Newfoundland and Labrador

Programs and Services

The Canada-Newfoundland Employability Assistance for People with Disabilities (EAPD) Agreement provides federal funding to cost share a range of provincially-delivered programs and services that enhance the labour market participation
of working age adults with disabilities, by helping them to prepare for, attain, and
maintain employment.

In Newfoundland and Labrador, the departments of Human Resources and Employment, Health and Community Services, Education, and Executive Council provide EAPD-funded programs and services. A range of programs and services are available to assist persons with disabilities directly through provincial government departments, as well as through third party agencies that receive funding from provincial departments. Interventions to improve the employability of persons with disabilities are provided in response to individual need. As such, interventions - to assist with employment preparation and attachment to the work force, or to address vocational crisis - tend to vary in intensity and duration.

Service Delivery

Human Resources and Employment

Funding provided under the Employment Assistance Program For Persons With Disabilities Program provides for a range of services and programs to assist individuals with disabilities to acquire the skills, experience and supports necessary to successfully prepare for, obtain and maintain employment. Clients are provided with services and supports needed in order to pursue post-secondary education through the Training Services Program. Individuals are provided with the supports necessary to be supported in employment through the Supported Employment Program. Clients with disabilities are provided with access to job search, and on-the-job training through community partners who are provided with Grants to Community Partners.

The Training Services Program provides supports and services to eligible individuals with disabilities who wish to pursue post secondary training or employment as part of a collaboratively developed employment plan with professional staff of the Department of Human Resources and Employment. Benefits and services available include: the provision of financial living allowances during the period of training; transportation costs to attend a post secondary institution; tuition and student fees; text books; disability related supports such as interpreters and/or tutors. In addition, active programs in employment counseling and assessment, employment planning, pre-employment training, skills training, technical aids and other supports assist individuals obtain access to job opportunities and training.

The Supported Employment Program works in partnership with community employment groups to develop employment for people who have a developmental disability. Community agencies work in particular communities to develop jobs for eligible participants. The Supported Employment program provides the necessary support to allow individuals with developmental disabilities to participate in meaningful, integrated employment in the community. Supports available range from orientation and work analysis to full time support from a co-worker to ensure that the required duties of the job are completed to the satisfaction of the employer. The type of employment options which may be supported include: individual supported employment in the labour force; contractual employment; self employment and small business development.

The Department of Human Resources and Employment provides funding to a number of community partners to provide services and supports to eligible individuals with disabilities which are consistent and compatible with the mandate of the Department of Human Resources and Employment and the goals and objectives of the Division of Employment and Career Services. These community partners deliver services which assist individuals with disabilities prepare for, attain or maintain employment. Services included information and referral to appropriate services and programs, assessment, employment and career counseling, skills training, and the provision of technical aids and other enabling supports.

Education

The Department of Education provided funding to post-secondary institutions to support the participation of students with disabilities in education and training programs. Post-secondary institutions offer assessment and training interventions focused on removing disability-related barriers in post-secondary training environments. Students with disabilities are provided support while in training and on job sites. Assistive and adaptive technologies, attendants and tutors may be provided to enable persons with disabilities to participate and complete post-secondary training. These services enhance students' capacity to participate and compete in post-secondary training and in the labour force.

Health and Community Services

The department provided funding to a variety of community agencies to support individuals with disabilities and persons accessing addictions services. Activities included: rehabilitative services to help an individual adapt to a disability; supports to enable adaptation to work environments; assistance with maintaining health, technical aids and housing; providing training, employment preparation and employment counselling; support to find and maintain employment; helping adults access services that would assist with preparation to enter and maintain participation in the labour force; and rehabilitative supports to persons attached to the labour force.

Executive Council

Executive Council delivers the Opening Doors program which provides opportunities for individuals with disabilities to obtain employment within the province's public service. In addition, Opening Doors provides information, advice and training, on issues related to the employment of individuals with disabilities, to directors of human resources, managers, supervisors and executives within the provincial public sector. Opening Doors also operates a Career Resource Centre that provides a wide range of accessible employment assistance services.

The following tables include program results and the total expenditures on programs eligible under the EAPD initiative in 1999-2000 and in 2000-2001, as well as the Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador contributions.

* Some people may be counted more than once as a result of having participated in more than one type of intervention
N/A – Information on this indicator is not available.

Consultation with the Public and People with Disabilities

In order to ensure the input of stakeholders and community representatives in the design and development of EAPD funded services, the province invited stakeholder community organizations affected by EAPD to nominate representatives to sit with provincial and federal government officials. This committee was responsible for developing the Multiyear Program and Expenditure Plan for implementation of the EAPD Agreement. As a part of the information gathering process to guide implementation of EAPD, a public consultation process was carried out by community representatives. The results of this consultation continue to guide and inform the implementation of EAPD in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Provincial Contact

Division of Employment and Career Services
Department of Human Resources and Employment
P.O. Box 8700
St. John's, Newfoundland, A1B 4J6
Tel.: (709) 729-3118
Fax.: (709) 729-0767
E-mail: kobrien@mail.gov.nf.ca
Internet site: www.gov.nf.ca/hre