employment opportunities for persons with disabilities in the Halifax Regional Municipality.

"We are proud to take part in a project that will lead to including and integrating people with disabilities into our communities," said Minister Ianno. "It is organizations like TEAM Work Cooperative Limited that help us to achieve this common goal."

"Helping persons with disabilities become fully included in society is a priority for the Government of Canada," said Minister Dryden. "We want to ensure that all Canadians have the opportunity to contribute to the economic and social life of their country. I am very pleased that we can play a positive role in their lives through this project."

The TEAM Work Cooperative fund is an innovative program designed to help persons with disabilities prepare for, obtain, and maintain employment or self-employment. In addition to assistance with job search skills, individuals may participate in programs offering job placement, wage subsidies, or skills development. Participants may also receive special technical aids or employment supports to help them secure and maintain employment.

"The Opportunities Fund is a government program that does not limit resources, but opens the door of possibilities concerning employment for persons with disabilities" said Janice Ainsworth, Executive Director of TEAM Work Cooperative Limited.

The Government of Canada supports this project through the Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities. The purpose of the Opportunities Fund is to help people with disabilities to prepare for, obtain, and keep employment or self-employment. The Opportunities Fund supports a broad array of employment projects for people with disabilities who are unemployed and who are not normally eligible for employment benefits under the Employment Insurance Act.

Funding for this initiative was provided for in the February 2005 federal budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework. These projects have been reviewed to ensure compliance with the Department’s administration of its grants and contributions program.

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This news release and backgrounder are available in alternative formats, on request.

For more information:

Kelly Ouimet
Director of Communications
Minister Ianno’s Office
(613) 941-3656

Sarah Bain
Press Secretary
Minister Dryden’s Office
(613) 941-0766

Janice Ainsworth
Executive Director
TEAM Work Cooperative Limited
(902) 422-8900 ext 107

Media Relations
Social Development Canada
(613) 941-1110
Web site: www.sdc.gc.ca

BACKGROUNDER

Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities

The Government of Canada’s $30-million Opportunities Fund for persons with disabilities helps people with disabilities to prepare for, obtain, and keep employment or self-employment. The program is for people with disabilities who have had little or no labour force experience and who therefore do not normally qualify for assistance under Part II of the Employment Insurance Act.

The Opportunities Fund works in partnership with organizations for people with disabilities, including the private sector, to support an array of activities such as encouraging employers to hire workers with disabilities, increasing the employment skills of people with disabilities, providing work experience, and helping people start their own business.

For more information, visit the Social Development Canada website at www.sdc.gc.ca or contact your local Service Canada Centre.

TeamWork Cooperative Limited

Opportunities Fund, Community Coordinator

$221,671

The TEAM Work Cooperative fund is an innovative program designed to help persons with disabilities prepare for, obtain, and maintain employment or self-employment. The program is a key component of the return-to-work action plan and focuses on persons with disabilities.

Through this project, eligible individuals will receive an initial needs assessment to identify program activities that will support their employment goals. In addition to assistance with job search skills, individuals may participate in programs offering job placement, wage subsidies, or skills development. Participants may also receive special technical aids or employment supports to help them secure and maintain employment.