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Why Ontarians with developmental disabilities still face employment barriers
Though strides have been made for people who have an intellectual or developmental disability in achieving inclusion and meaningful roles in the community, we still have work to do as a society and a country. One area, in particular, that needs improvement is access to employment. It is difficult for anyone to be fully independent without having their own source of income to support themselves.
The employment rate for people who have disabilities is a third of the rate for people without a disability, at just under 25%. Even those who do have jobs can often only find part-time work and earn almost 45% less than those without disabilities.
Most of us wonder why there is still such a discrepancy, and an article written by Kevin Spurgaitis for TVO shed light on several reasons that could be contributing to this: provincial income-support programs that penalize recipients for earning more than a specific amount, employment services that keep people underpaid and separated from the mainstream workforce, and negative perceptions from employers or the general community.
“There’s been a lot of progress made in terms of the status of people with disabilities, certainly, from a legislative and social perspective,” states Chris Beesley, CEO of Community Living Ontario, in the article. “And yet, if you look at someone with a disability, the social perspective remains that there’s something wrong with that person. They’re not seen as productive; they’re not seen as having value and having a contribution to make.”
But when they’re viewed as employees, Beesley says, they’re “cast in a much more positive light.”
Though some systemic changes have been made, where we can all push for change is by challenging the false perceptions that are unfairly placed on people who have an intellectual disability.
As stated above, a significant barrier to an inclusive workforce is employers’ attitudes and assumptions about people who have disabilities. Overcoming this obstacle often involves educating employers as well as supporting people in their job search. Agencies and employment service providers within the developmental services sector often provide what is needed to fill the gap from both ends.
“A lot of the time, it is just working with employers to help them understand that it may look a little bit different than how they typically recruit, onboard, and [train] someone,” says Jackie Moore, a labour-market consultant for Community Living Ontario and Ready, Willing & Able.
She advises employers to communicate more, make accommodations when necessary, and be more flexible in general.
“Together, we will try to work around whatever may present a barrier and find a way that will set someone up best for success,” she adds.
Julie Timmermans, a 31-year-old woman from Strathroy who is a Dining Support Worker at Sprucedale Care Centre, appreciates her job because of what it provides for her. She enjoys the routine, interacting with her coworkers and the residents, and that she is fairly paid for her work.
“I feel very lucky to be working at this job,” Timmermans says. “I have a friend with Down Syndrome who’s having a hard time finding a job right now.”
Along with her other commitments like volunteering in her community and enjoying time with her loved ones, plays a big part in how she’s chosen to shape her life.
“I’m doing very well now, and I’m kind of good where everything is,” she concludes. “And there is this one other thing I could say about myself: I’m very proud.”
This story was summarized from Kevin Spurgaitis’ article. Click here to read it.
Marwa Osman, Community Living Ontario
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Re:Action4Inclusion’s Leadership Summit reaches 10-year milestone
Last weekend, close to 200 people came together to participate in and celebrate the 10th anniversary of Re:Action4Inclusion’s youth leadership summit in King City.
Over the years, Community Living Ontario has reached over 50,000 youth through this initiative, and the momentum continues to grow. An important key to our success has been the support of our local membership! We could not have done this without you!
A huge thank you goes out to the 28 local associations, whom sponsored and supported youth to attend. There was representation from 38 schools from across the province. Additionally, we have many others who work behind the scenes engaging youth, families, and educators to support the youth of this movement. This support and partnership are what ground youth in their advocacy efforts for inclusion.
Words don’t seem enough to show my appreciation and gratitude to this year’s Youth Advisory group and to the alumni (youth who initially became involved while in high school, and still remain active as young adults). I have been so privileged to be part of your work to build more inclusive communities, and I have been humbled by hearing all of you speak so boldly of your truths and your commitment to one another. Your collective efforts are challenging societal bias, which creates barriers for people who have an intellectual disability to live their own truth as valued and contributing citizens of their communities.
There were great conversations and collaboration among this diverse group, all of whom share the common goal to foster welcoming and inclusive communities. These community builders know very well that this is not an agenda solely among those of us in the disability sector. This is an agenda of our community members and thus requires relationship building and community organizing that models inclusion.
We aim to bring awareness and education to youth and their allies on the issues and barriers which exclude people. Additionally, we strive to bring attention to various approaches (based on pity or charity) that claim to promote inclusion, which actually causes further harm.
The event was a huge success, and there was a lot to learn from one another. I urge you to stay connected to Re:Action4Inclusion. We are eager to support your work with youth in your communities. Resources have been developed that can offer you support. Check out our workshops, curriculum, and toolkit by visiting our website!
Linda White, Community Living Ontario
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LiveWorkPlay stresses facilitating housing outcomes, partnerships at national housing congress
The Canadian Housing and Renewal Association’s 51st National Congress on Housing and Homelessness drew a record 750 delegates to the Victoria Conference Centre from April 2nd to the 4th. The association has more than 300 member organizations in every province and territory of the country.
