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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20240607T103000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20240607T120000
DTSTAMP:20260430T191757
CREATED:20240516T201845Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240516T201845Z
UID:5651-1717756200-1717761600@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:COOPERATIVE ENTERPRENEUR TRAINING PROGRAM
DESCRIPTION:Vancouver Island University’s Co-operative Entrepreneur Training program (CETP) is an online program that delivers the support you need to start and run your own business. CETP supports people with disabilities or other barriers to employment to achieve their business dreams through business planning\, securing funding\, mentorship and building community support. CETP instructor Amy Woermke will present the content\, eligibility\, time\, & cost requirements for this program. \nPlease register to get a Zoom meeting link.
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/cooperative-enterpreneur-training-program
CATEGORIES:Employment
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://squarepegsociety.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/CETP.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20240419T103000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20240419T120000
DTSTAMP:20260430T191757
CREATED:20240402T053553Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240402T073226Z
UID:5433-1713522600-1713528000@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:Connecting to Employment (Part Two)
DESCRIPTION:This second meeting is to connect you to a few more options that could help you find your employment path! \nJump to the next level! \n \nPlease join us & the following speakers!  \nMaegan O’Neill\, Navigator\, Youth & Adult Services\, & Wanda Gibson\, Employment Program Manager\, Canucks Autism Network \nCanuck Autism is a Ready Willing & Able partner\, contracted to deliver this national program in BC. CAN-STEP is a Skills Training Employment Program at Canucks Autism which offers classroom training combined with paid work\, currently in the hospitality industry. \nLonnie Belfer\, WarehouseAbilities Program Manager at Back-In-Motion \nThis 12-week warehouse training program is tailored to industry needs\, and provides skills training and supports to prepare individuals with multiple barriers for sustainable employment. \nPlease register to get the Zoom meeting invitation.
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/connecting-to-employment-part-two
CATEGORIES:Employment
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://squarepegsociety.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Training2.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20240315T103000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20240315T120000
DTSTAMP:20260430T191757
CREATED:20240305T190056Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240508T050519Z
UID:5276-1710498600-1710504000@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:Connecting to Employment
DESCRIPTION:For autistic individuals and their families often it seems that\, either there are no supports to help them bridge the gap to gainful employment\, or the opportunities are so fragmented and dispersed that is hard to know where to look. The purpose of this meeting is to bring a few agencies together for you to consider as a possible fit for you! \nJump to the next level! \n \nPlease join us\, and the following speakers: \nMargaret Flynn\, Coastal Mental Health On employment in the culinary arts \nKat Thorsen\, Intersections Media On employment related to the Film Industry \nJennifer Do\, Open Door Group On employment through WorkBC \nJasmine Marchant\, CAN WIN On a range of employment across Canada \nPlease register to get the Zoom meeting invitation. \nBelow is the recording of this event. \n\n 
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/connecting-to-employment
CATEGORIES:Employment
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://squarepegsociety.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Training2.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20230421T103000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20230421T120000
DTSTAMP:20260430T191757
CREATED:20230404T232428Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230404T232428Z
UID:4030-1682073000-1682078400@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:Skill Building Workshop
DESCRIPTION:Project Spectrum connecting people on the autism spectrum with software to develop 3D design skills and open the door into minds full of pictures. \nSketchUp is one of the most popular 3D modeling and design tools in the world. While many architects\, woodworkers\, and interior designers traditionally use SketchUp\, it has endless assets in the world of Graphic Design. SketchUp an ideal place to start for those who are interested in learning to use a 3D modeling program. \nTrimble is a high-tech company making innovative products that inspire creativity and drive innovation.  Trimble is pleased to offer to the Neurodiverse community a free workshop dedicated to the basics of SketchUp. All you need for this virtual workshop is a computer able to run a browser like Chrome or Firefox. A mouse & microphone is recommended\, but not required. Casey Grothus\, of Project Spectrum\, will be our Guide.
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/skill-building-workshop-2
CATEGORIES:Employment
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://squarepegsociety.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/SketchUP.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20230414T103000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20230414T120000
DTSTAMP:20260430T191757
CREATED:20230404T232411Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230404T232411Z
UID:4024-1681468200-1681473600@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:Skill Building Workshop
DESCRIPTION:Project Spectrum connecting people on the autism spectrum with software to develop 3D design skills and open the door into minds full of pictures. \nSketchUp is one of the most popular 3D modeling and design tools in the world. While many architects\, woodworkers\, and interior designers traditionally use SketchUp\, it has endless assets in the world of Graphic Design. SketchUp an ideal place to start for those who are interested in learning to use a 3D modeling program. \nTrimble is a high-tech company making innovative products that inspire creativity and drive innovation.  Trimble is pleased to offer to the Neurodiverse community a free workshop dedicated to the basics of SketchUp. All you need for this virtual workshop is a computer able to run a browser like Chrome or Firefox. A mouse & microphone is recommended\, but not required. Casey Grothus\, of Project Spectrum\, will be our Guide.
