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Date: November 28, 2008 Volume # 6 |
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EmployABLE 2008 On Friday November 7th, 2008, Mazemaster / Youth@bilities, The Scarborough Centre for Employment Accessibility and Bloorview Kids Rehab put together the 2nd annual EmployABLE event for young people with disabilities. The event was a great success with over 300 participants in attendance that day. The focus this year was on pre-employment, grooming styles and confidence building for youth. Participants had opportunities to listen to motivational speakers, network with employers, get their resumes reviewed, meet with 20 exhibitors and have the chance to get some grooming advice from the fantastic hairstylists and make-up artists attending the event. The event also featured informative and dynamic presentations by: Chief Commissioner of the Ontario Human Rights Commission, Barbara Hall, President of Cantor Inc, Alan Cantor, CEO of Philthy Mcnastys, Jeff White, President of EQ Communications, James MacNeil, Image Consultant Nyla Hasan , Senior Manger from CIBC, Amal Kandar, President of Meow Films, Gurbeen Bhasin and Consultant, Gael Hannan. Overall, the event was a rewarding experience to all participants including the youth, teachers, parents, speakers, service providers and employers. The event was an opportunity to create an open dialogue about employment and to potentially create a network of resources. For information about EmployABLE 2009 or to find out how you can get involved, contact info@youthabilities.com |
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GOODBYE ALDER: MY PERPECTIVE On Monday, March, 31, 2008, the ALDER(Adult Learning Disabilities Employment Resource) Centre had closed its doors and was instead turned into JVS’s Project Gold location (Which was a program that was jointly done by both JVS and ALDER). Since 1996, ALDER was a place that focused on helping people with learning disabilities(LD) find employment. While some other employment resource centres could help people with LD, they were either limited by age(Some saying only until the client reaches 29 years old), while others didn’t offer the support required to help some people with LD. ALDER was a place that could help any adult, regardless of age, and was a place that had the support to help people with LD find jobs. They had some workers who specialized in helping those with LD. They also had written material for employers who are afraid of hiring a person with LD. I myself joined ALDER back in 2005, to help me find a Computer Technician related job. Before I joined, back in 2004, I wasn’t really sure if I could really do any IT work, because even though I graduated from college with a Computer Technician Diploma in 2003, a part of me was very concern that I couldn’t do it, and that I didn’t have the skills. I tried to get any type of job that I could apply to, with most of them being retail related jobs. But I never go any calls for any interviews. I avoided any IT related jobs because I doubted myself in my computer skills. I had tired one disabilities job agency, but soon realized that it wasn’t the right one for me, especially since it was one that more focus on those with physical disabilities. Before the end of 2004, I filled out the ODSP(Ontario Disability Supports Program) form, and would choose ALDER as my job agency of choice. But at that time, I still wasn’t sure if I could do an IT related job. In early 2005, after some help from my Special Needs Counsellor at college, I started to gain a bit of confidence in believing that I could do a computer technician job. When I finally got the call from ALDER to come in, they first had me do some testing to see how my LD affects me. After the results of my testing, they formulated a course of action that they believe would help me get a job in the Computer Technician field. This included some IT testing to see my computer skills, re-training to refresh what I learned in college, helping me gain my A+ Certification, and having me do a 3 week work trial at a place call Reboot Canada. By Summer 2006, they started to try and find me a paying Computer Technician job. One important obstacle that stood in my way though was trying to get comfortable looking for work online. I was always kind of nervous in looking for work online because I was either too worry that the sites weren’t free, and I just wasn’t comfortable with it. Thanks to the staff ALDER, not only do I now feel comfortable doing online searching, they updated and re-did my resume and cover letter, help me with my reference list, and provided me with various practice interviews, as well as a good number of interviews(Both phone and in person interviews). They also provided me with planners, an electronic Data Organizer which I could use to help me organize my important dates and schedules, as well as helped me create my Job Portfolio, which is probably my most important tool for job interviews and sometimes even job fairs. I had a Job Coach and Job Developers that I would go to meet at ALDER at least once a week(Usually at Job Group Development Sessions, where I would also meet other ALDER clients), to discuss what’s been happening, what job leads we may have found, and any concerns and difficulties I may have had in finding a job. My Job Coach would take me to most of my interviews, and he may sometimes come to them as well if it were one of his contacts. Other times, he would take me to a location so that I could meet one of his contacts or a manager, and hand in my resume. But it wasn’t just a place that could help people with disabilities find jobs. They also had some workshops, presentations, presenters come into talk, and a Monthly Movie Night event, in which both present and past ALDER clients could come in, watch a movie, and eat some snacks and pizza, while also meeting people. They also from time to time had a free clothing drive, in which both present and past ALDER clients could come in and get some free clothing(Most of it good), some of which that could be warn for interviews, on the job, and others for just wearing. Through these events as well as the Job Group Development Sessions, I met some people who were going through similar things I was in there job searches, which made me feel better and not alone. I would also find out about various Job Fairs going on around Toronto as well