SPHERESupport for People with a Handicap Exploring the Road to Employment

Including People Through Employment, One Person at a time

Annual Report 2018-2019www.sphere-qc.ca

Join us on Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube and Twitter.Funded by the Government of Canada under the Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities and the

Skills Link program, a component of the Youth Employment Strategy (YES)

WORD FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR................................................................................................5

BOARD OF DIRECTORS........................................................................................................................... 6

MISSION, VISION, MEANS...................................................................................................................... 7

Mission......................................................................................................................................................7Vision.........................................................................................................................................................7Means........................................................................................................................................................7

GUIDING PRINCIPLES............................................................................................................................. 8

SPHERE TEAM IS PROACTIVE AT FINDING AND IMPLEMENTING IDEAS AND PARTNERSHIPS THAT WILL FOSTER NEW JOB INTEGRATION MODELS..............................................................................................8

TEAM.................................................................................................................................................... 8

ACTIVITIES – EMPLOYERS....................................................................................................................... 9

In response to the labour force shortage: “Connect, Coach and Match!”.................................................9Ready to Listen: Participating Actively in Employer Groups at the Local Level........................................12Hire for Talent!........................................................................................................................................13

ACTIVITIES – PUBLIC RELATIONS.......................................................................................................... 15

In Brief – Activities (Public Relations).......................................................................................................15

MARIE-PIER’S TESTIMONY................................................................................................................... 16

ACTIVITIES – PARTNERS....................................................................................................................... 17

A Campaign to Say “Thanks!” for Christmas... and year-round!...............................................................17Co-organization of the 24th National Supported Employment Conference in Montréal.........................17Memberships and Consultation Activities................................................................................................18In Brief – Activities (Partners – Connect).................................................................................................19In Brief – Activities (Partners – Making Our Services Accessible, Going to Meet Our Partners and Maintaining Continuous Learning)...........................................................................................................20In Brief – Activities (Partners – Recognition of the Work of Our Partners)..............................................21

SUCCESS STORIES................................................................................................................................. 22

The Results of a Beneficial Collaboration.................................................................................................22

ACTIVITIES – DEVELOPING NICHES....................................................................................................... 23

Training Project in Collaboration with Cree Human Resources Development (CHRD).............................23Entrepreneurship Support for People with Disabilities............................................................................23Personalized Support...............................................................................................................................23

SUCCESS STORIES................................................................................................................................. 25

Entrepreneurship Support for People with Disabilities............................................................................25Personalized Support...............................................................................................................................27Professional Coaching, Game-Changing Additional Support....................................................................28

SPHERE ON THE WEB........................................................................................................................... 29

A Website in Motion................................................................................................................................29WORK & Abilities.....................................................................................................................................29

OUR CLIENTELE.................................................................................................................................... 30

Clientele According to the Age Group......................................................................................................30Clientele According the Type of Condition...............................................................................................30Clientele According to the Level of Education..........................................................................................30

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Clientele According to End Date of Last Job.............................................................................................30

RESULTS.............................................................................................................................................. 31

Financial Statement for the year ending March 31, 2019........................................................................31Assistance to Participants by Budget Items.............................................................................................32Related Contributions (for information)..................................................................................................32Results after being supported by SPHERE................................................................................................33Distribution by Employment Type...........................................................................................................33

A MOM’S TESTIMONY.......................................................................................................................... 34

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Word from the Chairman

As the Chairman of SPHERE from the beginning almost 15 years ago, I am particularly proud to see every year in the detailed annual report, how the organization continues to progress through its mission, vision and values. The organization has turned challenges into new opportunities, as well as constantly improves the expertise and the services it provides to clients.

This report is a vibrant showcase, but also a record of a year that has seen major changes due to a marked decrease in budget, activities and service offers (now concentrated in Quebec). Despite the situation, thanks to continually updated expertise, you will see that SPHERE offered a noteworthy performance, once again surpassing previous years. As a result, SPHERE is more than ever the reference for complementary and relevant solutions for integrating participants into employment, working with its partners on a daily basis. I would like to thank them for their outstanding results, because it’s clearly a tremendous collaborative effort.

SPHERE has also been able to maintain and improve its knowledge transfer activities for the benefit of partners and people with disabilities. SPHERE’s development of an extremely active network of employment professionals in Canada is a magnificent showcase for Quebec, but also a bridge to the best of Canada. You are witnesses to the strength of this network based on the impact of the CASE’s 24th National Supported Employment Conference, which SPHERE hosted and contributed to remarkably. I would also like to thank Quebec’s Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Solidarity, Mr. Jean Boulet, for his presence and inspiring speech at this great event.

I would also like to thank the Government of Canada, which has delivered for more than 20 years through the Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities and the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy, great labour market integration strategies. They have enabled SPHERE to support nearly 15,000 participants and thousands of employers to date.

