Resources for Students with Disabilities

Find Opportunities | Students with Disabilities

Gaining experience to complement your studies is a great way to explore your options and build skills for your career. Although having a disability can present barriers to gaining experience beyond the classroom, experience is one of the most powerful things you can do to prepare to launch your career post-graduation. It can also be important in preparing for graduate or professional schools applications.

Discover the numerous ways to gain experience both on and off-campus, such as volunteering, part-time and summer work, internships and the Work-Study program in this section.

If you have concerns about the impact of a disability or medical condition on gaining experience, please make an appointment with a Career Counsellor to co-develop a strategy that will work for you, and supports to achieve your skill and experience building goals.

Wondering what's out there for you? Explore below for ideas and programs specifically for students with disabilities wanting to grow their skills and experience.  

There are many ways to gain valuable experience on and off campus to help you develop professionally and personally; to complement your studies, and to aid in exploring possible careers. If you are a student with a disability and you are concerned about barriers to gaining experience, the career centre can support you in accessing these crucial opportunities so you can get the most out of them. Please make an appointment with a Career Counsellor to discuss any concerns and to develop a plan to help you build valuable career experience and skills outside the classroom. 

Below is a sampling of internship and recruitment programs specifically for persons with disabilities. However, many students are unaware of the tremendous opportunities here on campus open to all students. First, consult this brief list of on-campus opportunities, then scroll down to see the resources and programs specifically for students with disabilities. 

 

Resources for all students

 

Resources for Students with Disabilities

Career Edge

Offers access to meaningful, career-launching paid internships in a wide range of non-regulated fields including Finance, Marketing, Human Resources, Technology, Engineering, Business Operations, Administration and more. Since 1996, Career Edge, a self-sustaining social enterprise, has provided leadership in connecting private, public and not-for-profit businesses with diverse, qualified talent.  

 

DiscoverAbility Network

DiscoverAbility Network is an online platform that matches job seekers with disabilities with employers looking for skilled candidates. The aim is for employers to outreach to this demographic and find, hire and retain talented candidates who happen to have a disability. They have a variety of types of opportunities including internships.

 

Lime Connect

Lime Connect is a global not-for-profit organization that's rebranding disability through achievement. They do that by attracting, preparing and connecting high-potential university students and alumni who happen to have disabilities for internships, The Lime Connect Fellowship Program and full-time careers with their corporate partners - the world's leading corporations. Lime Connect also offers scholarship and leadership-building opportunities for students with disabilities.
 

RBC

RBC has a specific initiative to increase diversity hiring and hire persons with disabilities. Their “Disability Employee Resources Group-REACH” program that allows individuals with different disabilities to connect and network with each other while developing professionally within RBC. They also have partnered with Career Edge to offer internships.

 

TD Canada Trust 

TD Canada Trust embraces diversity and hires people from a wide range of experiences, backgrounds and abilities. TD Canada Trust People with Disabilities

  

BMO Internship 

The BMO Financial Group creates opportunities for students and new grads, and persons with disabilities.   

Ontario Internship Program

Ontario Internship Program provides paid internships across a wide spectrum of fields (Communications, Finance and Economics, Health, and more).  As a government and diversity employer, diverse candidates such as persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. There is now a dedicated stream for applicants with disabilities. 

Other Internships and Coops in the Ontario Public Service

  

The Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP)

The Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP) provides students with learning opportunities through valuable, hands-on work experience. As a government and diversity employer, diverse candidates such as persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.  

 

Federal Internship Program for Canadians with Disabilities

The Federal Internship Program for Canadians with Disabilities is a national program that offers paid internships to Canadians with disabilities. Interns will have the opportunity to develop their work skills and increase their employability.

  

AMI TV Paid Internships for Students with Disabilities

Accessible Media Inc. / AMI Internships  Exciting opportunities await students who have a passion to make a difference every day. AMI will provide a challenging and rewarding experience in the Broadcast industry in a wide variety of technical, business and creative roles.

