Connecting people with disabilities with jobs

Many of us take the ability to work for granted, forgetting that there are people in our community who don’t have this luxury.

Connect Employment Services began in 1990 as a way to find meaningful work for those with intellectual disabilities.

The not-for-profit organization currently helps 185 people find jobs, but their work isn’t finished once employment has been found.

“We do long-term follow up, where we check in with all our clients every week,” explains Lori Watson Sewell, program manager. “We offer ongoing support to people throughout their career, and help them navigate ongoing challenges that they may lack the tools or understanding to deal with on their own.”

Connect Employment was founded by a group of parents whose children have intellectual disabilities.

“They wanted their children to have the same opportunities as everyone else,” says Watson Sewell. “They continue to be a driving force in our agency.”

Depending on their level of ability, each Connect Employment client may complete significant pre-employment work, which could include creating a resumé, learning to understand the labour market, and undertaking job searches. Before working independently, some may participate in work experience, and all have on-site job training assistance once Connect Employment matches them with a suitable employer.

“We represent a group of people who want to work, and who have a lot to offer. They’re an untapped, unrecognized resource,” Watson Sewell says. “There’s a misrepresentation about their ability levels, and we help bridge that gap. We help people get out there in the community, contribute, and realize their dreams and goals.”

Connect Employment takes on 10-30 new people each year. They work with people who have a wide range of intellectual disabilities, including autism and Down’s syndrome, says Watson Sewell.

“The people we work with may face challenges with learning or social skills that can impact their access to employment. They so often face barriers,” says Watson Sewell. “We look at what each person can do versus what they can’t do.”

Working in the community lets people experience life to its fullest. Regardless of the level at which a person can participate, all can benefit from working in a community setting, Watson Sewell explains.

“Obviously people benefit financially, but it opens up a lot of opportunities for life in general. It’s usually a huge benefit for their self-esteem to be recognized as someone who is capable and who can contribute something,” she says. “It provides them with a sense of belonging.”

For Watson Sewell, who has been working with Connect Employment for 15 years, the most rewarding part of her job is seeing the impact on her clients.

“I ran into one of my clients on the bus one day. I was going to work, and he was going to work,” she recalls. “We were chatting about our upcoming plans — it was the most commonplace conversation you could have, but everything he was doing was related to him being out in the community working. It lets me see how important the things the rest of us take for granted really are. It’s the simple things that mean the most.”

For more information on Connect Employment Services, please visit www.connectemployment.ca