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/skill-building-workshop
CATEGORIES:Employment
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://squarepegsociety.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/SketchUP.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20220923T133000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20220923T153000
DTSTAMP:20260430T191757
CREATED:20220913T190011Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20221012T221314Z
UID:3195-1663939800-1663947000@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:Executive Functioning Skills
DESCRIPTION:Executive Functioning Skills: What are they? And how to make them work for us… \nNicola Schaan\, Occupational Therapist \,  Zach Blumke\, Job Developer\,\, David Settles\,  Project Manager from Autism CanTech! (BC & Alberta) \nWelcome back to our monthly meetings! This month we will be looking at Executive Functioning\, and are pleased to have the following speakers join us: \nNicola Schaan is an Occupational Therapist at Breaking Trail OT\, in Kelowna\, BC. She will speak generally about executive functioning – what it is\, and how it manifests itself in the lives of ASD individuals – creating frustration\, the appearance of “not caring” or “sloppiness”. Her “strengths-based” approach to therapy is focused on enabling individuals to make small\, intentional changes\, to work on goals that are sustainable. \nZach Blumke is a Job Developer for the Autism CanTech! Program at Douglas College\, following his passion to support and work with folks with diverse abilities. He will speak\, from his vantage point as a Job Developer\, on the impact of Executive Functioning challenges\, and how the Autism CanTech! Program addresses and accommodates for these\, to enable learners to be effective in work & life. \nDavid Settles is a Project Manager at Autism CanTech! in Edmonton. He will speak about RoboCoach\, a software program that allows for an employer\, job developer\, support worker\, or guardian to manage or assist with\, remotely\, the management of the tasks of their employee\, participant\, or client\, in a clear way\, that permits all involved parties to see\, and to chat between themselves. \n 
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/executive-functioning-skills
CATEGORIES:Employment,Post-Sec Education
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://squarepegsociety.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/ExecutiveFunctioningSkills.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20220908T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20220908T200000
DTSTAMP:20260430T191757
CREATED:20220829T202542Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220829T202542Z
UID:3155-1662661800-1662667200@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:Accenture Learning Exchange: Skills to Succeed
DESCRIPTION:Square Peg Society has been invited to participate in Accenture’s Learning Exchange venture! In recognition that many individuals experience barriers to employment\, Accenture has developed learning opportunities – pre-recorded courses & workshops covering a range of career development\, technical skills & mental wellness topics.  \nThrough us\, you will be able to access these mini-courses. To learn more\, and to gain access to this program\, join us online\, Thursday\, Sept 8th\, 2022\, 6:30pm PT. \n \n  \n \nPlease respond to three questions in the form below and then click on the submit button. To register for the event please click on “Going” button on the RSVP area. below the form. \nPlease enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.I am most interested in courses/ workshops on (click all that apply): *Career Start & Career DevelopmentDigital LiteracyMental Health/ & Workplace ReadinessOthersIf you select others\, please let us know more about it2) I would prefer to take these courses independently\, in my own time *YesNo3) I would prefer to take these courses with others\, for feedback & idea exchange. *YesNoYour email (not mandatory)WebsiteSubmit  \n 
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/accenture-learning-exchange-skills-to-succeed
CATEGORIES:Employment
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://squarepegsociety.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Accenture.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20220408T103000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20220408T120000
DTSTAMP:20260430T191757
CREATED:20220322T201352Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220426T001013Z
UID:2726-1649413800-1649419200@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:nPower Canada: Employment Training Programs
DESCRIPTION:NPower Canada is now accepting applications for their next intake in May 2022. As well\, they would like to share details with us of their new entry level training – Google UX Design. And finally\, for entry to some programs\, the age limit cap has been removed to include those over 30. Join us to hear all the details! \nNPower Canada programs provide participants with free in-demand digital and professional skills training\, and connects them to new and rewarding career opportunities with some of Canada’s largest employers. Through consultation with a wide range of employers\, NPower Canada’s comprehensive curriculum ensures participants are equipped with the in-demand technical and professional skills most sought after by industry. Prior experience is not required for some programs. Successful graduates from each training program benefit from personal and professional development\, job placement services\, post-hire coaching and support\, and access to corporate mentors and guest speakers. Graduates receive ongoing support and coaching to ensure continued success in their careers. NPower Canada has added a new program\, Google UX Design\, for British Columbia residents. \n  \nhttps://npowercanada.ca/junior-it-analyst-program/ \nhttps://npowercanada.ca/junior-data-analyst-program/ \nhttps://npowercanada.ca/google-ux-design-program/ \n  \nRakesh Bhat\, Manager of Outreach & Community Engagement\, will be presenting an overview of the programs that NPower Canada is offering in BC\, and details about eligibility & application for their next intake in May 2022. \nBelow the recording of this meeting.
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/npower-canada-employment-training-programs-2
CATEGORIES:Employment
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://squarepegsociety.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/NPower_CanadaTagline2.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20220223T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20220223T130000
DTSTAMP:20260430T191757
CREATED:20220209T040113Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220323T193658Z
UID:2525-1645614000-1645621200@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:AUTISM CANTECH Info Session
DESCRIPTION:Autism CanTech! is a federally funded program for autistic youth between 18 and 30 who are work-ready and passionate about  technology.\nJoin Autism CanTech! and have the real College experience and training to become employed in an entry-level tech job. You’ll learn the communication\, employability\, workplace skills needed to maintain your job. Youth on the spectrum will be supported in class and in their work experience at no cost to them or their families. \nBelow the recorded meeting link to SPS YouTube channel.
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/autism-cantech-info-session
CATEGORIES:Employment,Post-Sec Education
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://squarepegsociety.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/AutismCanTech.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20220218T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20220218T173000
DTSTAMP:20260430T191757
CREATED:20220122T210830Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220310T043156Z
UID:2386-1645200000-1645205400@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:Representation of Autism in Film\, Television & Social Media
DESCRIPTION:Fiona McIntyre\, Casting Associate in NYC\, will lead a discussion about current practices in the casting & portrayal of autism & autistic people in film & media. \nMovies/TV shows you might want to check out in advance of the meeting: \n\nLittle Voice\nEverything’s Gonna Be OK\nAtypical\n\nWe will look at how autistic people are portrayed currently\, but we also want to hear your views about the impact of existing stereotypes\, if they can be changed\, and how you would like to be depicted\, to better represent who you are. \nFiona McIntyre (she/her) is an NYC-based casting associate\, podcast host\, and educator\, who has worked regionally\, on tour\, and on television in the US and Canada. She has taught dance\, musical theatre\, acting\, and audition preparation\, is a guest instructor at NYU Tisch’s Stonestreet Studios\, and casts for film\, television\, and commercials. Check out on Broadway Podcast Network – What’s Your Backup Plan? which Fiona co-produced & hosts. \n37 Movies Featuring Autism: \nhttps://www.autism.org/autism-movies/ \nIf you are interested in the recording of this video\, contact us at admin@squarepegsociety.ca
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/representation-of-autism-in-film-television-social-media
CATEGORIES:Advocacy,Employment
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://squarepegsociety.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/MovieFilmAutism.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20211203T103000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20211203T123000
DTSTAMP:20260430T191757
CREATED:20211122T192619Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211208T022649Z
UID:2218-1638527400-1638534600@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:NPower Canada: Employment Training Programs
DESCRIPTION:NPower Canada programs provide participants with free in-demand digital and professional skills training\, and connects them to new and rewarding career opportunities with some of Canada’s largest employers. Through consultation with a wide range of employers\, NPower Canada’s comprehensive curriculum ensures participants are equipped with the in-demand\ntechnical and professional skills most sought after by industry. Prior experience is not required for some programs. Successful graduates from each training program benefit from personal and professional development\, job placement services\, post-hire coaching and support\, and access to corporate mentors and guest speakers. Graduates receive ongoing support and\ncoaching to ensure continued success in their careers. NPower Canada offers programs in British Columbia\, Alberta\, Ontario\, and Nova Scotia. \nJunior IT Analyst Program \n \nJunior Data Analyst Program \n \nAndrew Subryan\, Manager of Outreach & Admissions\, will be presenting an overview of the programs that they are offering in BC\, and details about eligibility & application for their next intake in January 2022. \nSee the event summary in our YouTube channel:
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/npower-canada-employment-training-programs
CATEGORIES:Employment
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://squarepegsociety.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Dec3Meeting.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20211119T103000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20211119T103000
DTSTAMP:20260430T191757
CREATED:20211110T232725Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211125T205934Z
UID:2085-1637317800-1637317800@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:Launch + Skills
DESCRIPTION:Shane Lynch is our second speaker this season from the Sinneave Family Foundation in Calgary. Shane holds a PhD in Special Education\, is a Registered Psychologist\, and the Director of Professional Practice & Education at the Sinneave Family Foundation. \nShane will be presenting Sinneave’s skills coaching program – Launch + Skills (L + S). On their website\,  L + S is described as follows: \n“Launch + Skills is an individualized skills coaching program designed to help autistic individuals who are motivated and ready to pursue goals in Employment\, Education\, or Living Independently in the community. Whether you are a teenager transitioning to adulthood\, or you are already an adult\, L+S was developed as an intensive program to help you learn the skills needed for success.” \nShane will tell us about how the program is delivered\, the coaches employed in the program\, the cost & duration of the program\, and most importantly\, how it benefits young adults transitioning to adult living. \nRegistration is free\, please use below RSVP to register. \n  \nThe video of this event is shown below.