 

Starting a business can sound like a big deal, but there are a variety of self-employment work styles that can provide flexibility, independence and professional growth opportunities and which do not require significant monetary investments to start. Two examples: the student who starts a business tutoring high school kids in their neighbourhood; the new grad who does freelance graphic design or coding through a freelance website. Many who venture into self-employment start small and grow as they go. 

Many people also have ‘side-gigs’ making and selling a product or managing a web site or blog which brings in advertising revenue while working in a more traditional company structure. Other self-employment opportunities may involve becoming a subcontracted associate, earning through commission sales or growing a clientele with the support of an established business. 

There are a wide variety of non-traditional and entrepreneurial ways to earn money and gain valuable experience which can be good career-building steps for more traditional forms of employment or present a rewarding career path in their own right.      

Self-employment can work well for people with disabilities due to the flexibility and control being one’s own boss can present. That being said, growing a small business can require energy, motivation and the ability to try, fail, learn and try again. Is self-employment for you? Speak to a career counsellor or explore some of the below resources  if you are considering this path. There are many government-sponsored programs to support students and grads with and without disabilities. These resources can help you learn more or get started.

 

Rise Asset Development

Rise Asset Development  is an organization that provides business training and support to young entrepreneurs with mental health and addiction challenges.
 

Business Enterprise Centres

Learn from small business professionals to start or grow your small business. Free business information, resources, business plan reviews, seminars and workshops, and online courses. IDEA Mississauga is a great place to start. ICUBE  is another great resource on campus.

Find a Business Enterprise Centre in another community

 

Job Skills - Build Your Business Program

Job Skills has self-employment support programs for persons with disabilities, funded by Employment Ontario.  

 

The Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities

This program provides funding for organizations and individuals who want to create initiatives to improve employment opportunities and outcomes for persons with disabilities. Got a big idea? Want to start a program or project for people with disabilities? This could be the program for you. Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities

While many employers are required by law to move toward a workforce that reflects the makeup of Canadian society, some progressive companies hire for diversity due to their commitment to the value of social equity and diversity and the competitive advantages it brings. All levels of government and many publicly supported or regulated industries such as financial, educational and healthcare institutions, tend to have strong equity and diversity cultures as required by The Canadian Employment Equity Act .    

The Employment Equity Act is designed to increase employment of four designated groups (women, Aboriginal peoples, persons with disabilities and members of visible minorities) in federally regulated private-sector employers, Crown corporations and other federal organizations.  

Looking for companies and organizations that integrate diversity and inclusion into their business practices? Governments at all levels are a good place to start. Here is a list of federally regulated industries and a list of Crown Corporations that are likely to have positive equity and diversity hiring practices.

For example, Health Canada is a diversity-positive employer with many programs for employees to thrive and grow their careers such as their unique Persons with Disabilities Opportunity Program. Some of these types of programs and initiatives may be good potential employers to consider.  

Here are some other resources to identify diversity employers.   

Canada’s Top 100 Diversity Employers 

Keep in mind that companies and organizations not formally recognized on a diversity list may also be great diversity employers. Conversely, a company’s official statement that they hire for diversity may not translate into positive practices when it comes to hiring and retaining persons with disabilities.   

Doing good company research, and networking with the employer and employees inside the organization can give you important insights into the culture and practices of organizations you are considering applying to.  

Contact the Career Centre for more resources or book an appointment by calling 905-828-5451 to help target your career goals and job search to more progressive employers. 

 

Programs and Resources by Disability

The Career Centre is here to support your career exploration and growth during your degree studies and two years afterward. You can also get help from agencies and programs in the GTA / Peel and Halton Regions that assist persons with disabilities moving forward in careers and employment.

Most of these programs are funded by various levels of government and offer assistance such as job search support, skills training and links to potential employers. These services can complement those of the UTM Career Centre.   

Some of these organization have a focus on a particular type of disability and are listed by type below. Please consult their websites to find out if they can be of benefit in launching your career, if you feel more supports would be useful.  