Thanks to the entire SPHERE team for carrying out the organization’s mission and going beyond the call of duty once again. Thanks again to all the partners with whom SPHERE has had the privilege of attaining objectives with hand-in-hand. And, finally, thanks to the Board of Directors for their significant contribution, including the late Serge Leblanc, who we have had the honour and the privilege of knowing over the years.

Martin TrépanierChairman, SPHERE

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Word from the Executive Director In 2018, SPHERE faced the challenge of continuing to deliver services at a more limited geographic range and budget. It has met the challenge by drawing on the vast amount of expertise developed over the years thanks to partners, networks, integration activities and consultation work across Canada. Following this adjustment, it is with great pride that I present this report to you for the excellent ongoing work of the SPHERE 2018-2019 team, its administrators, partners and employers.

With a budget for participant projects of $3.1 million, a decrease of almost 35% in 2018-2019, SPHERE still supported 1,213 people toward employment, only 15% less than the previous year. In addition, with an average of $2,581 per participant, a decrease of almost 23% from the previous year, participants obtained a record 77% in their job integration projects, 11% more than in 2017-2018.

Despite the fact that labour shortages play an undeniable role in these exceptional results, which is extremely positive, I would like to point out that they are also due to the constant iterative work on the part of everyone, with the aim of providing access to appropriate support measures for as many people with disabilities as possible, complementing existing measures.

The report reflects the scope of the collaborative and knowledge transfer work, allowing the organization not only to be extremely proactive in adapting to the needs of the milieu, but also sharing it with partners to further participant success. Contact with employers, collaboration on the deployment of mentoring pro-jects, co-organization of the 24th National Supported Employment Conference in Quebec, outreach, knowledge transfer; the report is rich in examples of initiatives that clearly express the importance to SPHERE of working hand-in-hand and holistically with all parties, for the benefits to increase continually, for all stakeholders.

Of course, all of this would not be possible without the support of the Government of Canada, whose important contribution I wish to highlight. I would also like to warmly thank the SPHERE 2018-2019 team for their outstanding work, commitment and faith in the organization’s mission, as well as all our collaborators, partners and employers for their involvement. I would also like to thank our administrators for their dedication, including Mr. Serge Leblanc, one of our faithful administrators and great advocates, who passed away at the age of 65 on July 6. Thanks to you and with you, let us continue employment integration, one person at a time.

Nancy MoreauExecutive Director, SPHERE

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Board of DirectorsSPHERE is managed by a Board of Directors composed of several leading figures in the employment integration of people experiencing professional challenges. It’s an undeniable asset, assuring the organization's direction and rational decision-making.

Chairman: Martin Trépanier, Coordinator, Regroupement des associations de per-sonnes handicapées de la Gaspésie—Îles-de-la-Madeleine (Group of Associations for People with Disabilities) and Chairman, Office des personnes handicapées du Québec

Vice-Chairman: Gaétane Lacroix, Retiree, Former Executive Director, Regroupement d’organismes de promotion des personnes handicapées de l’Estrie (Group of Promotional Organizations for People with Disabilities)

Secretary and Treasurer: Louis Adam, Executive Director, Quebec Division of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada

Director: Raymond Gouin, Executive Director, Conseil québécois des entreprises adaptées (Quebec Adapted Companies Council)

Director: Manon Labelle, Executive Director, Intégration-Travail Laurentides

Director: Marc Thomas, Coordinator of the Social Delegate Service, FTQ Regional Council Greater Montreal

Serge Leblanc, 1954-2019It is with regret that SPHERE learned of the passing of Mr. Serge Leblanc on July 6, 2019. A writer, speaker and activist for people living with disabilities, Mr. Leblanc was above all a kind-hearted person, appreciated by all. SPHERE was privileged to have had Mr. Leblanc as a loyal administrator for many years. It is with sadness, but with the memories of a man of contagious good humor that we wish to say thank you, and au revoir. Our sincerest sympathies to all those he leaves behind. We invite you to read his exceptional life story in a brilliant interview by Elizabeth Forget Le François, entitled: “Serge Leblanc: Beyond Perceptions” (in French). View the article at: journaldesvoisins.com, bit.ly/2YdF6iW.BIT.LY/2YDF6IW.

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Mission, vision, means

MissionSPHERE (Support for People with a Handicap Exploring the Road to Employment) is a non-profit Canadian organization. Its mission is to foster employment for people who experience professional challenges due to a particular physical, intellectual or mental condition.

VisionReduce or eliminate barriers to employment for the greatest number of people with disabilities, so they have equal opportunities to make good use of their skills.