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/launch-skills
CATEGORIES:Employment,Post-Sec Education
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://squarepegsociety.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/LaunchSkills.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20210212T111500
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20210212T120000
DTSTAMP:20260430T191757
CREATED:20211016T190622Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211016T190730Z
UID:1773-1613128500-1613131200@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:Inclusive Employment Internships
DESCRIPTION:We welcomed  Jillian Bradley of Mentorability. \nJillian Bradley is the Co-Director of Employment Initiatives for Inclusion BC. She will be speaking to us about the MentorAbility program. In this program\, job seekers with disabilities are paired with individual mentors in the industry that they would like to work in. \nhttps://inclusionbc.org/our-services/mentorability/
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/1773
CATEGORIES:Employment
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://squarepegsociety.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/MentorAbility.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20210212T103000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20210212T111500
DTSTAMP:20260430T191757
CREATED:20211008T012934Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211016T190941Z
UID:1563-1613125800-1613128500@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:Inclusive Employment Internships
DESCRIPTION:We welcomed Odette Dantzer\, of WorkAble. \n\nOdette Dantzer is the Program Lead for Work-Able\, a 12-month paid internship program that hires recent post-secondary graduates with disabilities. Interns gain public service experience while increasing their personal growth\, skill development\, knowledge\, and confidence. Overall\, since the Work-Able program began in 2015-2016\, there has been a 59 percent retention\nrate in the BC Public Service. \n \nhttps://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/careers-myhr/job-seekers/internship-co-op-opportunities/work-able \nOdette.Dantzer@gov.bc.ca \n\n 
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/inclusive-employment-programs
CATEGORIES:Employment
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://squarepegsociety.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Work-Able.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20210129T133000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20210129T150000
DTSTAMP:20260430T191757
CREATED:20211010T212905Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211016T182402Z
UID:1711-1611927000-1611932400@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:Employment: Inclusive Employment Programs
DESCRIPTION:PosAbilities Employment Service Tammy McEvoy\, & Terrance Mansaray\, Employment Specialists Tammy & Terrance will describe how they advocate for & support individuals with “disversabilities” in finding employment. This includes a complete process of personal discovery\, finding employment\, job coaching and job maintenance. They help people in transitioning to new positions\, in building independence in the workplace\, and they\nmaintain an on-going connection with their clients to help them work through challenges that may arise along the way. \nBack In Motion Rehab Inc. Alissa Villanueva\, Warehousing Program\, Job Coach/Program Coordinator Alissa will speak about Back in Motion’s six week “Skills for Life & Work Program” designed to help individuals with barriers to work find\, secure\, and maintain employment. She will tell us who is eligible for this program\, and what it covers. In addition\, Alissa will present the opportunities and training that Back in Motion has developed for individuals interested in working in the warehousing sector through the “Warehousing Program”. \nTo join this Zoom meeting click on the URL link.
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/employment-inclusive-employment-programs
CATEGORIES:Employment
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://squarepegsociety.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Inclusive-Employment-Programs.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20201127T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20201127T143000
DTSTAMP:20260430T191757
CREATED:20211008T014751Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211014T212204Z
UID:1580-1606482000-1606487400@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:Employment: Getting Past the Barriers
DESCRIPTION:Sarah Armstrong\, Navigator\, Youth and Adult Services\, & Ross MacMillan\, Employer Engagement Specialist\, Canucks Autism Network \, The Ready\, Willing & Able Employment Program \nAnjela Godber\, Employment Works Coordinator\, Pacific Autism Family Network EmploymentWorks Employment Program \nBringing Employers On Board: Barb Kalashnikov\, CCDP\, Employer & Community Coordinator\, & Ken Inaba\, Customized Employment Coordinator\, Burnaby WorkBC \n\nEducating Employers\nEmployer Expectations
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/employment-getting-past-the-barriers
CATEGORIES:Employment
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://squarepegsociety.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Nov2020Meeting.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20201023T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20201023T150000
DTSTAMP:20260430T191757
CREATED:20211008T014923Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211014T205704Z
UID:1582-1603458000-1603465200@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:Inclusive Employment: Employers and ASD Employees Talk About Work
DESCRIPTION:Speaker: Karen D. Bopp\, PhD (she\, her\, hers) Director of Provincial Outreach | Adjunct Professor Centre for Interdisciplinary Research and Collaboration in Autism (CIRCA) UBC Department of Educational Counselling\, Psychology and Special Education (ECPS) \nMany employers would like to be inclusive in their hiring practices\, but feel that they do not know what behaviours to expect from an autistic employee\, and many ASD individuals want to work\, but lack work experience\, or have had unsuccessful employment experiences. \nDr. Karen Bopp is the Provincial Director of Outreach who is leading a BC Training Initiative at the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research and Collaboration in Autism (CIRCA) at UBC: https://circa.educ.ubc.ca/the-circa-training-initiative/. The intent of this\ninitiative is to create interactive on-line training modules on autism and other neurodiversities to help improve inclusion and acceptance in the workplace. This training initiative is unique in that the goal is focused on providing training for employers/managers/ HR professionals to learn how to adjust their practices to better support accept and include autistic\nindividuals in the workplace. An essential component of these modules are the video interviews that highlight the first-hand employment experiences of autistic employees. For more information about this initiative please\ncontact Dr. Bopp directly at:  karen.bopp@ubc.ca <mailto:karen.bopp@ubc.ca>
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/inclusive-employment-employers-and-asd-employees-talk-about-work
CATEGORIES:Employment
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://squarepegsociety.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/octMeeting2020.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20191114
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20191115
DTSTAMP:20260430T191757
CREATED:20191129T080000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211019T042646Z
UID:1170-1573689600-1573775999@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:Square Peg Society Accessibility Legislation Report Back Nov 2019-Feedback
DESCRIPTION: \nSPSAccessibilityLegislationReportBackNov2019-Feedback
