Work Experience & Pathways to EmployABILITY

Framework for the Work Experience Program

The Work Experience Program at St. Elizabeth CHS serves as an experiential learning program intended for students with special needs who require accommodations to overcome barriers in accessing work experience opportunities by exploring the World of Work through our school Panther Shop, vocational work skills, job readiness, health and safety, transit and pedestrian training skills.

This can potentially lead to the YCDSB Pathways to EmployABILITY Program (PEP) which is an experiential learning program intended for students with special needs who require accommodations to overcome barriers in accessing work experience opportunities. In delivering this program, we are committed to the duty to accommodate all students, with a particular focus on the respect for dignity, individualization, as well as integration and full participation.

Please note: Admission into this program is via application in consultation with the Department Head of Student Services & Work Experience Teacher Ms. Arista and Itinerant Work Experience Teacher (PEP) Mrs. Liberatore.

Framework for the Pathways to EmployABILITY Program (PEP):

The Pathways to EmployABILITY Program (PEP) serves students planning to transition to work after graduation. This experiential learning program offers employment skills training and community work placements.

Ideal student candidates for the PEP are:

at least 16 years old;
typically participating in non-credit
programs;
identified with a Mild Intellectual
Disability (MID), Developmental
Disability (DD) or Autism Spectrum
Disorder (ASD);
interested in full or part time work,
and/or volunteer work, as noted in
their Transition Goals in the IEP; and
willing to learn job readiness skills
and participate in transit training.

PEP Core Beliefs

The following core beliefs with regard to experiential learning, as outlined in the Ontario Ministry of Education, Cooperative Education document will underpin the successful implementation and delivery of the Pathways to EmployABILITY Program (PEP):

Every student has a unique set of strengths, interests, needs, and aspirations.
Every student can benefit from active participation in authentic experiential learning opportunities that are age and developmentally appropriate, culturally responsive, and safe.
Each experiential learning opportunity prepares the student for success in a future experience of greater intensity, sharper focus, and longer duration.

Students with special education needs may require additional support and/or accommodations, as stipulated in their Individual Education Plan (IEP).

PEP Community Placements:

An important consideration in establishing a community connection is recognizing and understanding the diverse needs of all learners. When arranging community connections for students with Special Education needs, Itinerant Work Experience teachers, in collaboration with school level Special Education teachers and parents/guardians, should ensure that the community partner is adequately prepared to support the student’s learning. Specific requirements and accommodations that may be needed to ensure a safe and meaningful work experience must be considered in advance of the experience.

Identifying and Removing Barriers

Barriers to employment may be based on policies, behaviours or perceptions that prevent the full inclusion of those with disabilities. Below are some examples of strategies used to help students overcome barriers to employment:

Servicing students who require accommodations for the workplace.
Ensuring all necessary accommodations are in place at the workplace (e.g., augmentative communication devices, assistive technologies, visual schedule, etc.).
Providing flexibility with work scheduling throughout the day/week (e.g., shortened work day/week, frequent breaks, etc.).
Identifying specific skills required in the Workplace Readiness Checklist.
Delivering Job Readiness Curriculum.
Developing In School Work Experience opportunities to practice workplace skills.
Facilitating transportation arrangements to and from the workplace by providing transit and/or pedestrian training to ensure the student is able to travel safely.
Providing funding for transit as a means to travel to and from the workplace.
Providing adapted Work Experience Health and Safety Modules for students with special needs.
Liaising with Employment Support agencies for people with disabilities during a student’s graduating year.

Building Independence Through Work Experience Transit Training

Transit Training

Transit Visual Schedule & Steps

If you need to be accompanied by a support person, you can apply for a Support Person Assistance Card. The card permits a support person to travel on YRT with the eligible customer (cardholder) at no additional cost.

MyRide Travel Training

Grocery Shopping

YCDSB is committed to addressing the principle of equity and duty to accommodate throughout all aspects of this inclusive experiential learning program, including the PEP curriculum and all related services. As such, PEP was designed with recognition of The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, The Ontario Human Rights Code, Occupational Health and Safety Act, The Education Act, and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. Additionally, PEP adheres to the Ontario Human Rights Commission's recommendations regarding accessibility in schools as outlined in Guidelines on Accessible Education.

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