MeansSPHERE carries out its mission and vision…

1. By managing and promoting funding or programs for which SPHERE is a beneficiary to relevant partners, and aimed at supporting people in a professional disability situation:

o or individual employment integration,o For customized group trainings with internships in the workplace,o For business startup support,o Or for the creation of new employment integration models.

2. By developing innovative employment integration projects for people in a professional disability situation.

3. By contributing to the improvement of policies and programs.

4. By informing and mobilizing all actors involved in the employment integration of people in a professional disability situation.

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Guiding PrinciplesComplementarityThe organization encourages the pooling of expertise in the implementation of all its operations, with a view to complementing the programs. In this way, duplication and overlap of programs are avoided. Moreover, this practice allows maximum use of public funds dedicated to the integration into employment of people with disabilities and enhances existing services.

Flexibility and CreativitySPHERE’s support stands out for its flexibility and creativity, covering all the particularities of employment, making it possible to adjust to the real needs of each participant.

Consultation and PartnershipsSPHERE ensures that the implementation of employment projects is done in close collaboration with field resources, in respect of their local or provincial particularities. The organization ensures therefore that it participates in local, provincial and national consultation initiatives.

Knowledge TransferTo always offer the best solutions to any challenge, SPHERE actively encourages and promotes know-ledge transfer, both with its team and partners.

Personalized and Global ApproachThe participant’s job integration project is at the heart of the organization’s efforts. And it is relentless that the team, motivated by the importance of the person’s success, operates, of course, in respect of the abilities and the needs of this person.

ListeningThe organization wants to remain attentive to client needs, but also employer, partner and general labor market needs too.

ProactiveSPHERE team is proactive at finding and implementing ideas and partnerships that will foster new job integration models.

TeamSPHERE works with a skilled team of employability and disability professionals to carry out its mission of giving more and more participants access to high quality services. Today, nearly twenty people work daily to improve and offer their expertise, contribute to service enhancement through their feedback, their initiative and their creativity, while always striving for sound management. They are an experienced team that places the client first.

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Activities – Employers

In response to the labour force shortage: “Connect, Coach and Match!”

ActivitiesFollowing several months (from November 2018 to May 2019) of preparation, the second edition of the weeks of activities, “Connect, Coach and Match!” was held from May 6 to 20, 2019. It was organized by the Regroupement des organismes spécialisés pour l’emploi des personnes handicapées (ROSEPH) and funded by SPHERE (Support for People with a Handicap Exploring the Road to Employment), thanks to the support of the Government of Canada under the Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities. This year, the initiative enabled almost 65 companies from several regions of Quebec (Côte-Nord, Mauricie, Laurentides et Montérégie) to hold workplace mentoring activities organized with the support of their local specialized manpower service, whose objective was to hire and retain exceptional candidates.

More than 70 job seekers had the opportunity to receive support from an employment organization in their region during the two weeks of activities. They were able to get their employment profile assessed, benefit from job preparation help and individual coaching (to explore skills-related job areas), confirm their interest in working in the area, as well as get help with work integration, if needed. Employers had the opportunity to learn more about the candidates by discovering their skills and abilities with open access to an employment organization’s support at all stages of the process until the candidate is retained.

SPHERE is proud to support inspiring projects such as “Connect, Coach and Match!”, because they bring not only significant economic and social benefits, but also help to display the adapted support available to every employer and job seeker through a wide network of support professionals who often work in the shadows. Professionals everyone deserves to know better.

AssessmentTwo weeks of activities carefully prepared during the previous months: 4 recruiting organizations, 71 participants, 183 calls to employers, 90 interested companies, 69 participating companies, 46 available positions, 50 publications on Facebook during the two weeks of activities, generating nearly 12 000 views and 1200 interactions with Internet users.

CreditsConnect, Coach and Match! is inspired by the project MentorAbility, from the Canadian Association for Supported Employment (CASE). In Quebec, the deployment of MentorAbility is directed by SPHERE. It was tasked with setting up nearly 100 new mentoring projects and assisting employability organizations with the program.

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Testimonies

Les Délices de Michèle, Proud Mentor!" I agreed to participate in this project because I find it rewarding to help others. Mr. Desbiens helped us a lot. He was productive and he integrated well with the work team. The day was very pleasant. I encourage employers to welcome people with disabilities in their businesses to contribute to their professional development. "

Michèle Beaulieu, owner, Les Délices de Michèle / Confiserie La Mère Michèle

"I am a student in a social insertion class and I decided to be proactive about finding a job at the same time as going to school to do something. I spent a day at Confiserie La Mère Michèle. I weighed and packed candies. I liked working with the team. The day was very interesting and I did not get bored. It is an experience I will be able to put in my resume”

Pierre-Luc Desbiens, participantLes Délices de Michèle / Confiserie la Mère Michèle

CJE Manicouagan, Proud Mentor!“We are pleased to have welcomed Cynthia into our organization. This experience has allowed us to find a candidate who meets our business requirements. We encourage employers to meet candidates with limitations, and get to know them beyond their disability. Ignorance often creates fears. Yet these people are a motivated and skilled workforce.”