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/square-peg-society-accessibility-legislation-report-back-nov-2019-feedback
CATEGORIES:Employment,Housing,Mental Health,Post-Sec Education,SPS Business
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20181129
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20181130
DTSTAMP:20260430T191757
CREATED:20181213T080000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211019T043144Z
UID:1167-1543449600-1543535999@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:Reflections on Independent ASD and Parent Meeting
DESCRIPTION:Thursday November 29\, 2018\,Reflections on Our Meeting\n\n\n\n  \n\n\n\nA small\, but passionate & articulate group of parents gathered to talk about our ASD adult children\, their issues and lives\, and our lives with them\, as we try to guide them to independence.  \n\n\n\n Based upon our 5 key issues:  Post-secondary education\, Employment\, Housing\,Life & Social Skills\, and Mental Health\, I compiled a collection of concerns and examples\, to provide food for thought. We didn’t cover all of the list below\, but we can certainly do this again. (See this list at bottom) \n\n\n\nWe found that\, while everyone could recognize many aspects of the examples provided in their kids’ lives\, ASD is truly a Spectrum. Even within our sector of the ASD population\, the range of personalities and type of issues that they struggle with are huge! Parents are having to meet their kids where they are at\, and are not necessarily able to work on more than one or two issues at a time. Some families are focused on post-secondary education\, realizing that their gifted young adults would never be content working at a “Mac-job”. These families are concerned with the discipline\, organization & healthy living challenges that will be required for success at University. Other families are working through the issues that surround independent housing. For these families\, this might not be the parents’ first choice issue\, but “leaving home” is upper-most in the minds of their young adults\, who are not succeeding in school or employment at the moment. So\,helping them to live safe and healthy lives on their own is still a win on the path to independence. Others feel that\, given that their son or daughter knows and wants a job (for the money\, and a sense of purpose)\, the path to reaching their adult is through employment – and this becomes the families’ focus. The challenge for these families has been in finding customized employment services that will follow the young adult in exploring employment\, leading them to the skills training that they require\, and helping them to integrate into the job\,once employed. Some families have young adults who are quite social with a range of friends\, others have a social group built around a particular niche interest\, and some are painfully lonely\, and feel very isolated from other young adults their age\, leading to dysfunction in other aspects of life\, such as work and school. All families feel that mental health and appropriate employment services that would have helped them have been unavailable or unaffordable or both. \n\n\n\n“Motivation” was a concept that was discussed. Employment and social skills programs require that our adults be“motivated to participate” or “coach-able” or “open-minded”.  The problem for us\, as parents\, is that by the time our adults are in their 20’s (or older)\, they have been criticized\,bullied\, and are often cynical\, at best\, or clinically anxious or depressed. Added to this\, autism inherently implies a certain rigidity and inflexibility of thinking. Furthermore\, being asked to change one’s behavior is hard for anyone.So\, what to do? \n\n\n\nI have seen that our son is motivated by success – tough love is not a concept that works for him. So\, Dr. Bailey’s pearl of wisdom that development\, for our ASD individuals\, is protracted\, means that we need to understand and convey to our young adults that becoming fully independent will take longer than it will for others\, and that this is OK. If we can\, slow things down for them – their entry into full time employment\, the number of post-secondary courses that they take each year\, the number of activities that the take on\, to ensure that they do well\, and are not overcome with anxiety. Can we break goals down into small achievable steps\, so that they can see small gains as wins enroute to a larger goal? Is the first question we ask of post-secondary institution or employer be – can we do this program part-time\, or ease into employment over several months or a year? \n\n\n\nOne family suggested that money maybe the only way to motivate some individuals. If having money in their jeans is a motivator for our kid\, then should we consider paying them to participate in counseling or attending an employment or skills training program\, in the hope that once there\, they will engage and learn the skills being offered? \n\n\n\nFor our really bright kids\, who have a goal that they want to achieve – say\, an engineering\, law degree\, or a particular type of job – say\, medicine or mathematics professor- can we ask for behavioral “proofs”\, tapping into their rationality\, to get them on board? For example\, can we talk to them in a calm moment\, and tell them that for us to be willing to financially support their goal\, they must demonstrate their self-discipline and self-control through certain behaviours\, ie\, by adhering to agreed-upon financial or domestic responsibilities? \n\n\n\nThis week I have been in contact with family friends who have an adult son struggling with addiction. The helplessness that this family feels is not unlike how we feel at times. Here is what the Mom has written to me on the topic of motivation: \n\n\n\n“If there’s one thing I’ve learned about addiction in the past five years it’s that until an addict wants to go clean there is very little others can do…(Our son)… has never stayed with help and support – and he has had access to a lot of it. It’s pretty stunning the number of doctors\, counselors\, support groups etc he as walked away from. We are doing what all addiction counselors tell parents to do – take care of yourselves and don’t let the addiction bring you down…So we go on living and we still find joy and make plans… So many people live with some kind of sorrow in their heart. It’s part of the human experience.” \n\n\n\nI am thinking about building success through working from where our son is at right now\, and to celebrate what he is doing well. We can only work on future goals as long as he feels hopeful about life and is willing to work with us. So\, I am wishing you all insight into yourselves and your kids\, so that you can find some ways to better “motivate”your kids and yourselves in 2019.   \n\n\n\nWishing you and your families all the best over Christmas and in the New Year! \n\n\n\nJoette\, and all of us at Square PegSociety            joetteheuft@gmail.com \n\n\n\nIssues & Stories (Compiled from books and tales told to me) \n\n\n\nFinding My Path After High School: \n\n\n\nBlanca is 23 and single\, living with her parents & brother. She has trouble sleeping – her alarm rings at 7am\,but often she is awake as early as 5am\, even though she goes to sleep at midnight. She has morning classes at University\, where she is studying Marine Biology. As she has a 45 min transit ride to school\, she has to get up\, but feels tired\, anxious and consequently\, often forgets things that she needs for her day. As she packs her bag she has trouble finding things in her very messy room. \n\n\n\nArnold is an 18 year old college freshman\, living in a dorm. He dreads the evenings because his roommates invite their friends in and are noisy. For the most part\, his roommates and their friends ignore him. \n\n\n\nIssues that arise around post-secondary education: \n\n\n\n\nI have trouble managing my time.\nI can’t fall asleep at night\, so stay up late\, then have difficulty getting up in the morning.