Employment services for people with disabilities.
Access Work Service launches local employment support program
Renfrew, Ontario, 2010 March 03 – Access Work Service (AWS), a temporary employment service for people with disabilities, recently opened its doors in the Renfrew area. The parent company, Links to Health has successfully operated its AWS office in the Barry’s Bay area for the past two years.
“We were encouraged to extend our services to the Renfrew area,” says Links to Health owner Ilda Furtado, “at the suggestion of a caseworker in the local Community Mental Health Services.” An established, integrated, Employment Supports service provider with a proven track, Links to Health specializes in health issues and practices related to employment.
AWS needs the support of area businesses and homeowners. Business people can benefit from hiring people with disabilities, an untapped skilled labor market, and some employers will qualify for subsidies and other incentives. Moreover, homeowners may wish to hire someone for a few hours, days, or on a continuing basis for help with odd jobs such as gardening, housekeeping, opening and closing the cottage, and wood stacking and piling.
AWS promotes and matches employee strengths with employer needs. The service works with a diverse group of clients with physical and mental disabilities who represent a range of compensating strengths and abilities.
“They are often especially ready, willing, and able to make significant contributions in the workplace,” explains AWS Renfrew coordinator Rich Corman. “With supports, disability-related barriers to employment can be addressed to ensure that people with disabilities are included as a valuable resource in the workplace.” In addition to the program coordinator, AWS Renfrew offers access to a staff of three part-time job coaches to help clients succeed in the workplace.
The local office was launched with the backing of the Ontario Disability Support Program, Employment Supports (Ministry of Community and Social Services). The service will also reach out to clients, employers, and homeowners in Cobden, Combermere, Dacre, Douglas, Eganville, and their surrounding areas.
With weekday hours from nine to noon, the new wheelchair-accessible office is located at 180 Plaunt Street, Unit 4, along “The Walk” between Raglan & Plaunt Streets. “In addition to meeting clients at our offices,” says Corman, “our staff can come to homes, workplaces, or businesses to assess needs and fit our services to individual situations.”
To be eligible to become AWS clients, applicants must be 16 years of age or older, Ontario residents, willing and legally able to work in Canada. All AWS clients are automatically covered by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB).
Prospective clients, business people, and homeowners may stop by the office or call Rich Corman at 613-570-0733, email awsrenfrew@linkstohealth.ca.