Manon Barbeau and Émilie Poirier Desbiens,CJE Manicouagan

“I agreed to participate in this project to have experiences in organizations that offer jobs in my field of study. So, it gave me the opportunity to showcase my skills and open doors to the labour market. I really enjoyed participating in this project. Such an initiative shows that people with disabilities have skills equal to those of others.”

Cynthia McCluskey-Vaillancourt, participantCJE Manicouagan

ARM, Proud Mentor!"We had positive experiences in the past and we were ready to try mentoring again. So far, we are very happy that Alexis joined our team. Not only does he have the ability to carry out his tasks, he also fits well with the team and is valued by his colleagues. Success!"

Frédéric Barbe, employer,ARM, Collection Agency.

“Connect, Coach and Match! not only helps the new employee integrate their tasks and the team, but the support provided also helps expect where there might be difficulties, which was important to me. Thanks to that I have a job that I like a lot and that I hope to keep until I retire. The team is super friendly. A sure success!"

Alexis Léveillé, participantARM, Collection Agency.

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Nirvana Heat-Pumps, Proud Mentor!

"We participated in Connect, Coach and Match! to overcome a lack of manpower, and the experiment was a success. We found in Eric a good employee. The project is very well supervised. If there’s another opportunity we will participate again. It is important for employers to be open to this type vof project because there are very good candidates."

Sébastien Bergeron, Operations Director,Nirvana Heat Pumps

"I wanted a job because I didn’t want to be on welfare anymore and wanted to take control of my life. I heard about the project on the Internet. I loved my experience, I learned new things."

Éric Ferland, participantNirvana Heat Pumps

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Chamber of Commerce and Industry Bois-Francs/Érable

On April 12, 2019, SPHERE was one of the guest speakers at a conference luncheon for manufacturers organized by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Bois-Francs/Érable (CCIBFE) in Victoriaville, Quebec, with SAE (services aux entreprises - business services), SEMO Centre-du-Québec, Emploi-Québec, Correctional Service Canada (Drummond Facility), Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux de la Mauricie-et-du-Centre-du-Québec (CIUSSS MCQ). The CCIBFE’s goal was to help employers meet with various stakeholders specialized in coaching individuals from underrepresented groups in employment (such as people with disabilities, living with mental health problems, criminalized, etc.) to learn about existing support and to demystify these potential labor pools.

As manufacturers in the region have great hiring needs, many responded to the call. Nearly 50 people representing employers in the region were on site to welcome the speakers.

SPHERE wants to thank Centre-du-Québec SAE (Services aux entreprises - Business Services) for its recommendation to the CCIBFE. Through this initiative, SPHERE has had the opportunity to introduce the pool of customers to the manufacturers as well as present them the services that the organization can provide in collaboration with its partners. Thanks to the presence of all stakeholders, employers were fortunate to leave with a goldmine of information on job opportunities related to underrepresented labor pools in the labor market.

Ready to Listen: Participating Actively in Employer Groups at the Local Level

Many programs supporting employers facing labour force shortages are currently underway in Quebec, including in Québec City where SPHERE is participating actively in two initiatives with local supporters:

o Comité de rareté de main-d’œuvre de Saint-Roch (Saint-Roch Labour Force Shortage Committee) (Québec City). A group of organizations and partners which develop innovative solutions to support local companies facing labour force challenges. The Committee is a joint initiative of the Carrefour jeunesse-emploi Capitale Nationale and Services Québec in collaboration with the ministère de l’Immigration, de la Diversité et de l’Inclusion, City of Québec, Société de développement commercial de Saint-Roch, SPHERE, YMCA Saint-Roch, Centre R.I.R.E. 2000, Centre Louis-Jolliet, École hôtelière de la Capitale et and Intermarché Saint-Roch. The Committee aims to develop consensus between all stakeholders in order to make a difference in the area by increasing employee retention levels and the number of local workers, creating a unified and prosperous neighbourhood that benefits everyone – where support organizations are more willing than ever to lend a hand to employers and make available the management tools necessary for them to meet their labour force challenges.

o Table d’initiatives de main-d’œuvre de Beauport (Beauport Labour Force Round Table Initiative) (Québec City borough). A group of stakeholders who want to secure and implement initiatives to attract employers dealing with the labour market changes. The Round Table is a joint initiative of the Carrefour jeunesse-emploi Montmorency and Services Québec, in collaboration with the Beauport Borough, the Federal MP's Office (for Beauport-Limoilou), the Provincial MNA's Office (for Montmorency), Centre étape, SPHERE and Vélo Vert. By forming this Round Table, the partners hope to meet with employers through different activities and raise awareness of the services available to them in their region.