Although attendees were drawn mainly from those who work and volunteer in the social, non-profit and affordable housing sector, also present were representatives from municipalities, businesses, all 13 provincial and territorial housing departments, service and support agencies, individuals, students, and other housing-related associations and networks.
There are now a handful of developmental services agencies that have joined the Canadian Housing and Renewal Association, and this includes LiveWorkPlay, a Community Living Ontario member from Ottawa.
At their 2017 AGM, the LiveWorkPlay Board of Directors formalized their Vision 2020 Strategic Directions, with one of the five pillars dedicated to Sustainable and Mutually Beneficial Partnerships. In the LiveWorkPlay 2018 Annual Report, the organization explained the rationale behind the decision to join not only CHRA, but also the Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association and the Alliance to End
Homelessness.
“LiveWorkPlay does not own any properties, so we are focused on facilitating housing outcomes for the people we support,” says LiveWorkPlay Co-Leader Keenan Wellar, who attended the National Congress along with colleague Julie Kingstone.
“Three CHRA members – Centretown Citizens Ottawa Corporation, Nepean Housing, and Multifaith Housing Initiative – are all nonprofit housing providers that are home to many people with intellectual disabilities, autistic persons, and individuals with a dual diagnosis. They have all taken steps to welcome and include people we support, and we are
in turn committed to learning more about how we can join them in advocating for the expansion of affordable housing solutions that welcome and champion diversity and inclusion.”
On the final afternoon of the conference, Julie and Keenan presented LiveWorkPlay’s Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services Housing Task Force project Just Enough Support – Living at the Haven in Barrhaven, which features a partnership with Multifaith Housing to include seven people with intellectual disabilities in their award-winning affordable housing development. The presentation was aided by clips of the Just Enough Support video series, which now has over 25,000 views on Facebook alone, and has been utilized as a training tool by agencies from near and far, most recently by Community Living Atikokan.
“We all know the future of developmental services is to focus on support, not bricks and mortar,” says Julie. “The good news is that we don’t actually need to go off in search of ‘models’ of how to do this. There are hundreds of housing providers that have already – or are in the process – of learning how to support people with intellectual disabilities. They are actively looking for opportunities to work in partnership with support organizations to make it happen.”
Much of the conference buzz was focused on the National Housing Strategy, which the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation is leading and will deliver by scoring and prioritizing applications, administering funding, and managing borrowing and appropriations. The strategy includes the requirement for “at least 2,400 new affordable units created for people with developmental disabilities.”
While this is certainly welcome news, LiveWorkPlay has joined with dozens of local, provincial, and national organizations (including the Canadian Association for Community Living and People First of Canada) in calling for safeguards to reject National Housing Strategy proposals that would result in the unnatural congregation of people with disabilities.
“CHRA organized special one-on-one sessions with members of the CHMC Affordable Housing Specialist team, and we took up this opportunity and didn’t mince words,” says Keenan. “This entire conference features leaders in the field of affordable housing with a consistent theme of ensuring that affordable housing is not some sort of ‘special place for special people’. It will be a real human tragedy if the National Housing Strategy invests taxpayer dollars in projects that deliver outdated models of any kind that congregate and segregate people with intellectual disabilities. As we head back home from this amazing experience, one can only hope that the prevailing spirit of the CHRA Congress and the combined
efforts of housing providers and service agencies will move the needle on this issue.”
Story submitted by Keenan Wellar, LiveWorkPlay
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Community Living Day at the Legislature slated for May 6th
Members and friends of Community Living will be descending on Queen’s Park once again in May to mark the achievements in making Ontario a more inclusive province.
Community Living Day at the Legislature takes place on Monday, May 6th. Community Living Ontario and Community Living Toronto are inviting member associations, community partners and friends to join them.
The day’s main event is the lunch reception at noon in rooms 228 and 230 of the main legislature building. Guests will be joined by Members of Provincial Parliament.
Participants are then invited to attend the afternoon legislative session in the House, where the work of Community Living will be recognized by MPPs.
Associations are also encouraged to pursue meetings with their local MPPs while visiting the legislature to discuss what is happening in their respective communities with regard to the inclusion of people who have an intellectual disability.
There is no cost to attend the event. However, for security reasons, visitors’ names must be submitted in advance.
To register, contact Terri Meshwork at 416-447-4348, ext. 228 or by email at terri@communitylivingontario.ca by Friday, April 26th, 2019.
Please include the attendees’ names, local association, and whether wheelchair access to the legislature is required.
On Monday, May 6th, Community Living Toronto will also be hosting an online campaign called I Took a Break for Community Living.
Stop by the reception area during Day at the Legislature, grab a KitKat bar from Community Living Toronto, and present it to your MPP during your visit. Remember to snap a photo too.
Not heading to Queen's Park? To participate you will need to purchase a KitKat Bar, and then download the wrapper, print it, and then tape it around your KitKit bar. Then on Monday, May 6th, you’re invited you to “Take A Break” with Community Living Toronto, snap a selfie with your KitKat and post it on social media (Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook) using the hashtag #ITookABreak19.