through ALDER, which were either usually posted on their job boards, e-mails from a ALDER staff(Which would either include attachments on flyers or e-mails from other sources), or from a ALDER staff telling me. When I go to the Job Fairs, I would sometimes pick up a few extra materials for either my Job Coach, or my fellow ALDER clients. In most cases, in my next weekly Group Job Development Session, when we talk in a group, I would bring out some of my Job Fair stuff I brought with me, and point out anything of interest that I found out there. As well, I would go over some of the stuff I brought with me from those job fairs. By learning about these job fairs, I got to sometimes find out more info about some companies, find out about those who are willing to give those with LD a chance as well, and about some other Job Resource Centre locations as well. This would eventually include a place call the Scarborough Centre for Employment Accessibility(SCEA), which to this day, I still go once and a while for their various workshops(Especially those done by Mazemaster), presentations, and job fairs. After reviewing some of my job interviews, my ALDER Job Coach and Developers decided that it might be a good idea to get some customer service skills, because it was an area that seem to be lacking, and which was probably hindering my chances of being hired as a Computer Technician. As well, working in customer service would give me some job experience, and give me a bit of an income. Remembering about a Practice Interview Workshop by Mazemaster I did shortly before Summer 2007(Which I told them about), in which for the role-play, I was trying to apply for a position at a retail store, they decided to try and get me a sales position at this retail store as a way to help me gain some customer service. I would do a month’s worth of non-paid work starting in September 2007 at this retail store, and by mid-October 2007, I would be hired as part of the part-time seasonal staff, where I would learn how to do various sales duties, including helping customers, and working the cash registers. After seasonal was done in early 2008, I would eventually be hired as a Part-Time Employee, which is what I’m currently doing at this time. During this time, I’ve still managed to visit ALDER(Once every 2 weeks during seasonal, and once a week after seasonal), so that they could photocopy my pay slips, while at the same time, I could talk about any difficulties at work, and find out if there were any leads in a Computer Technician position. Needless to say, I was shock to hear back around February 2008 that ALDER would be closing it’s doors in April 2008, and that it would become the JVS(Jewish Vocational Service) Project Gold Location. Because of this, all ALDER clients would now become clients of JVS starting in April 2008, and for me, I was expected to go to a different JVS location than the Project Gold location. Already, my Job Coach was let go before Christmas 2007, and I soon found out that one of the job developers that was helping me would also leave by late February 2008. When March 2008 came, I was given a stand in Job Developer at ALDER, as a way to help ease the transition of ALDER to JVS, while at the same time, still talk to them about any problems at work. Unfortunately, the stand in couldn’t help me with job search nore anything related such as practice interviews and Cold Calling(Which was something that was discussed before my Job Developer left) because that was just the way the stand in contract was. When all of this was going on, it was somewhat hard to continue looking for a Computer Technician job, because a part of me felt that maybe I should wait until the transfer from ALDER to JVS was complete. I still tried to look however, but I will admit that it was difficult. I did manage to go to a few workshops of interest before ALDER changed into JVS: Project Gold. In early April 2008, I received a call and was introduced to the person at JVS who would help me find a Computer Technician position. However, I was in for a surprise when this person told me that we would only contact through either phone or mostly e-mail, and that there would hardly be any in person one-on-one job counselling, if at all. This upset me even more, because I was expecting JVS to provide a similar service like ALDER. While I was sort of aware that JVS may do things different from ALDER, I wasn’t expecting them to do things this drastically different. It just doesn’t seem so motivating to me. While I can look for a Computer Technician job on my own, I would actually prefer some help and support instead of trying on my own. I will try my current JVS job counsellor method for a little while longer, but if it doesn’t seem like anything is happening, I don’t know what I’m going to do. While I hope things will improve with JVS soon, a part of me feels at this time that it won’t, even if I do know that JVS can never be exactly like ALDER. I will sadly miss ALDER for all the support and accommodations I’ve received over the years from them. They also help me boost my confidence, and provided my guidance throughout the years I’ve been with them. I’m sure ALDER will be missed by their pervious and former clients as well. I also feel sad for those with LD, especially those now ready to look for a job or get a new job, because ALDER could have been a good employment centre for them, since it was the only one with a real understanding for those with LD. I want to take this time to thank all the staff who worked at ALDER over the years, especially the years I’ve been there, and for all the support and events they organized. Toronto’s LD community has truly lost an important place and resource with the closing of this special place. |