\nI am always worried about doing well– getting the grades I want\, and getting my assignments done.\nSometimes I feel really overwhelmed\,but would rather fail than get help at the Centre for Students with Disabilities.\nI can’t concentrate at the University because it is too noisy\, the lighting is awful\, it is too hot/cold/smells bad.\nMy profs seem annoyed by the questions that I ask\, and I always seem to end up having conflicts with them.\nI can’t get to know other students –they always seem too busy\, or are already in their own groups.\n\n\n\n\nHenry is 29\,has a BA in English\, but has been unemployed for 6 years. He has been looking for work through online ads. He lives with his father\, who is critical toward him for not having found work. Henry feels pressured about work\, but doesn’t get much done at home alone while his father is at work; they often argue when his Dad gets home. \n\n\n\nMargaret is an endocrinologist and works in a practice with several other physicians. At lunchtime she would prefer to eat alone\, but due to a shortage of office space\,she is forced to use the staff lunch room. She tries to be polite to others also eating there\, but has never felt comfortable making small talk. She is not quite sure what to say and doesn’t enjoy the topics that come up in conversation. She has received feedback from the office manager that she is not well liked by the staff. \n\n\n\nIssues that arise around employment: \n\n\n\n\nI can’t find a job and don’t know where to begin to look.\nI get so overwhelmed with the job search that I avoid looking.\nI get so nervous at job interviews\,that I never get called back.\nSometimes I think the interview went well\, but then don’t hear back from the employer. I don’t understand what went wrong.\nI can only find low-level jobs where I can’t use my talents.\nI can’t concentrate at my workplace because it is too noisy\, the lighting is awful\, it is too hot/cold/smells bad.\nI can’t seem to organize myself/work to be able to get everything done.\nI am anxious about not doing well at my work\, displeasing my supervisor\, or not fitting in with others.\nI am reluctant to ask for help because my supervisor always seems busy\, and/or my supervisor gets annoyed when I ask a lot of questions.\nI get irritated with coworkers\,supervisors\, and/or customers.\n\n\n\n\nLiving Alone & Together \n\n\n\nJake is single\,20\, and living with his parents. He recently dropped out of community college after only two semesters and now works part-time in the dairy department of a grocery store. Recently\, he got his driver’s license\, but is not comfortable driving\, and taking transit to work is complex and time-consuming. His stress over getting to work is at times so great that he calls in sick. He does not want to admit this to his parents\, but his anxiety over driving and transit contributed to his decision to quit college. \n\n\n\nNoel\, 37\, lives in his own apartment and works as a computer programmer. Evenings and weekends are very lonely. \n\n\n\nDan is an information technologist at a hospital. Dan is overweight\, has a family history of heart disease\, and has been told by his doctor that he needs to lose 40 lbs.He has had a girlfriend for about 3 years who also makes occasional comments on his weight. Dan knows that he has poor eating habits but is overwhelmed with the idea of changing his routine. He is not even sure what his first step should be toward organizing a weight-loss plan\, and continues to eat the same poor quality foods\, feeling guilty while doing so. \n\n\n\nIssues that arise around Living with others: \n\n\n\n\nI don’t keep up with laundry\,cleaning\, personal hygiene.\nI don’t get enough alone time\,privacy.\nMy family/roommates have too many guests – I feel uncomfortable having to socialize all the time.\nI argue a lot with my parents/siblings/roommates.\nMy family/roommates get annoyed with my behaviours and habits (eating\, sleeping times\, excessive tidiness\,messiness\, etc).\nI get annoyed with others’ behaviours and habits.\n\n\n\n\nIssues that arise around Living Alone: \n\n\n\n\nIt takes a long time for me to plan& prepare a meal\, so I resort to ordering in or eating out a lot\, which is both expensive and not very healthy.\nI don’t keep up with laundry\,cleaning\, personal hygiene.\nI can’t find the time to exercise/I get obsessed about my diet/exercise routine.\nI am very lonely\, and often don’t talk to anyone other than at work.\nI seem to misplace a lot of things(wallet\, keys\, purse\, etc).\nMy family worries that I will leave the stove on\, or forget to turn off the faucet in the bathroom.\nI have not always lived within my budget; my parents have on several occasions made good on my credit card debt.\n\n\n\n\nFinding Happiness – Relationships \n\n\n\nFred\, 31\, lives alone and works full time at a bank. Friday nights he gets together at a sports bar with a friend that he has had since high school. However\, they often argue– Fred has different opinions about sports from his friend and has been told that he is too aggressive in expressing his views. Sometimes his friend has brought others to join them\, but these people often get frustrated with Fred’s yelling. Even his friend has been threatening to quit their Friday night get-togethers. \n\n\n\nArnold wants to make friends\, but is very shy. He has always tried to “disappear” when around kids his own age\, a habit that protected him from bullies in high school. Now\,as an adult\, he wants to be more sociable\, but doesn’t know how to start conversations\, and even when he thinks of something to say\, he is too scared to try. \n\n\n\nNoel would like to get married and have children\, but has had no success with dating. He is frustrated because he feels that he is doing something wrong in terms of relationships\, but doesn’t know what it is. \n\n\n\nRobert would like to be able to run his own errands\, and to have his own activities\, such as going to the bank\, shopping or joining a gym. However\, in the past he has relied on others to speak for him\, and so doing these things on his own makes him highly anxious. But now he is motivated to become more independent because he does not enjoy hanging out by himself at home most of the time. \n\n\n\nCarla is 34 and married. She enjoys sexual activity\, but finds that being held tight outside of sex\, for long periods of time\, makes her feel claustrophobic. Her husband is affectionate\, and feels hurt when she rejects his hugs\, resulting in arguments between them. She finds herself avoiding contact with him. \n\n\n\nIssues that Arise Around Relationships \n\n\n\n\nI don’t know where to look to find friends.\nI feel my interests won’t interest others my age\, but I don’t want to pretend to be somebody else in order to make friends.\nI don’t know how to join in when it looks like everyone knows each other.\nI don’t know how to turn acquaintances into friends who will want to do something with me on the weekends.\nI have sometimes been told that I sound “nerdy” or like a “know it all”.\nI’m not sure that I can distinguish between a true friends and someone who is using me.\nI feel depressed that I will never have friends or a relationship.\nI don’t know where to meet potential dates\, and don’t feel comfortable in crowed places\, like parties or bars.\nI am too afraid of being rejected to ask someone for a date.\nI am intimidated by social networking sites\, and have tried online dating services\, but never got a date.\nI have begun a few Internet relationships\, but they have all fallen apart after meeting.\nI am embarrassed about being a virgin at my age.\nI doubt that I could trust that another person can accept me as I am; this inhibits me from becoming intimate with anyone.\nI get so upset when my partner is annoyed with me that I freeze and don’t know what to do or say.\nMy partner tells me that I am insensitive.\nMy partner blames all of our problems on ASD\, and it makes me feel guilty.
