Government of Canada provides more than $1,000,000 to nine projects to support persons with disabilities

SASKATOON August 22, 2005 — Ken Dryden, Minister of Social Development, today announced funding of $1,057,802 for nine projects with disability organizations to help persons with disabilities become employed.

"Helping persons with disabilities fully integrate into society is an important priority for the Government of Canada," said Minister Dryden. "We want to ensure that all Canadians have the opportunity to contribute to the social and economic fabric of our country. I am very pleased that we can have an effect on the lives of these individuals through this project."

The nine projects enable persons with disabilities to gain valuable employment skills through services such as skills enhancement, work experience and career counselling.

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

The Canadian Council for Rehabilitation and Work supports a national cross-Canada project. The Saskatchewan Abilities Council supports three regional projects. The Newsask Community Futures Development Corporation, Multiworks Vocational Training Corp., Community Advocates for Employment; Prince Albert and District Community Service Centre;and the Regina Community Clinicare supporting regional projects. See the attached backgrounder for project details.

Funding for these projects was provided in the 2005 federal budget .

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.

Call 1 800 788-8282 on a touchtone phone or through a teletypewriter (TTY).

For more information, please contact:

Lisa Danyluk
Human Resources and Skills Development
Saskatchewan Regional Communications
(308) 780-6977

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

Media Relations
Social Development Canada
(613) 941-1110
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 persons with disabilities to prepare for, obtain, and maintain 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 persons 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 persons with disabilities, providing work experience, and helping people start their own business.

For details, visit the Social Development Canada website or contact your local Human Resource Centre of Canada.

www.sdc.gc.ca

Opportunities Fund — National Project  

Canadian Council for Rehabilitation and Work

Partners for Workplace Inclusion : $750,119

This national Opportunities Fund (OF) project supports persons with disabilities as they gain the necessary skills to compete in the labour market. It provides opportunities to enhance employability and helps educate and provide support to employers.

The Canadian Council for Rehabilitation and Work (CCRW) delivers this project in five regions across Canada. Approximately 250 persons with disabilities have the opportunity to gain the necessary skills to compete in today’s job market and enhance their employability skills, which in turn increases their capacity to obtain meaningful employment.

The CCRW is a network of organizations and individuals providing leadership in programs and services for job seekers with disabilities and businesses committed to equity and inclusion.

Opportunities Fund — Regional Projects

Saskatchewan Abilities Council

Partners in Employment Services: $21,000

This project provides a range of job-readiness preparation and labour market services for 10 persons with disabilities in Swift Current including: client/participant assessments, career action plan development, vocational counselling, vocational evaluation, job placement, maintenance and on-site service supervision/job coaching.

Partners in Employment: $20,565

This project offers supported employment services to 12 persons with disabilities in Moose Jaw. The goal of this project is to increase the participation of persons with disabilities in the labour market.

Service Delivery Strategy 2005-2006: $64,015

This project provides employment services to 15 eligible disabled clients in Yorkton. Employment services include: client assessment and case management services; a wide range of labour attachment services including work experience, job search and life skills; and, in-depth vocational evaluations to five clients. These services enable clients to actively participate in the Yorkton District Labour Market resulting in permanent employment.

Newsask Community Futures Development Corporation

Northeast Supported Employment Program: $49,913

This project assists a minimum of 24 persons with disabilities in northeast Saskatchewan. Participants receive the necessary individualized employment support services to increase their employability skills, economic participation and independence. This support moves them towards or into employment or self-employment.

Multiworks Vocational Training Corp.

Supported Employment Program: $16,762

This project enables approximately 35 persons with intellectual disabilities in North Battleford to develop the skills, knowledge and experience they need to find and maintain a position in the workforce. This project also benefits employers within the community who need employees.

Community Advocates for Employment

Community Advocates for Employment Opportunities Fund Project: $19,000

This project provides employment assistance services for 10 persons with disabilities in Estevan. Participants receive assistance in career decision-making, job search, employment maintenance and skills enhancement. Eligible clients establish individual career goals and develop an action plan to find suitable employment.

Prince Albert and District Community Service Centre

School Transition Planning Phases Two & Three : $89,253

This project helps youth with disabilities prepare for, find and maintain employment through the development of personalized action plans. These action plans will help participants develop informed career decision-making skills, job search techniques and self-advocacy.

Regina Community Clinic

FASD Employment Support Coordinator : $27,175

This project identifies eight persons with disabilities in Regina who show reasonable cause for referral for professional Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) diagnosis. These individuals receive diagnosis and written reports on coping strategies. They participate in a collaborative employment action plan and develop their own support network in the community. The Regina Community Clinic also provides education sessions to increase community capacity and awareness of FASD.