Scroll down to see what financial and social supports there are for students with disabilities. 

Overview 

Many of the programs below offer services for anyone with a disability or barrier to employment. You may want to use some of these programs in conjunction with UTM Career Centre Services if you are looking for work as a new graduate. There are many such organizations in the GTA, these are just a few.  

There are also services focused on specific types of disabilities in subsequent pages.   

Woodgreen 

Woodgreen assists persons living with disabilities to find and maintain employment and assists employers to recruit qualified candidates to meet their hiring needs.

 DiscoverAbility Network  

The DiscoverAbility online platform matches job seekers with disabilities with employers looking for skilled candidates. The aim is for employers to outreach to this demographic and find, hire and retain talented candidates who happen to have a disability.      

Canada Council on Rehabilitation and Work

Services for Job Seekers helps people with any disability prepare for work, find opportunities, get support for their job search and gain access to positions from employers eager to hire for skills and talents.   

 A more comprehensive directory of all community services in the GTA for people with disabilities in Ontario can be found at this Ontario 211 link.   
 

 

JVS Autism Spectrum Disorder Job Readiness Program  

JVS Employment Program for Autism Spectrum  is a program that offers group workshops, one-to-one counselling, job preparation and job placement and retention to participants on the spectrum. Services include: 

  • Intake and initial assessment 
  • Employment preparation workshops
  • One-to-one employment counselling 
  • Tours, job shadows, resumes, job search 
  • Up to 14-week work experience paid 
  • Job retention supports and workshops

Specialisterne  

An international not-for-profit that seeks to empower people with ASD to find work that takes advantage of their unique perspectives, communication styles and skills.

Specialisterne Canada works with businesses to help them integrate people on the autism spectrum, or with other neurodiversities, into their workforce. We’ve seen first hand how creating a neurodiverse work environment is good for business. A different perspective, alternative communication style, or a passion for detail can be a great asset to any employer, but because of standard recruitment processes and management practices, many face a natural barrier to employment.

Specialisterne Canada matches candidates with ASDs with employer partners.

NimbleND

This organization supports neurodivergent people with career and job search success . It has a blog, events and communication/employment readiness workshops, as well as links to useful resources.

 

Many organizations listed in the section “Programs for all Disabilities” will be suitable for students and graduates with mental health and addictions concerns but the following organizations and programs are dedicated solely to those with mental health and addictions concerns.

Canadian Mental Health Association - Employment Program

This program provides comprehensive employment assistance to individuals living with mental health and addictions challenges. The program focuses on developing competitive job opportunities to assist people in finding and maintaining employment.

STRIDE Employment Connections

STRIDE provides a full range of employment services for youth and adults managing mental health and/or addictions concerns living in Halton and Peel. Services include assessing work readiness, employment planning and job search training. 

Oasis Movement

Oasis Movement helps individuals who have made the decision to be free of drug and alcohol addiction and integrate themselves back into society by providing programs and services designed to help them to stabilize their recovery, overcome personal barriers, educate themselves and join the workforce by finding viable employment.

CMHA List of GTA Resources for Mental Health and Addictions

CMHA has a variety of resources detailing various strategies for individuals living, studying and working with mental health concerns.   

 

JVS  – The Al Green Resource Centre

This program provides job search and employment resources for individuals with learning or developmental disabilities. 

Specialisterne 

An international not-for-profit that seeks to empower people are neurodivergent (includes autism spectrum, ADD/ADHD, and dyslexia/dyscalculia), to find work that takes advantage of their unique perspectives, communication styles and skills.   

Specialisterne Canada works with businesses to help them integrate neurodivergent people into the workforce. We’ve seen firsthand how creating a neurodiverse work environment is good for business. A different perspective, alternative communication style, or a passion for detail can be a great asset to any employer, but because of standard recruitment processes and management practices, many face a natural barrier to employment.   

Specialisterne Canada matches neurodivergent candidates with employer partners.

