Many people with disabilities can work and want to work. The Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) Employment Supports Program can help you get ready to return to work and find a job or help start up your own business. Employment supports can help even if you have never worked before, have been out of work for some time, or are in school. Once you start working you can also get assistance to keep your job or to advance your career. If you want to work, you may be able to receive Ontario Disability Support Program Employment Supports.
To be eligible for Employment Supports, you must:
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be 16 years of age or older
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be a resident of Ontario
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be able to work in Canada
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have a disability that is expected to last a year or more
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have a disability that makes it hard for you to find or keep a job
ODSP at Northern Lights Canada
We have been providing service to ODSP clients (formerly VRS) since 1985.
NLC is currently providing ODSP Employment Supports in four geographic regions. This includes the areas of:
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Peterborough, City of Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton, Northcumberland
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Oshawa, and surrounding areas
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Barrie/Orillia and surrounding areas
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York Region including Bradford, Newmarket, and Richmond Hill
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Hamilton/Niagara
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Belleville, Napanee, Picton, and surrounding areas
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Brockville, Perth, Smith Falls
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Kingston (self-employment only)
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Bracebridge, Huntsville, Burks Falls, and surrounding areas
Since 2006 we have secured over 375 jobs for our clients through the ODSP Employment Supports program.
How We Help
At Northern Lights we are committed to working with you towards your employment goals. Our success is built upon connecting you with the right employer and the right work environment.
There are four key steps in providing you with Employment Support services:
Employability Determination
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Working together, you and a Vocational Specialist will review your job goals and identify the steps needed to determine your vocational potential. This may involve a job trial and unpaid work experience, and/or connecting you to other services to help prepare you for employment.
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If you are interested in Self-Employment, this will involve determining if your business idea has potential (market research) and if Self-Employment is right for you.
Employment Action Planning
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Once your employment potential has been determined, you will continue to work with a Vocational Specialist to develop an Action Plan. Your plan will include the necessary steps involved in achieving your employment goal.
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For Self-Employment, this involves development of a business plan. This plan will identify your skill inventory in respect to the skills required to deliver core services and administration of the business and completion of the market research to initially determine the size of market, competition, service delivery requirements, start up capital, inventory and operational requirements, and minor start-up costs.
Job Placement
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Securing the job is the most important step in your Action Plan. Connecting you with employers may involve the help of a Northern Lights Job Developer. Our job developers are familiar with your local labour market and have the expertise to market your skills to employers.
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With Self-Employment, assisting you to achieve your business goals is the most important step. Our Self-Employment Business Planner provides mentorship and guidance regarding the implementation of your business plan so you can achieve your business goal.
Job Retention
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Keeping a job can sometimes be a challenge. Your Northern Lights team is available to work with you and your employer to provide the necessary supports to help you keep your job.
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With Self-Employment, unexpected issues may arise. We provide support for whatever concerns you many have, along with ongoing assistance for income reporting to ODSP Income Support (including loan repayments, reinvestment requests, etc.).
If you would like further information, or want to arrange an Informational Interview with a Vocational Specialist in your area, please call 1-800-361-4642, ext. 212.
Click below to download the online ODSP Employment Supports application form.