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/reflections-on-independent-asd-and-parent-meeting
CATEGORIES:Employment,Housing,Life & Social Skills,Mental Health,Post-Sec Education,SPS Business
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20181017
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20181018
DTSTAMP:20260430T191757
CREATED:20181106T080000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211019T042849Z
UID:1166-1539734400-1539820799@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:Autism & Employment Conference
DESCRIPTION:SPS Summaries of ASD\, Employment & Mental Health Oct 2018
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/autism-employment-conference
CATEGORIES:Employment,Mental Health
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20161020
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20161021
DTSTAMP:20260430T191757
CREATED:20170425T070000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211019T044106Z
UID:1154-1476921600-1477007999@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:Meeting: October 20\, 2016  Job Readiness
DESCRIPTION:Panel Discussion:   Kalena Kavenaugh\, Anjela Godber\, Caroline Gatchalian\, Sarah Blackmore  \nEmployment success for people with Asperger’s\, HFA\, or a similar profile\, is dependent on effective preparation and follow up for both employers and employees. Many people with these diagnoses do not qualify for assistance after the age of 19\, yet they are required to compete in a neuro-typical world. Social skills can often trip them up\, particularly if they did not receive treatment or training when they were young. They now need to become prepared to seek and keep employment if they are to fulfill their dreams of acceptance and independence. \nLouvain Chalmers and Joette Heuft organized two speaker panels for this meeting: \nThe first group consisted of people from some of the agencies that run employment programs\, and who are working hard to find solutions to the challenge of job readiness for our family members and other like them: \nKalena Kavenaugh – Manager of PosAbilities Employment Services \nAnjela Godber – Outreach Manager for Ready\, Willing and Able (RWA) \nCaroline Gatchalian – Facilitator for Open Door’s “Jobs in Demand” employment program \nSarah Blackmore – Facilitator for Youth BEAT Employment Program\, run by the YMCA in Vancouver \n  \nThe second group consisted of four of our family members\, willing to speak about their experiences with job readiness\, finding work\, and their aspirations for employment: \nSam Guenther \nAlex Donohue \nAaron Michael \nPeter Wlasenko \n  \nThe First Group:  The Service Providers \n Kalena Kavenaugh\, is a manager at PosAbilities\, an employment agency specializing in working with clients with a disability. Kalena stated that job applicants need to have both the technical skills and soft skills specific to a job. She wanted to know about our family members’ wants and needs in order for PosAbilities to provide good services for job-seekers on the Spectrum. She discussed the job-coaching process as something that is different for each person\, depending on their needs. PosAbilities is a fee for service model. \nAnjela Godber\, of Ready\, Willing\, and Able\, (RWA)\, a federal government pilot project that began in February 2016. This particular RWA program is run under the umbrella of the Pacific Autism Family Network\, and therefore\, its staff has knowledge and experience working with individuals with autism. Anjela outlined their intake process\, which may include completion of their pre-employment program\, Employment Works. EW is a 12 week program\, consisting of 2 ½ hours\, 2 times per week. One session each week is in a classroom\, focused on a particular employment theme. The second session each week is in a workplace. There are six workplace experiences in each 12 week program. Anjela emphasized that employers are unanimous in claiming customer service and flexibility around work hours and job tasks are key assets in employees. Aside from doing good intake\, so that they find the best possible employment “fit” for their clients\, they also work on employee “soft skills” to help to make them “job ready”. As well as working with their clients on the Spectrum\, RWA has a staff member whose full time job is to seek out\, to educate employers about the advantages of hiring ASD individuals\, and to prepare and educate employers about how to support these new employees. \nCaroline Gatchalian\, of Open Door Jobs in Demand\, emphasized that their program focuses on job readiness in particular employment sectors (currently – security\, hospitality\, retail\, construction\, and social services). She talked about the advantages of openness with employers in disclosing the need for accommodation. She explained that this is an opportunity to highlight a job-seeker’s abilities and to explain how accommodations can be made to effectively integrate individuals with disabilities into the workplace. Caroline feels that employers are equally accountable to understand\, and to work with individuals of diverse abilities. \nSarah Blackmore\, of Youth BEAT\, talked about how her program serves people up to 29 years of age. It includes a pre-employment course that includes both hard skills\, and health and wellness components\, including mental wellness. This is a recognition that good mental health is a huge component of “job readiness”\, and that often\, anxiety and depression affect many people on the autism spectrum. The Youth Beat program provides 3rd party support to assist their clients to effectively communicate with employers\, and focuses on equal opportunity and employers. This program is also relatively new\, and\, as such\, is still developing and adjusting to meet the needs of its clients. \n  \nThe Second Group:  SPS Members Experiences in the Workplace \nSam Guenther talked about his experience with the Employment Works Program through Ready\, Willing and Able. He entered the program because he was not satisfied with the work he had been able to find so far. He was surprised by\, and appreciated how “hands-on” the program was. The program included on-the-job-training in a variety of work situations including hotel maintenance\, a recording studio\, and a horse ranch. In the past\, Sam has worked at Garden Works\, Safeway\, and at Stanley Park and Granville Island in security and parking enforcement. He currently works at CanPar\, loading delivery trucks. He has held this job for 2 ½ years. He got his current job through an employment service called Regard Resources. He is now looking for full time work\, a living wage\, and job functions that are less physically demanding. He would also prefer to work day shift rather than nights. He likes working with people. RWA has put some jobs forward to him but the jobs that have been offered to him so far\, have not seemed to him to be an improvement from his current job. \nAlex Donohue is studying part time. He also found his current job through RWA. Currently\, he works a Dietary Aide at Vancouver General Hospital preparing patient meals. His employment status is casual. He would like a regular shift with predictability and permanent status. He prefers not to work early mornings\, because his journey to work by transit early in the day is long\, and requires waking very early. Alex may enter film studies at Capilano University full time\, starting in the spring of 2017. \nAaron Michael participated in employment programs with RWA and BC Win. He is working full time\, in insurance\, and is taking one course at SFU. His previous job was at RGI\, as a travel agent\, booking rewards trips for Avion clients. Aaron has insurance education and credentials\, and he has just been made a permanent full time employee in the insurance department at London Drugs. Aaron likes his work and his manager\, and has settled in well. Initially though\, the job was very demanding\, due to a province-wide effort to implement  a new ICBC computer system\, working under two interim managers\, and staff shortages due to the sudden departure of a co-worker. Nevertheless\, the changes have been managed well by London Drugs\, and learning the new ICBC system together has made Aaron feel part of a team. Aaron also feels that he is learning transferable skills that will benefit him in future jobs. \nPeter Wlasenko discovered 4 years ago\, as a mature adult\, that he has Asperger’s Syndrome. After his diagnosis he participated in the Open Door Program. Peter worked with three specialist employment agencies for two years to find his current job. He discovered that he needed to build a good rapport with the intake worker at the agency; Peter realized that he or she needed to know him very well in order to understand what type of work would best suit him. He found success in VanCity’s Workforce Initiative\, a program designed to find and hire employees with barriers. As part of this program\, Peter’s disability was disclosed at the outset\, in his employment interview. He was therefore\, able to describe the type of work tasks and work environment that will best enable him to feel comfortable and to be successful. For Peter\, the specific work assignment is less important to his success than the workplace colleagues and environment. Peter enjoys feeling part of a team\, working on a common outcome\, and believes that people should feel supported\, stable and not anxious\, in their jobs. Peter’s peers are accepting and inclusive\, and his supervisor is supportive. He sees himself moving forward at VanCity. \nObservations and Questions \n\nThe gift is in identifying what we don’t like\, and turning the negative aspect around to focus on what does work for us. Then go for that.