 

Made by Dislexia

This resource contains information on using dyslexic thinking in the workplace, including tips and tricks for both employees and employers. 

Dyslexia Fonts and Other Strategies

  • A font designed to facilitate easier reading helps someone with dyslexia. Here is a free converter. Font Converter for Dyslexia.
  • Dark Reader can make reading easier by finding the right contrast levels that work for you or reading in 'Dark Mode'
     

ADDitude Magazine 

Excellent online resources on managing ADD / ADHD at work and other contexts. 

How to ADHD

A fun, informative and supportive video channel created by a young person with ADHD. Feeling alone with your ADHD? These videos may help! 

ADHD Coaching

Psychology Today has listings on their search engine of therapists that specialize in ADHD.

The March of Dimes  

March of Dimes Canada has been providing a wide range of services and programs to people with physical disabilities but now works with persons living with any type of disability. They have wrap around supports for their client-centred employment supports program. March of Dimes Employment Services

Financial Help for Mobility Aids 

The Ontario Assistive Devices Program covers part of the costs of mobility devices and other medical aids for people with physical disabilities.

Other Funding Sources for Mobility Aids  

A variety of not for profit organizations and corporations cover part of the costs of mobility devices and the costs of adapting their products for those with mobility disabilities.
 

CNIB 

General resources and information for those living with blindness and vision loss including supports around assistive devices. CNIB Home
CNIB Employment Programs for the GTA Programs include work readiness, professional development workshops, links to prospective employers, mentorships and employer networking sessions.

Canadian Hearing Society 

Employment Services at CHS helps culturally deaf, oral deaf, deafened and hard of hearing individuals find a job, and works with employees and employers to put the right supports in place to for success on the job. Canadian Hearing Society Employment Services

 

This page provides Financial Assistance resources for Post-Secondary Students with Disabilities   

Financial Aid   

 

Assistive Devices 

 

Services and Resources within the University of Toronto   
  • UTM Accessibility Services – Get advice, academic accommodations such as note-taking and extended time for test-taking and peer support, to ensure your academic success at UTM whether you have a temporary or permanent disability  
  • UTM Accessibility Services – Peer Mentor Learning Community – This program is a collaboration between the Robert Gillespie Academic Skills Centre (RGASC) and Accessibility Services. The PMLC Program is a free, non-credit program that aims to help Accessibility students build academic skills and a sense of community. There are four types of events in the PMLC Program: Interactive Workshops, Social Events, Zoom Study Groups, and One-on-One Mentoring. PMLC events are facilitated by Peer Mentors: upper-year undergraduate student volunteers who are highly trained in facilitation and accessibility.
  • University of Toronto Services for Students with a Disability – similar services to those offered at UTM (above) but offered at the St. George Campus for students taking courses there. 

If you have an experience on campus where you feel you’ve been unfairly treated due to your disability either by individuals, groups or by institutional practices, always be assertive and state your perspective calmly stating the behaviours you have observed and using your knowledge of your human rights (See the Know Your Rights section of these pages for more on this topic). Seek support through your allies on campus and take it up directly with the parties involved. Escalate the matter within the University if you do not get a successful resolution using the offices listed below.   

  • University of Toronto Mississauga Equity and Diversity Office – fostering equity, removing a range of barriers and providing support for community members in fulfilling their academic, research and employment goals. Students who have concerns about discrimination or institutional barriers to inclusion and success may contact the office for one-on-one help. 
  • University of Toronto Office of the Ombudsperson  - An independent body providing confidential advice and support around concerns and complaints about fairness and human rights within the University of Toronto’s community of students, staff and faculty. This resource is for use when other avenues of redress have not resolved the issue.  
  • University of Toronto AODA Office  This department is concerned with providing all students, faculty and staff with access to our programs and services as required in the Access for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). They are focused on institutional and structural barriers to access and can be consulted if other avenues to resolve your concern have not been successful. 
  • UTM’s Student Union is also a source of support and advocacy for all students and works toward equity for all students.   