SPHERE would like to highlight the initiative and the involvement of these partners in the development of these joint efforts, benefitting local companies and to thank them for inviting other organizations to join. SPHERE is proud to participate actively with them as well as see them create additional opportunities to

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liaise with and support employers in their job recruitment and the search for solutions to the current labour force shortage.

Hire for Talent!

On May 16 and 17, 2019 in Campbellton, New Brunswick, SPHERE participated as a member of the National Work Group in a meeting to present the results and determine the next steps in the Hire for Talent! program launched in October 2017. Hire for Talent! is a national program designed to raise the awareness and gain the confidence of employers and entrepreneurs regarding hiring people with disabilities (financed through the Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities). With this goal, a website, hireforletalent.ca was launched thanks to the collaboration of a number of stakeholders in the milieu, and many communication initiatives were undertaken. During the meeting, the exceptional results of the promotional campaign were presented by Cossette Communications: 50,000 visits generated, 8 million views on all platforms combined and 125,000 web interactions! The goal of the meeting was also to share ideas about the next steps to take to sustain the program, and a new Sustainability Committee was launched.

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In Brief – Activities (Employers)

Invitation to the Développement économique Lévis Press Conference on Labour Force Issues On May 10, 2019 SPHERE was invited to assist at a press conference in the Town Hall of Levis (Quebec) organized by Développement économique Lévis. The subject was labour force issues and the solutions that the city and, on a larger scale, the Chaudière-Appalaches region hope to employ to solve them. To respond adequately to employers' needs and to adjust constantly to industry needs, SPHERE believes in the importance of partnering with the business milieu and staying aware of the possibilities of collaborating and developing with it; another opportunity to learn for the organization to maintain adequately its services.

Collaboration with the Skills Development Sub-Committee of the Committee for the Employment Integration and the Retention of People with disabilitiesOn April 9, 2018, SPHERE participated in a press conference set up to recruit employers interested in offering coops to graduates of the Office Clerk Socio-Professional Program by the Centre multiservice des Samares (Lanaudière region, Quebec). SPHERE offered their support to this project in collaboration with the Direction régionale de Services Québec de Lanaudière, Service Spécialisé de Main-d’œuvre Essor II, Pinart international, Cyber-Cible, Office des personnes handicapées du Québec and Association des Personnes Handicapées Matawinie.

Support for the Inclusive Employer Award, Gala des Napoléon of the Drummond Chamber of Commerce and IndustryOrganized each year by the Drummond Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Quebec), the Gala des Napoléon highlights the know-how of organizations, businesses and individuals representing the economic dynamism that drives the RCM. Among the awards presented during the gala is the Inclusive Employer Award, handed out in the name of the Regional Round Table for the work of people with disabilities in the Centre-du-Québec region with the support of SPHERE as sponsor. Congratulations!

Participation in the Inclusive Employment Panel of Humanity & Inclusion in Montréal During the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, December 3, 2018, the Humanity & Inclusion organization planned a panel in Montréal on the theme of inclusive employment. Four panellists were invited to share on the theme: SPHERE, Deloitte, ROSEPH and one person with disabilities testified about their experiences. The event was held at Montréal's Centre for Sustainable Development and attracted around thirty people, including support professionals and managers hoping to hire more people with disabilities. SPHERE would like to thank the organizers for giving us the opportunity to meet the employers present and congratulate them for the initiative.

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Activities – Public Relations

In Brief – Activities (Public Relations)

Invitation to a Recognition Activity for Chantiers urbains at Québec City's Town Halln October 11, 2018, SPHERE was invited to Québec City’s Town Hall for a recognition activity during the closing ceremonies for programs associated with Chantiers urbains (SPHERE partnered on two programs). SPHERE would like to congratulate all of our partners for the outstanding projects on which it collaborated: Carrefours jeunesse-emploi de la Capitale-Nationale and Charlesbourg-Chauveau, Service Québec, Commission scolaire de la Capitale, Commission scolaire des Premières-Seigneuries and the City of Québec.

Presence of Mr. Jean Boulet, Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Solidarity (Quebec) at the National Supported Employment ConferenceThe 24th National Supported Employment Conference was held from June 11 to 13, 2019 in Montréal, organized jointly with the Canadian Association for Supported Employment (CASE) and hosted by SPHERE. For the occasion, we had the honor of receiving Minister Jean Boulet, who addressed the delegates on hand, discussing the importance for the Government of Quebec of the place occupied by the pool of people with disabilities in the labour market. SPHERE would like to thank the Minister for his very much appreciated presence.