\nManagers who can effectively organize and communicate tasks and how to do them are very helpful.\nManagers can help by identifying a problem as soon as it occurs. It doesn’t help to let a small problem develop into a bigger problem\, especially when the worker does not understand that his or her behavior may be a problem. Being clear and direct is best.\nWhether or not to disclose barriers to supervisor and co-workers is a personal decision. Generally\, those who have disclosed find that this helps\, as they are able to seek the support that they need\, and gain understanding and accommodation.\nThe work team plays an important part in contributing to a worker’s enjoyment of the job and success at work.\nFamilies are important support networks. They know the supported individual’s strengths and weaknesses best\, and are highly motivated to see them succeed. Sometimes the worker doesn’t know\, due to youth or inexperience\, what work they might be able to do\, or are unable to clearly communicate their thoughts and feelings about their job path.\nA good friend can be a mentor. Victor talked about the role his school friend played in helping him to learn communication skills. Now Victor operates the Capability Club\, which offers training in communication skills to children on the Spectrum.\nFinding and keeping relationships is key to being successful in finding and keeping work.\nThere is general concern that agencies will find only entry-level or menial jobs for our family members. Having Asperger’s or HFA does not mean low intellect\, in fact\, ¾ of individuals with ASD have an intellect that is average or above.\nThere is an acknowledged gap in services to job-seekers on the spectrum who have average or above average intelligence. They need work to match their intellectual capacity and technical skills and training.\nSome workers already employed may need some support to be more successful and to keep their current work\, or to advance in their job\, by taking additional training\, or by making it clear that they are willing and able to take on larger roles in their jobs. There is an identified need for support to these people.\n\n  \n  \n 
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/meeting-october-20-2016-job-readiness
CATEGORIES:Employment
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20160616
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20160617
DTSTAMP:20260430T191757
CREATED:20160620T070000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211019T044342Z
UID:1150-1466035200-1466121599@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:Meeting\, June 16\, 2016: Workplace Safety & Employment Standards
DESCRIPTION:Speaker: Matthew Bowcott from WorkSafe BC spoke about his workplace accident and his lessons learned the hard way –  \nThe Matthew Bowcott Story (YouTube) and through a Quiz we explored the Employment Standards Act. For more information about the Act: \nhttps://www.labour.gov.bc.ca/esb/igm/igm-toc.htm \n  \n  \n  \n  \n 
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/social-gathering-saturday-june-25-2016
CATEGORIES:Employment
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20160418
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20160419
DTSTAMP:20260430T191757
CREATED:20160302T080000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211018T233056Z
UID:1144-1460937600-1461023999@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:February 18\, 2016\, Meeting: The Ready\, Willing & Able Employment Initiative
DESCRIPTION:The Ready\, Willing & Able Employment Initiative (RWA)\, in BC\, is being hosted by the Pacific Autism Family Centre and Inclusion BC.  Jenna Christianson-Barker\, is the Director of Adult Programs at Pacific Autism Family Centre; her role within RWA is to oversee the positions of Anjela Godber\, the Autism Outreach Manager\, and Stacey Freeman\, the Regional Autism Manager.  Stacey will be procuring employers and educating them about working with people on the Spectrum\, and Anjela will be interviewing individuals seeking employment and connecting them with the employers through Employment Placement Agencies. The RWA program is being offered in 20 communities across Canada.  In the Metro Vancouver region\, these communities are Vancouver\, the North Shore\, Richmond\, Delta\, Surrey\, Maple Ridge & Langley. \nThis RWA  initiative is a federally funded\, 3 year pilot program formed specifically to address the under-representation in the workplace of people with developmental disabilities.  To participate in this program: \n\nan individual need not be formally diagnosed\, or be a CLBC recipient\, but must self-identify as having permanent impairments that restrict his or her ability to perform daily activities. This could mean a self-diagnosis of ASD\, and/or having recurrent challenges with anxiety or depression.\nRWA participants must be 18 or older\, and be legally entitled to work in Canada.\nindividuals who are working part-time\, but who wish to be working full time\, or who would like to obtain a second part-time job\, are eligible.\n\nFor those just entering the workforce\, Worktopia’s Employment Works program\, a 12 week employment preparation program will be offered through RWA\, beginning in April. \nFrom our perspective at Square Peg Society: \n\nWe hope that this program can help our capable\, young adults to find & keep employment.\nWe want our youth to be well-matched with their prospective employers\, and to be assisted with integration in their jobs.\nWe fully understand that an employee doesn’t start his or her career at management level. However\, we hope that RWA will lead to jobs that our youth can grow in that will provide them a viable living.\nWe want skills/training/education deficits to be identified and the path to obtaining these skills outlined.\nWe want to be part of the dialogue and want to help to make this important employment opportunity succeed for our youth\, for the employers\, and for the program.\n\nJenna commented that\, as RWA is a federal program\, it has a broader reach than existing employment programs\, and therefore can approach larger employers with branches/offices throughout the country. This National and Provincial address distinguishes this program from the approach used by many existing inclusive Employment Agencies. As much as possible RWA attempts to approach employers at the senior level\, to make them aware of the advantages of hiring people on the Spectrum\, and to encourage  them to participate in this employment initiative. The intention is to create awareness of an underutilized workforce\, and hopefully\, to generate a pool of jobs\, rather than a single job at a time. Existing service agencies working on employment for people with disabilities tend to have difficulties finding a sufficient number and range of jobs to meet the demand. \nParticipants in the RWA program will be matched to jobs found through RWA\, but will be placed in those jobs through existing employment placement agencies. This means that\, while Anjela will be interviewing RWA prospective employees\, and Stacey will be seeking out prospective employers\, and matching the two\, the job placement will occur through a placement agency\, such as WorkBC\, Jobs West or PosAbilities. Job coaching\, if needed\, will be provided\, through the employment agency\, with funding from RWA. We were told that the requirement for the job placement to be made through an employment agency is so that there is a record of an individual’s placements. I am unconvinced that this is  the primary motivation for this requirement\, and worry that the rapport and the understanding of an individual’s abilities might be lost in the handing off of the individual to the Employment Placement Agency. Anjela assured us that this will not be the case; that it is her intention to continue to follow up with her interviewees to ensure that they are well-placed and succeeding in their jobs. Apparently\, RWA participants can select the Placement Agency\, if they have worked with a particular agency previously\, or if they feel a given agency has more experience working with ASD individuals. It was also pointed out that the Employment Placement Agency is a vehicle for facilitating the job\, and that an individual is not required to register for any other of the placement agency’s services. \nTwo common drawbacks of many of the jobs presented to ASD individuals through many existing Employment Placement agencies are:1) the prevalence of unskilled entry level jobs\, and\, of the jobs directed to ASD individuals 2)the predominance of technology sector jobs. One of our members encouraged that RWA look beyond these two sectors in seeking employers for the program. \nIt was noted during the meeting that\, within RWA\, disclosure of a disability was a non-issue\, as all participating employers will be prepared to be working with people with a developmental disabilities. For some of our