For folks with disabilities, getting a job can be a real challenge.
Shane Somani spent more than three months this summer looking for work but struggled because of his disability. Somani, who is in the process of being diagnosed with autism and possibly has ADHD and OCD, really wants to find a job.
Somani said it can be hard with his disability, because he wants to disclose it to his employer up front to ensure the job is a good fit for him, but he can't help wondering if his disability plays a part when he doesn't land the job.
“It just feels really rough when you tell an employer that you do have a disability but then after that you don't hear anything,” Somani said.
“It's just been extremely difficult to find work and I don't know if that's because of (the disability).”
According to Statistics Canada, Somani is not alone.
In 2011, the employment rate of Canadians aged 25 to 64 with disabilities was 49 per cent, compared with 79 per cent for Canadians without a disability.
Among Canadians with a disability, 12 per cent reported having been refused a job in the previous five years as a result of their condition, according to a 2011 study. The percentage was 33 per cent among 25- to 34-year-olds with a severe or very severe disability.
Somani said even if he gets an interview, that process can be challenging.
“It's extremely difficult specifically for the interview part, because a lot of folks with autism tend to have issues with communication and stuff. And I know that that was a big issue with me, as I don't like shaking hands," he said.
“It's very intimidating.”
Somani, who is saving up to go to university, said when he is looking for a job he is concerned about dealing with a sensory overload in the workplace from loud noises or having people touch him, which can trigger a bit of a breakdown or paranoia.
Alexia McGuigan, program coordinator for the Strive 4 Work program in St. Albert, said people with disabilities can face challenges when looking for work, like finding an understanding employer who understands their needs.Strive 4 Work is a government-funded program that was developed by the Employabilities Society of Alberta and is focused on providing work skills training to persons with disabilities or people with barriers to employment in the St. Albert area.
McGuigan said the program helps both people with disabilities and employers.
“Here at the program, we assist employers with strategies and supports to help them integrate potential employees with disabilities or eliminate barriers in their workplace,” McGuigan said.
The Strive 4 Work course runs for eight weeks and over that time future employees learn communication skills, how to build a resume, interview skills and computer and stress management skills. People can also attend workshops to obtain certificates such as ProServe Liquor Staff Training, and take courses on first aid, CPR and WHMIS.
After the coursework is completed, participants will go through a 10-week work experience portion, working at places that have partnered with the organization.
McGuigan said it is important for everyone to have work, including people with disabilities, and it has been demonstrated individuals who have graduated from the program as well as through research that working is good for mental health.
McGuigan said each person graduating from the program brings value to the workplace through their values, life experience, knowledge and education.