An Always Inspiring Visit for Service CanadaOn May 3, 2018, SPHERE had the pleasure of welcoming Mr. Lahouari Belmadani, Program Development Officer for Service Canada. During the occasion, he had the opportunity of meeting Mrs. Mélanie Bilodeau and Mr. Rossy Tshibangu, her employment counsellor. Mrs. Bilodeau received support from SPHERE for her journey to successful employment integration. SPHERE is proud of the work accomplished due in part to the support of the Government of Canada within the framework of the Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities. Bravo!

Invitation to a Local Networking Event Organized by the Honorable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social DevelopmentFor a second consecutive year, SPHERE was happy to take part in this local networking event. The goal of the event was to offer organizations in the Quebec City riding an occasion to share about their mission and successes. For the occasion, different services offered to support organizations by the Minister's riding office were also presented, in addition to certain novelties in Federal social development policies. Due to this popular event, SPHERE has the opportunity each year to meet and discover the diverse services of organizations in the riding. SPHERE wishes to thank the entire team behind the organization of this event for the positive returns that it produces.

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Marie-Pier’s TestimonyI am writing to you today to share my work experience, hoping that this testimony will encourage a few to persevere in their job search.

In fact, being a College student and wanting to save for my graduate studies, I went to two employment assistance organizations. The first did not give the results I wanted, so I turned to an organization near my home, which specializes in employment assistance for youth.

They generously agreed to help me, and one day I gladly learned that an employer wanted to interview me. So I went, I explained my limitations and tools I had to overcome them. He agreed to hire me for some time, and towards the end of the grant, he decided to keep me on the team.

I am now a receptionist in a known travel agency located in Terrebonne, in the Lanaudière region. Working part-time, this job helps me earn a little income in a pleasant and dynamic atmosphere. The team really welcomed me and the bosses were open-minded. SPHERE therefore helped me to start this new job, leaving us (the team and myself) time to adapt to this new challenge, also knowing that it was my first real work experience.

Thank you so much for your support, otherwise it might have been a little harder for me to find a job as effectively.

Marie-Pier Brousseau

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Activities – Partners

A Campaign to Say “Thanks!” for Christmas... and year-round!

As you know, SPHERE is always eager to put forward the collaborative work with all its partners. To thank them and everyone involved near and far in the employment and handicap field, SPHERE thought about offering a gift for the Holidays and also year-round, a choice of inspiring wallpapers to remind everyone, every day that they make a difference!

Eight themes have been and are always available, for all tastes! In a couple of clicks, web users can change the theme, according to their mood. And you, which wallpaper pleases you the most? Go see them or see them again on our web site, www.sphere-qc.ca/en and select “Wallpapers” from the menu.

The campaign was successful, and many are the partners and professionals in the employment and handicap milieu who received the pat on the back as the Web site registered close to 900 visits. On Facebook alone, more than 2,000 views were registered, 600 for the launch itself.

SPHERE again would like to congratulate all its partners and all the support professionals in the employment and disabilities milieu for their excellent work. Never forget that you do make a difference!

Co-organization of the 24th National Supported Employment Conference in Montréal

In 2017, SPHERE started to plan the 24th National Supported Employment Conference, a CASE (Canadian Association for Supported Employment) event hosted by SPHERE. The Conference, the largest Canadian event in the field, is a unique forum to exchange about the challenges and opportunities related to supported employment.

Held for the first time in Quebec, we focused on the production of a fully bilingual conference in order to give us the means, as the theme indicated, to “seize opportunities, and enhance possibilities”. For beyond the language barrier, we all have a lot to learn from each other and to gain from working together to continue to advance employment support in Canada.

Planning this great event led us to contact many partners, organizations, companies and people from all over the country. They responded positively to our request to take an active part in the conference, either as a speaker, sponsor or delegate. SPHERE would like to thank them warmly, because it is their exceptional response that made this conference a success.

SPHERE would also like to thank the Quebec Minister of Labor, Employment and Social Solidarity, Mr. Jean Boulet, for his presence and for his speech at the conference, which were appreciated greatly by the delegates.

The 24th National Supported Employment Conference, held at the Delta Hotel by Marriott from June 11-13, 2019, brought together more than 350 delegates and nearly 70 speakers from across Canada (for about thirty presentations). In total, nearly 65 presentation proposals were previously received and studied, and the seats also flew away quickly: the event was complete before the end of the early bird registration period! This demonstrates unparalleled interest, reflecting the importance of these consultation events to all stakeholders.

SPHERE would like to thank CASE for the incredible opportunity to bring together from coast to coast stakeholders in the field.

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The National Supported Employment Conference also brought nearly 1300 visits on the SPHERE’s website Conference page only, 29 Facebook publications during the 3 days of the conference and over 10,000 views.