You can also follow Community Living Toronto at @CLToronto. Further instructions are provided on the bar wrapper. Download the wrapper by clicking here.
We look forward to seeing your social media posts on May 6th.
Update Friday Staff
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Iconic buildings across Ontario set to become symbols of inclusion on May 3rd
Towns and cities across Ontario will be a little brighter on the evening of May 3rd, 2019. That’s because buildings and structures in communities across the province will be illuminated in blue and green as part of the fourth annual Shine a Light on Community Living campaign.
The nighttime spectacle, which includes the lighting of the CN Tower, is one of many events taking place in support of Community Living Month that will foster awareness around the importance of inclusion in the community for people who have an intellectual disability and their families.
The administration buildings for many of Community Living Ontario’s member organizations will cast blue and green shadows on May 3rd. Previously, the Toronto sign in Nathan Phillips Square, City Hall in Kingston, and Fort Erie’s Peace Bridge have been illuminated in support of Community Living, as well as many municipal offices, banks, and restaurants across Ontario.
“By having these well-recognized structures illuminated in Community Living’s colours,” said Chris Beesley, Chief Executive Officer of Community Living Ontario, “we are raising awareness and demonstrating what’s possible for people who have an intellectual disability and their families while bringing everyone together.”
The CN Tower illumination will begin at sunset, however, the lighting won’t become fully visible until the sky darkens sufficiently approximately 30 minutes later. As it does every night, a standard light show will run for eight minutes at the top of every hour. The lighting will conclude at sunrise.
Friends of Community Living are encouraged to participate in the campaign by posting their photos to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other social media channels using the hashtag #shinealightonCL.
Ron Laroche, Community Living Ontario
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Government to consult with families regarding autism
The Ontario government announced this week that they will be engaging with parents of children who have autism regarding changes to the Ontario Autism Program.
Starting in May, the province will be consulting with the public to better understand how they can improve support for children and youth who have autism. Consultations will be done through online surveys and telephone town halls.
In addition to the consultations, a new advisory panel made up of parents with lived experience, adults who have autism, and experts from a range of disciplines will be formed. The panel will review results of the surveys and town halls and then put forward advice later this summer on a new needs assessment process along with an approach to providing support through Childhood Budgets, one that is responsive to a child’s abilities and needs to improve their long-term outcomes.
Autism Ontario has been asked to assist the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services with the survey. The organization will review the results and monitor how the data is shared with the ministry as well as with the advisory panel.
"Supporting children with autism spectrum disorder is very important to our government," said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Long-Term Care.
"Through these consultations, we want to hear about how we can better integrate health and social supports to meet the needs of children with autism and their families. It shouldn't be up to the family to navigate the various government services available to support their child - it should be up to the government to put the child at the centre."
Marwa Osman, Community Living Ontario
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Community Living Mississauga raises over $916, 000
Community Living Mississauga held their 35th Annual Tribute Dinner on Thursday, March 28th to honour Mr. Joseph S. Mancinelli.
The event had over 1800 attendees and raised a record amount of more than $916,000.
The evening, filled with music and memories, recognized the impact Mr. Mancinelli’s philanthropic work has made in creating inclusive communities where everyone feels welcome.
The proceeds raised will benefit programs which support children, teens and youth who have an intellectual disability to participate in community-based programs as well as supporting people to participate in community-based recreational, leisure and volunteer opportunities.
Over the past 35 years, the money raised through the Tribute Dinners have supported thousands of people to be an active part of their community.
Congratulations to Community Living Mississauga on a successful event!
Story from Community Living Mississauga
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IKEA aims to improve accessibility
IKEA in Israel has developed a project with two disability rights organizations, Milbat and Access Israel, to make furniture better for people with disabilities.
The project, called ThisAbles, involves low-tech add-ons that allow customers to make IKEA items more accessible and compiled a list of dozens of products that can accommodate people who have a range of disabilities.
The team reviewed and pin-pointed over 130 pieces of furniture and household items that are already suited for people with varying needs. The add-ons latch onto items such us beds, shelves, shower curtains, and sofas. They range from hooks to hold a cane to handles that allow someone to open their drawers if they have limited mobility in their fingers or hands.
IKEA in Israel has the 13 add-ons in their stores, but shoppers worldwide can access a 3D-printable download of the tools that the IKEA team has designed. The project has set up a website where you can find the compiled list of accessible items, along with the downloads of the add-ons, and to learn more about the project itself through a video they put together.
Although 3D-printing is not something most have access to normally, some public libraries in Ontario have 3D printers and are available to members of the library. Cities and towns that have them include Guelph, Toronto, Sault Ste. Marie, Welland, Chatham-Kent, and numerous others.
For people who may be interested in learning more, visit the ThisAbles website.
Marwa Osman, Community Living Ontario
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