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Marriage What adult responsibility can you think of that is mind boggling, involves acceptance, responsibility and sometimes will-power to take a risk that you’ve been itching to take for awhile: and that is to be equipped with a healthy attitude, guidance and an understanding of the term effort, which will all help you make a decision that will hopefully last for the rest of your lifetime? I can think of marriage. I have thought about marriage numerous times, especially now that I am involved in my second long-term serious relationship with a fine gentleman. As a female in my mid 20s I feel it’s not my time yet to get married. I would like to mention a couple of examples which have influenced my decision to not yet get married at this point in my life. When I think about my parents’ marriage (they’ve been married for more than 30 years) I can see that my parents love each other, but I also think that their marriage is rich with tolerance. I find it mind boggling when I try to understand why partners feel the need to tolerate each other and the decisions they make in their marriage so the relationship or the union will work. When I look at my brother’s marriage, I think that he’s followed the example that my parents have set with their marriage; in my opinion, my brother’s marriage is rich with love and tolerance. When I observe my parents’ marriage and the choices the two of them have made about how to make their marriage work, it’s not an example I wish to follow in my own pursuit of finding a suitable partner to spend my life with. I think I have the desire to accomplish something of my own first, so I’ll have a financial background to contribute to a marriage. I think I could be happy spending my life with someone who has an agreeable personality that is compatible with mine and is a person who most people will genuinely want to be in the company of. I do look at my current boyfriend of more than two years and see extraordinary qualities in him. Maybe I will spend my life with him: the union could be marriage or a common-law arrangement. Whoever I decide to spend my life with, I hope the experience is an enjoyable adventure. If I am fortunate enough, I will experience magic: falling in love with someone who I can’t peel my eyes away from. |
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Working and “Playing” in the Field of Recreation Nicole Nesson is a 26 year old woman who has Spina Bifida. She works on a part time basis for two organizations; Birchmount Bluffs Neighbourhood Centre (www.bbnc.ca) and Variety Village (www.varietyontario.ca) Nicole’s role as Youth Outreach Worker at Birchmount Bluffs allows her to assist in promoting the social activities/workshops offered to youth with disabilities through the centre. She works there once a week. Nicole enjoys interacting with the youth participants who attend the activities. Working at Variety Village since 2002 in the Outreach Program, Nicole assists in physical education classes for school groups and community groups. She encourages the participants of all abilities to get involved. Nicole also volunteers for Erinoak Kids Treatment Cente in Mississauga (www.erinoak.org ) where she helps out during the summer with the youth baseball league. After completing high school, Nicole enrolled in the Early Childhood Education Program at Sheridan College but found it was not the right program for her. She was interested in working with teens and young adults. Nicole has encountered attitudinal barriers while looking for employment. She found that some of the companies she worked for, placed her in positions that seemed to the employer as “appropriate” for somebody with a disability, such as being a greeter. It seemed that these companies were not interested in having a person with a disability take on other responsibilities such as stocking shelves. When and if Nicole comes across a challenge, physical or otherwise, she retraces her steps, examines the situation and applies what she has learned to the next situation. She has also learned that people’s ignorance towards a person’s disability is “their” issue, not hers. Nicole is a very determined young woman. She doesn’t let anything stand in her way, not even snow. Due to the unreliability of Wheel Trans, Nicole chooses to use the “regular” public transit system. During the winter months, she carries a shovel with her and when she comes across a snow bank that she can’t drive over it in her electric wheelchair, Nicole pulls her shovel and digs a path for herself. Some of Nicole’s future plans include, finding a full time job and moving to Toronto. She currently lives in Mississauga. For those who are interested in having a job in recreation, Nicole’s advise is, “Do your research. Find out all you can about the agency and during the interview, speak about the skills you have and how they can benefit that particular organization.” |
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Special Events Review SIMPLY PEOPLE On July 22nd, I went to Simply People 2008 at Nathan Phillips Square in Downtown Toronto. The event started from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. This event is special for individuals with disabilities.
There were performances including musical guests R & B singer Shel-B, County singer Christina Doyle, Rock band Fire and Black, comedians Nick Reynoldson and Andrea Arruda, DJ Ro and Humorist Libby Thaw. Also there were special guests that included honourable speakers, Daid Miller the Mayor of Toronto, Honourable David C. Onley the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario and Adrian Heaps the Toronto City Councillor. I really enjoy attending this event and I will continue to attend it again next year.
BILLS TORONTO KICK-OFF PARTY On August 13th, before the Buffalo Bills played their pre-season game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at the Rogers Centre, I went to the Bills Toronto kick-off party at Yonge-Dundas Square in Downtown Toronto. The event went from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. There were more than 10,000 fans mostly the Bills Toronto Series fans like myself and others wearing the Pittsburgh Steelers.
There were television stations including City-TV, Rogers Sportsnet, CTV, CBC, CP24, Toronto radio stations and Buffalo television stations there at the event.
There were alumni for the Buffalo Bills greats including Jim Kelly, Steve Christie, Thurman Thomas, Andre Reed and Steve Tasker, Pittsburgh Steelers great Jerome Bettis and the current Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers players.
Also at the party, there was the quarterback challenge, X-Box 360 video game, an entertainment station, Chicken wing-eating contest, playing the field goal challenge by Capitalone and at night there was a musical performance guest, the Canadian group Hedley.
This was the best party because I am a big fan of the Buffalo Bills. I am looking forward to seeing the Buffalo Bills in Toronto in person or on television.
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