Employment support for Persons with Disabilities in the Halifax Regional Municipality area

HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA—Mike Savage, Member of Parliament for Dartmouth–Cole Harbour, on behalf of Ken Dryden, Minister of Social Development, today announced $87,509 for a project with TEAM Work Cooperative Ltd. (TWC) to increase employment opportunities for persons with disabilities in the Halifax Regional Municipality.

"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."

"Our project changes lives!" says Janice Ainsworth, Executive Director of TWC. "TEAM Work Cooperative, with the assistance of this fund, has supported hundreds of individuals with disabilities in securing rewarding employment opportunities."

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.

The Government of Canada is supporting this project through the Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities. The objective of the Opportunities Fund is to help persons with disabilities prepare for, obtain, and keep employment or self-employment, thereby increasing their economic well-being. The Opportunities Fund supports a broad array of employment activities for persons with disabilities who are unemployed and who are not normally eligible for employment benefits under the Employment Insurance Act.

Funding for this project was provided for in the 2005 federal budget.

This project has been reviewed to ensure compliance with the Department's administration of its grants and contributions program.

-30-

This news release and backgrounder are available in alternative formats, on request. Call 1-800-788-8282 on a Touch-Tone phone or through a teletypewriter (TTY).

For more information:

Sarah Bain
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Social Development
(613) 941-0766

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

Janice Ainsworth
TEAM Work Cooperative Ltd.
(902) 422-8900

BACKGROUNDER

Opportunity Fund Project – TEAM Work Cooperative Ltd.

April 1, 2005 – July 31, 2005

Funding amount: $87,509

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, they 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.

Social Development Partnerships Program – Disability

The Social Development Partnerships Program (SDPP) is a grants and contributions program that provides financial support to organizations working in the social non-profit sector.

The SDPP addresses the social development and inclusion needs of people with disabilities, children and their families, and other vulnerable or excluded groups.

The program has a mandate to help strengthen organizations in the non-profit sector and to foster partnerships that advance social goals and enhance the quality of life of Canadians. Its disability component (SDPP-D) seeks to advance the Government of Canada's disability agenda by promoting the full participation of Canadians with disabilities in learning, work, and community life. The SDPP-D supports research that promotes awareness of issues that relate to persons with disabilities and their families. The program also promotes the generation, dissemination, and application of knowledge, innovative solutions, and best practices.

FUNDING

The SDPP-D provides $11 million in funding per year.