Once again, thank you to all our partners.

Memberships and Consultation Activities

Memberships

Canadian Association for Supported Employment (CASE): The Canadian Association for Supported Employment is a national association of community-based service providers and stakeholders working towards the Employment Inclusion of people with disabilities. It currently has a hundred member organizations across Canada.

The Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal (CCMM): The mission of the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal is to act as the voice of Montreal’s business community and to promote the prosperity of the city and its businesses.

Coalition des organismes communautaires pour le développement de la main-d’oeuvre/COCDMO (Coalition of Community Organizations for Workforce Development): The COCDMO is a referral, exchange and dialogue center. It helps members think about and develop strategies promoting the integration and job retention of marginalized people. The Coalition consists of more than a dozen national associations’ group members, reaching several hundred organizations with their consultation activities.

Community Economic Development and Employability Corporation (CEDEC): The CEDEC is a leading partner and driving force for community economic development and employability in Quebec.

Forum Jeunesse de l’Île Montréal (FJÎM). FJÎM is an offshoot of Concertation Montréal. The FJÎM represents more than 500 organizations and individual Montrealers. Its mission is to bring young people and youth organizations together to amplify their voice, stimulate citizen engagement and prompt the emergence of structured programs for and by youth.

Consultation ActivitiesWe believe the best way to work is to combine forces. It's the reason why we have a heart to take part in local, regional and national round table events. They allow us, through the sharing of ideas, to be actively involved in the improvement of service offers and to maintain ongoing expertise in services adapted to the current reality. Thus, SPHERE participates in many round tables, notably, more than fifteen about disabilities and employment in Quebec.

In total, across Canada, SPHERE participated in 60 round tables and partner committees, as well as more than 20 information meetings for employers and support professionals.

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In Brief – Activities (Partners – Connect)

Participation in the Exchange Forums of Inclusive Society, June 5 and September 28, 2018Toward a More Inclusive Quebec Society is an intersectoral research initiative in habilitation-rehabilitation and support for social integration. The goal is to create more inclusive physical and social environments for people with disabilities. The objectives of the meetings were: to obtain a picture of various active organizations' services in order to improve social involvement (i.e., employment integration); to present the 2017 Summary and the challenges for 2018-2020, as well as the 15 projects subsidized by Inclusive Society and its partners; and to present many workshops. Several dozen or so organizations took part in the meetings.

Active Involvement in the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) and the Canadian Association for Supported Employment (CASE) Community of PracticeIn 2018-2019, SPHERE collaborated as a Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) and Canadian Association for Supported Employment (CASE) community of practice member, particularly by active participation in the Policies sub-committee. The objectives of the community of practice are to encourage and maintain dialogue in employment support matters in order to further best practises for people living with mental health issues in Canada. The results of the work, among other things, were presented during the National Supported Employment Conference in June 2019.

Participation in a Discussion Group – Ontario Disability Employment Network (ODEN)On April 20, 2018, SPHERE was invited to Ottawa to take part along with a dozen or so other organizations in a discussion group on the principle factors that must guide ODEN members. During the meeting, a committee was launched called the Quality Standards for Employment Service Providers in the Disability Sector.

Presence at Forum 2018 for Hiring People with DisabilitiesOn June 6, 2018, SPHERE was invited to participate in Forum 2018 for hiring people with disabilities, an event organized by the Table régionale pour l’intégration et le maintien en emploi des personnes handicapées de la Montérégie – TRIME-PH (Regional Round Table for the integration and retention of people with disabilities in the Montérégie region, Quebec). The event was a follow-up to the 23-city tour conducted earlier in the year by the Action Plan Regarding People with Disabilities of the Office des personnes handicapées du Québec. Cities and organizations in employability were invited to take part in the forum where four presentations were given with the goal of guiding stakeholders further in the inclusion of people with disabilities into jobs.

Presence at the COCDMO Annual General AssemblyOn September 11, 2018, SPHERE participated in the Annual General Assembly in Montréal of Coalition des organismes communautaires de développement de la main-d’œuvre – COCDMO (Coalition of Community Organizations in Labour Force Development) of which it is a member. On the menu: presentation of the annual report, inauguration of the strategic planning and a workshop for reflecting on the new synergies and alliances with stakeholders working on the socio-professional inclusion of people outside the labour market.

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In Brief – Activities (Partners – Making Our Services Accessible, Going to Meet Our Partners and Maintaining Continuous Learning)

Building Connexions OttawaSPHERE participated on April 10, 2018 in the 4th edition of Building Connections – Working Together in Ottawa. It was a day of networking, enrichment and training on the ways different partners in the Ottawa region (employers, instructors and service organizations) can work together so job seekers can access employment.

