Component: ODSP Employment Supports

Legislation: Ontario Disability Support Program Act, Section 48 (1) or Section 12 of the Ministry of Community and Social Services Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.20

Service Objectives

ODSP employment supports provides assistance to clients with a wide range of disability types and severity, employment barriers and support needs. Some clients will require intensive, high- cost supports or higher levels of support over an extended period of time to become and stay employed. Funding is available for exceptional work-related disability supports for clients who have more complex employment barriers.

Service Description

To be eligible, the person must be 16 years of age or older, a resident of Ontario, legally entitled to work in Canada, and must have a physical or mental impairment which is continuous or recurrent, expected to last more than one year and which presents a substantial barrier to competitive employment.

The person does not have to be in receipt of ODSP income support.

Program/Service Features

Specific Service Provided

Exceptional work-related disability supports can include assistive devices and technical equipment, job specific communication skills training to address disability-related needs (e.g. ASL, Braille, remedial writing for learning disabled, etc.) and, on- the-job supports such as sign language interpreter, intervenor, reader and notetaker services.

Program Goals

To ensure that a range of goods and services are available for clients which help to reduce or eliminate disability-related barriers to employment and assist clients to reach their competitive employment goal.

Ministry Expectations: as per signed contract

Service providers may not charge employment supports applicants/clients for services and supports provided.

Exceptional work-related disability supports funding is expenditure-based. Upon completion or early termination of this contract by either party, all expenditures and unspent funds are subject to reconciliation, and recovery, in accordance with ministry business practices and procedures.

Individual Planning and Goal Setting

Clients and service providers will work together to develop an individualized and appropriate employment plan. The plan will identify the supports required to place and retain the client in employment.

Services will be:

  • Reflective and responsive to individual, family and community strengths and needs
  • Accountable to the individual, family and community
  • Sensitive to the social, linguistic and cultural diversity of families and aboriginal communities, as appropriate
  • Provided by individuals with the appropriate range of skills and abilities necessary to respond effectively to the needs of the clients
  • Based on the individual's assessed needs, preferences and available individual, agency, community and contracted ministry resources

Reporting Requirements

Service providers will submit reports to the ministry using on-line systems or other methods as required. User registration and identity verification will be required.