 

Advocacy and Support Outside the University   

NEADS 

National Educational Association of Disabled Students (NEADS), is a consumer-controlled, cross-disability charitable organization with the mandate of supporting full access to education and employment for post-secondary students and graduates with disabilities across Canada.

 

The Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work  

This not for profit advocates for and does policy research and programs to promote and support meaningful and equitable employment of people with disabilities. Canadian Council on Work and Rehabilitation  

 

 

Know Your Rights​ | Students with Disability

No matter what stage you are at in navigating your career, it is important to be aware of your rights under the law. Consult these resources if you have questions about disclosing a disability and asking for accommodations or if you have been treated unfairly because of your disability or any other status or identity. We are here to help you problem-solve any workplace issues if they arise for up to two years after graduation.

Disclosure and Accommodations

These issues are complex and nuanced, and this page is a good place to start thinking about if, when and how to disclose in order to ask for accommodations to support your success. 

Disclosure means explaining the impact of your disability and usually happens because accommodation for that impact is needed. Accommodations are reasonable steps an employer must by law, provide to an employee or candidate with a disability, to meet their needs during the recruitment process or for success on the job.   

The resources in this section will help you make strategic decisions about disclosure. Appointments to discuss your accommodations and disclosure situation are also available through the Career Centre.  

The legal duty to accommodate for disabilities in the workplace is spelled out in the Canadian Human Rights Code and at the provincial level in the Ontario Human Rights Code Duty to Accommodate - Ontario Human Rights Commission   

Requesting Accommodations usually requires disclosing a disability’s impact on the job to the employer but not the medical diagnosis. The decision to disclose, how much to disclose, when and to whom is highly personal and depends on both the candidate or employee and their employment situation. If you are receiving academic accommodations, getting the needed accommodations for success on the job is very similar, but requires you to initiate the conversation advocate for yourself. This may sound daunting, but asserting your legal right to accommodations can be very simple and straight forward. 

Read The Disclosure and Accommodations Guide  to learn more about the pros and cons of disclosure and get tips and develop a plan on disclosure and requesting accommodations. 

Not sure what accommodations would be helpful for you? This website has great information on the types of accommodations suitable for specific disability conditions. Ask JAN - Job Accommodation Network’s Searchable Online Accommodations Resource   

If you are unsure about disclosure decisions and/or how to ask for accommodations, please make an appointment to discuss it with a Career Counsellor.  If you are registered with Accessibility Services, ask your Advisor to refer you to a career pathway appointment with a career counsellor who works with students receiving academic accommodations. 

Introduction  

Whatever the stage of your career planning and development, it is important to be aware of your rights under the law, especially if you believe you are not being treated fairly.   

Below are various links to important legislation pieces and employment standards designed to protect all employees working in Canada. These resources are useful to consult if you feel your disability or any other status or identity, such as culture, race, religion, gender or sexual orientation, has caused you to be discriminated against or treated unfairly. 

Having knowledge of these legal protections can facilitate a discussion with relevant parties such as supervisors, human resources personnel, union reps, equity and diversity officers (if your organization or company has them), professional associations or regulatory bodies, or an ombudspersons. Many issues can be resolved quickly through dialogue and improved communications with the right parties. Sometimes when this does not resolve or improve things, escalation to legal resources is an option to consider.   

Talking about your specific workplace issues with a Career Counsellor at the Career Centre can also be helpful.   

Both Federal and Provincial levels of government register and hear discrimination complaints. You can file a Human Rights complaint at the Canadian Human Rights Commission or with the Ontario Human Rights Commission. See below for the actual codes.   

  

The Canadian Human Rights Charter   

  

The Ontario Human Rights Codes  

Read the full version of the Human Rights Code that outlines in detail what exactly constitutes “discrimination” in Ontario and explains which protections under the law exist for individuals living and working in the province. A simplified version of the Ontario Human Rights Code is also available with a brief list of protected groups and sectors that must abide by the Code accordingly.   

