Client Success Story Office of Employment Equity for Persons with Disabilities Newsletter

Winter 2011

Volume 33

With great appreciation, I would like to thank the Office of Employment Equity for Persons with Disabilities. Since 2006, they have helped me gain insight into the workforce, learn what an employer likes to know about you and your credentials, and develop the skills required to obtain work. They also provided mock interviews, and gave helpful hints for a good prepared resume, along with an abundance of information to guide you through a successful hunt of your future employment.

I have Multiple Sclerosis (MS), BUT IT DOESN’T HAVE ME, and my journey in life has always been to succeed in my career. My family was a priority for me, but as my daughters grew older, it enabled me to go back to school. The Office guided me all the way and was always there with encouragement to continue on my path.

The Office helped me gain enough confidence to continue in my search for a better education and they helped me put my best foot forward, never allowing any room for negativity. They have helped me grow at a personal level with a higher self esteem, more self confidence, and have instilled in me the belief that with hard work, dedication, commitment, and perseverance, anything is possible.

Thanks to this new confidence, I recently finished a two-year course in Office Administration and Technology at a local college. I received great help with my résumé, went on job interviews with confidence, and gained valuable experience through a wage subsidy placement at the Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment - which was facilitated by the Office.

I’m now employed through the Office’s Career Development Initiative for Agencies, Boards, Commissions and Crown Corporations with the Newfoundland Labrador Liquor Corporation as Administration Support, and I am very happy.

I have nothing but gratitude and respect for all of what the Office of Employment Equity for Persons with Disabilities represents. They truly are there to encourage personal and career growth for people with disabilities. Thank you!

Michelle Squires

The Office would like to welcome Lora Bungay as its new Administrative Assistant. Lora brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in office administration and will certainly be an asset to our team. Welcome aboard Lora!

In April, we will launch our Student Summer Employment Program for 2011. The goal of this program is to place post-secondary students with disabilities in Provincial Government offices during the summer months.

Attention Students!

To be eligible, students must:

• have a disability and be interested in a career with the Public Service • be currently attending a post-secondary educational institution (includes part-time and distance courses) • be returning to school in the Fall.

There is no age limit for this program! Deadline to apply: May 13, 2011.

For more information, contact: Denise Hann-Hicks, Job Development Specialist Tel: 729-2296 / TTY: 729-5441 Toll free: 1-800-950-4414 Email: denisehannhicks@gov.nl.ca

When clients keep their résumé and employment status updated, it allows the staff at the Office of Employment Equity for Persons with Disabilities to better market them to potential employers within the Provincial Government. When this information is not readily available, valuable time and possible job opportunities can be lost.

Please inform the Office whenever there are changes with your employment status, availability to work, contact information, and résumé.

You can also use the online Employment Status Form available on our website at: www.exec.gov.nl.ca/exec/pss/disability_supports

Keep Us Updated!

New Addition to Our Staff

Lora Bungay

Winter 2011

A variety of resource materials and services are available. Staff will work with you to best determine how your specific needs can be met. Services available through the centres include:

• Work search • Résumé writing • Career planning • Entrepreneurship • Workshops on labour market trends

Find a Career Work Centre in Your Area St. John’s & Area (Elizabeth Avenue) Suite 210 Regatta Plaza 80-84 Elizabeth Avenue, St. John’s, NL Telephone: (709) 729-7531

St. John’s & Area (Duckworth Street) 285 Duckworth Street, St. John’s, NL Telephone: (709) 729-7505

Carbonear & Area 17 Industrial Crescent, Carbonear, NL Telephone: (709) 945-3224

Placentia & Area The Business Centre 1116-1120 Main Street, Dunville, NL Telephone: (709) 227-1330

Marystown & Area 3 Mall Street, Marystown, NL Telephone: (709) 279-5534

Clarenville & Area White Dove Building 294 Memorial Drive, Clarenville, NL Telephone: (709) 466-0275 Telephone: (709) 466-0276

Gander & Area Fraser Mall Airport Boulevard, Gander, NL Telephone: 1-888-632-4555

Grand Falls-Windsor & Area 42 Hardy Avenue Grand Falls-Windsor, NL Telephone: (709) 292-4331 Telephone: 1-888-632-4555

Lewisporte & Area 224 Main Street Lewisporte, NL Telephone: 1-888-632-4555

Springdale & Area 142 Little Bay Road Springdale, NL Telephone: (709) 673-2615

Corner Brook & Area 1-3 Union Street, 2nd Floor, Alyward Building Corner Brook, NL Telephone: (709) 637-2601

Stephenville & Area 29 Carolina Avenue Stephenville, NL Telephone: (709) 643-7954

Happy Valley-Goose Bay & Area 163 Hamilton River Road Happy Valley-Goose Bay, NL Telephone: (709) 896-8846 For more information Call 1-800-563-6600 or visit: http://www.lmiworks.nl.ca/CareerWorkCentres

Career Work Centres Career Work Centres are one-stop, community based resource centres with a range of services to help connect job seekers and employers.

5th Floor, West BlockConfederation Building

P.O. Box 8700 St. John’s, NL

A1B 4J6

Telephone: 709-729-5881 Fax: 709-729-5446TTY: 709-729-5441Toll Free: 1-800-950-4414

Winter 2011Next Issue Spring/Summer 2011

ALTERNATE FORMAT AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

A Publication of theOffice of Employment Equity for Persons with Disabilities

Public Service Secretariat

Email: openingdoors@gov.nl.ca

www.exec.gov.nl.ca/exec/pss/disability_supports

Community Partner Spotlight

The ILRC is a community based not-for-profit organization that operationalizes the Independent Living model/philosophy. It is committed to the empowerment and independence of people with disabilities by providing them the tools they need to become self-reliant and to make informed choices and decisions that positively influence the quality of their lives. Through a consumer-controlled cross disability approach to programs and services, the ILRC maintains and upholds the utmost respect for people’s dignity and quality of life.

During the past year, over 35,000 services across the province were delivered through seven programs offered by the ILRC. Through a partnership with the Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, the ILRC offers three exciting programs:

Full Steam Ahead (FSA) A career development program for people with disabilities that operate under the principles of Independent Living and consumer empowerment. Consumers create their own individual programs based on self-identification of their goals and aspirations within a supportive, respectful environment. Looking at returning to school, re-entering the workforce, or starting your own business? The Full Steam Ahead program at the ILRC can help.

Adaptive Technology Program (AT)Offers skill development opportunities to individuals wishing to learn new computer related technology. Through this project, youth with disabilities are employed in their communities and learn skills around accessibility, inclusion and adaptive technology. Interns throughout the province connect with, and learn from, one another via our virtual office. Training is also provided to community organizations, education facilitators, and government agencies that support people with disabilities to achieve their schooling and employment goals.

Independent Living Internship Program (IL Internship) Provides experiential learning and work related skills in various areas throughout the province. Participants gain valuable work experience and skills through placement in community settings, and develop personal skills through the development of a personal career portfolio. During this year-long program, interns develop community networks, host consultations and workshops, and increase valuable technical skills through participation in workshops using our virtual office.

For further information on the ILRC’s programs and services contact:

Independent Living Resource Centre4 Escasoni Place, St. John’s, NL A1A 3R6Phone: (709) 722-4031 / Toll Free: 1-866-722-4031TTY: (709) 722-7998 / Fax: (709) 722-0147 Email: info@ilrc-nl.ca

Independent Living Resource Centre (ILRC)