audience\, this is clearly a benefit\, as they feel that their ASD “label” has value\, as it helps “others” to quickly gain a broad understanding of some the typical characteristics common to people on the Spectrum\, making it unnecessary for the individual with ASD to explain how & why they are “different”. For others\, their life experiences with disclosure have resulted in their “differences” being seen as “lesser”\, a hurtful experience for anyone. It is the individual’s right to confine knowledge of his or her diagnosis to their direct employer only\, and that the choice of disclosing to others should be entirely up to them. Stacey\, and RWA are unapologetically approaching employers with the attitude that their prospective employees have strengths and abilities which make them desirable employees\, capable of positively contributing in their jobs. Period. \nSeveral points about succeeding in a workplace were made. For example\, the importance of small adjustments to the workplace environment (noise\, lights\, distractions)\, might be able to be made for certain employees. A clear description of tasks\, and/or the prioritization of tasks presented in written or graphic form\, rather than orally\, is often helpful to ASD individuals. Identifying the hierarchy of command\, or better still\, ensuring that the ASD individual is answerable only to one “boss” is also key. Assigning a mentor in the workplace\, to make explicit\, (rather than\, implicit)\, expectations might also be helpful. \nFor many ASD individuals\, their autistic characteristics are only part of their challenge. Many\, through misunderstanding by others\, struggles in comprehending what is expected of them\, and social exclusion\, suffer from anxiety\, low self-esteem\, and depression\, and require mental health supports\, for which there is no financial aid\, past age 19. As well\, there are gaps in their general life and social skills. In an ideal world\, this supplemental care would flow from employment services\, as employment is the key to a sustainable\, adult existence. Some of our members feel that this vision should be the model to hold on to (see “How to find Work that Works for People with Asperger Syndrome”\, by Gail Hawkins\, director of a specialized Employment Agency in Ontario)\, while others feel that we\, in BC\, are so far from realizing this model\, that\, in order to support our individuals now we must provide these mental health and social supports outside of\, and ancillary to\, employment programs such as RWA. \nThe newly revised RWA has the important goals of connecting ASD individuals with the jobs they need to become independent adults\, and of giving them the skills they need to succeed in their jobs and in developing in their careers. Jenna\, Anjela\, & Stacey are knowledgeable about this population\, and are genuine in their commitment to realize these goals. With good communication between them and the Employment Placement agencies and their job coaches\, we hope to make inroads toward achieving more and better employment for our young adults. As this pilot program is in its infancy\, there will\, no doubt be changes made along the way. We wish them every success!
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/meeting-february-18-2016
CATEGORIES:Employment
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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20150415
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20150416
DTSTAMP:20260430T191757
CREATED:20150430T070000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211025T003542Z
UID:1135-1429056000-1429142399@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:April 30\, 2015 Meeting:  PosAbilities & PEERS
DESCRIPTION:Employment is key to independence and purposefulness for every adult. Yet our young people often falter in job hunting\, or\, if employed\, in the execution of their tasks due to a lack of “soft skills”. For example\, they may not priorize tasks as an employer might wish\, communicate what they don’t understand\, or generally understand how to “fit in”. Consequently\, they may be let go from their jobs\, or sidelined\, or passed over for promotions. \nIn pairing a PEERS presentation with a PosAbilities presentation\, SPS was hoping to find a way that the life skills training offered by PEERS could compliment the job placements offered by PosAbilities. \nPosAbilities provides a broad range of services to persons with developmental disabilities\, employment counselling being one of them. Other areas of service are community inclusion\, home living support\, and behavior consultation. Foye Hatton\, from the Employment arm of PosAbilities presented on their work assisting clients in finding & keeping work. We learned that PosAbilities has a growing roster of companies receptive to employing persons with disabilities; seeking employment at businesses where disclosure of a disability is not an issue\, is obviously\, preferable. The employer will then be more likely to modify either the tasks or the work environment to accommodate the employee and will likely also welcome the job coaching assistance offered by PosAbilities. In the end\, though\, the decision to disclose lies with the individual being served. However\, repairing the relationship with the employer after a problem has occurred\, is more difficult without disclosure at the onset. PosAbilities takes a personal interest in their clients and works to find “a good fit” in their placements. Many of the jobs\, though\, are entry level\, rather than career jobs. This is typical of jobs for young people without much post-secondary education; more work is needed in developing a long-term employment picture for their clients. We also learned that PosAbilities had a “jobs club” to facilitate social interaction & mutual support between their job seekers. This club did not really get off the ground\, though it may be revived at some point in the future. PosAbilities has also initiated a chartered Toastmasters group for their clients to better prepare them to present their ideas and to exchange ideas with others. \nPEERS (Program for the Education & Enrichment of Relational Skills) was developed at UCLA by Dr. Elizabeth Laugeson and Dr. Fred Frankel in 200. PEERS is a manualized\, social skills training intervention. It has a strong evidence base for use with teens & young adults with autism spectrum disorders\, and is also appropriate for people with ADHD\, anxiety & depression. PEERS for Young Adults is a 16 week program for 18-30 year-olds\, who are interested in learning ways to help them make & keep friends\, and to develop romantic relationships. Some of the topics covered are appropriate conversation skills\, how to find common interests and exchange information\, how to use humor\, how to enter & exit conversations\, how to handle rejection\, teasing\, and bullying\, how to be a good host\, how to choose appropriate friends\, how to be a good sport\, how to handle arguments & disagreements\, and dating & etiquette skills. Our two PEERS presenters\, Laurie Campbell and Natalie Haggarty\, are registered PEERS providers\, and both use PEERS principles in their jobs as Special Education teachers in the Lower Mainland. For PEERS to be effective\, the participants have to be motivated to engage in the practice and discussion of concepts raised each session\, and 8-10 participants would be required to run a program for young adults. As no programs are being run on a regular basis\, it would appear that finding the quota of motivated young adults has not been easy. Another drawback is the cost – $1500.00 for each participant; for parents with young mostly unemployed adults\, who might also need additional post-secondary education/training and possibly other support services\, many of whom do not receive disability funding – this may seem like a prohibitive amount. Another concern is follow up – is there any support or reinforcement for the participants after the 16 week program is completed? Finally\, I think that some parents found the PEERS program structure too rigid\, and not responsive to individual differences\, and maybe too focused on making the participants “fit in”\, rather than creating an atmosphere of acceptance. \nIn the end\, while each presentation was interesting\, and the premise that the lack of life & social skills may make or break a job for our young adults is valid\, there seemed to be no will to collaborate by pairing the life skills training of PEERS with the job counselling & job placement work done by PosAbilities. I learned later that the PEERS is offered by the Behavioural Intervention arm of PosAbilities\, though it doesn’t seem to be offered regularly\, or thought of as supporting clients in their relationships at work. \n  \nPosAbilities: www.posabilities.ca             604.291.1902   307 – 3680 Hastings Street\, Vancouver \nPEERS:   Laurie Campbell\, lcampbell@sd40.bc.ca                Natalie Hagarty\, nhararty@gmail.com
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/april-30-2015-meeting-posabilities-peers
LOCATION:PosAbilities\, 307 – 3680 Hastings Street\, Vancouver\, British Columbia\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Employment,Life & Social Skills
ORGANIZER;CN="Laurie Campbell":MAILTO:lcampbell@sd40.bc.ca
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