  

The Employment Equity Act  

The purpose of this Federal Act is to ensure equal and fair access to employment opportunities and also upholds the duty to accommodate a person’s disabilities. Employment Equity Act   

  

The Ontario Employment Standards Act  

The Employment Standards Act is an Ontario piece of legislation that protects workers and regulates several key issues pertaining to working in the province including wages, vacation pay, hours of work, leaves of absences, benefits and workplace safety. 

 

The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act  

The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act highlights the standards in which employers, businesses and service providers in the province are to follow when working with persons with disabilities. The Act is designed to remove barriers to participation in all aspects of society for persons with disabilities by the year 2025.    

This series of short videos explain how the Ontario Human Rights Code and the AODA work together to support equity in Ontario.   

To review the Act itself please visit here. More information can be found through AODA Alliance’s (a not-for-profit) website.   

  

Legal Support and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities  

Understanding your legal rights helps you to start an assertive dialogue with employers when you believe you’ve been treated unfairly. Should this approach not address the situation, getting legal opinions and support filing formal complaints may be the next step. Here are some resources for this if it becomes necessary.   

ARCH Disability Law Centre is a speciality community legal aid clinic dedicated to defending and advancing the equality rights of people with disabilities in Ontario. They work with Ontarians with disabilities and the disability community on law reform and policy initiatives, community development, legal advice and referrals, public legal education and litigation. If you have a work or recruitment situation in which you feel your rights as a person or worker have been violated, make an appointment with to discuss it further.   

Downtown Legal Services is both a community legal clinic and a clinical education program, operated by the Faculty of Law at the University of Toronto (and is open to UTM students) with an Employment Law Division   

Human Rights Legal Support Centre offers human rights legal services to individuals throughout Ontario who have experienced discrimination contrary to Ontario's Human Rights Code.   

For more information on your rights as a worker see our tipsheet on Employment Laws.

These resources can provide employers with information and funding to help staff get the accommodations and assistive devices they may need to perform at their best.  Also see the programs and materials to help employers learn more about supporting employees with disabilities and collaboratively solve problems that may arise where disability interacts with the work environment. If your employer needs more information and support around working with employees with disabilities, this is a great place to refer them to.

  

Hire for Talent

Hire for Talent is a Canadian organization seeking to build an inclusive Canadian Workforce by increasing employer awareness of how people with disabilities are a talented part of the workforce. There are many web resources on their site to help employers tap into this talent pool during their search for skilled workers and educate themselves on hiring and retaining persons with disabilities.

  

  

Accessibility and Inclusion Management

A consultation service for employers to identify and implement accommodations and remove workplace barriers from the Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work - AIM (Accommodation and Inclusion Management)

  

Job Accommodation Network - SOAR

JAN's Searchable Online Accommodation Resource (SOAR) system is designed to let users explore various accommodation options for people with disabilities in work and educational settings. Unsure of what accommodations might be appropriate to your employees situation? Check out JAN’s SOAR.

Ask JAN - Job Accommodation Network

 

Assistive Devices

The Ontario Assistive Devices Program may be able to cover part of the cost of some assistive and medical devices that may be needed for an individual’s daily living as well as employment situations.

Also see the section on Financial and Social Supports in these pages under “Assistive Devices”

Mental Health Commission of Canada’s National Standards Ensuring Good Psychological Health and Safety (PH&S) in the workplace.

While not a legal act, the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) has developed a voluntary set of guidelines, tools and resources focused on promoting employees’ psychological health and preventing psychological harm due to workplace factors. This information may be useful in helping employers become more knowledgeable around mental health concerns in the workplace and how to manage them positively.

 https://mentalhealthcommission.ca/workplace-standard/

  

Mental Health Works

This program offered by the Canadian Mental Health Association has resources and training to help employers support their workers who have mental health concerns and reduce the incidence and impact of mental health concerns in the workplace. Mental Health Works

  

Book

Leading Wellbeing: A Leader’s Guide to Mental Health Conversations at Work by: Fleur Heazlewood