Employment Accessibility Resource Network (EARN) 6th Annual Conference On June 6, 2018, SPHERE participated in Ottawa at the 6th annual EARN Conference on the theme “Mental Health: Workplace Strategies Contributing to Inclusion”. EARN is a community program led by United Way. It brings together employers, service suppliers and other interested parties with the goal of increasing employment opportunities for people with disabilities and fostering inclusive and accessible workplace environments. About 300 delegates attended this occasion.

Enable Ottawa 2018 On April 27, 2018, SPHERE participated in Enable Ottawa 2018, an event gathering together numerous organizations active in developing innovative accessibility and inclusion solutions for people living with functional limitations, organized by the Tetra Society of North America. About 150 people took part in the event.

CIRRIS Colloquium on the Employment Preparation, Access and Retention of People with Disabilities (November 30)On November 30, 2018, many SPHERE project officers assisted in Québec City at the colloquium organized by the CIRRIS – Centre interdisciplinaire de recherche en réadaptation et intégration sociale (Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation and Social Integration) in collaboration with the DEPPI (Disability, Employment and Public Policies Initiative). The event allowed six research teams to discuss their work with employment and people living with a limitation.

21st Réseau des Carrefours jeunesse-emploi du Québec (RCJEQ) CongressOn October 23, 2018, SPHERE participated in the 21st RCJEQ (youth employment network) congress in Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec. About 300 people were at the meeting and about 100 of them passed by our booth.

ROSEPH ColloquiumOn October 17 and 18, SPHERE participated in the Regroupement des organismes spécialisés pour l'emploi des personnes handicapées – ROSEPH (Supported Employment Services Group) colloquium in Lac-Beauport, Quebec. Our Executive Director, Nancy Moreau, was invited to the occasion and presented her journey, which was greatly appreciated by participants. SPHERE was also present at a booth to meet with its partners. About 150 participants were in attendance.

QUARIERAOn February 20-22, 2019, QUARIERA was held in Quebec City, a colloquium of employability professionals organized by the AXTRA, l’Alliance des centres-conseils en emploi (Alliance of Employment Counselling Centres). It works at integrating people into jobs who are under-represented in the labour market. This year, a record number of organizations were interested in our services: of 300 QUARIERA attendees, 60 professionals visited our booth and more than half wanted to keep in touch by subscribing to our newsletter, WORK & Abilities.

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Rendez-vous ParadoxesSPHERE participated March 11 and 12, 2019 in this event in Quebec City organized by Le Collectif Paradoxes, a hub for the dissemination of knowledge, support tools, community programs and events dedicated to the transition to adult life. The theme? The experiences of young people in transition to adulthood resulting from diversity in all its forms. About 250 people assisted in the event, including partners from institutional and community milieus.

In Brief – Activities (Partners – Recognition of the Work of Our Partners)

Gala reconnaissance Visage d’art On June 4, 2018, SPHERE was invited to the Gala Reconnaissance Laval – Visages d'art 2018 (Quebec) which recognized publicly companies and organizations that take concrete steps to develop sustainably the integration and social participation of people with disabilities. The Ma Station project (to which SPHERE is a proud partner) and Mrs. Karina Vézina-Lemieux, project participant were among the finalists in two categories: Education – Prix Reconnaissance and Education – Prix Méritas.

Accès-Cible SMT 30th Anniversary The Montréal-based organization, Accès-Cible SMT (workplace mental health organization) convened September 26, 2018 its partners in employability and mental health for an afternoon of networking and training at its offices. On the menu: a round table and networking session on the theme of “Better Connections for Better Referral” and a lecture entitled, “The Developing Personal and Collective Empowerment Approach” by Martine Sauvageau, instructor at the Centre St-Pierre and research team member of professor Yann LeBossé, Laval University.

Roger Pedneault Recognition Awards, CQEA On June 6, 2018 our Executive Director was present at the 5th edition of the Roger Pedneault Recognition Awards of the Conseil québécois des entreprises adaptées – CQEA (Council of Adapted Companies). At this event, five exceptional workers and a jury favourite received an award from the hands of Mr. Roger Pedneault, Florence K. (this year's guest of honour) and Mr. François Blais, Quebec’s Minister of Employment and Social Solidarity. SPHERE was happy to contribute to the event with its Executive Director's presence on the selection committee, along with La Croisée and the Office des personnes handicapées du Québec.

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Success Stories

The Results of a Beneficial Collaboration

By Collaborating with SPHERE, Our Partners Create Opportunities – The Ottawa Hospital

Some pretty magnificent things happen when talented people team up to pursue innovative research. That spirit of teamwork was in full force when The Ottawa Hospital, Performance Plus Rehabilitative Care (PPRC) and SPHERE teamed up to help Dawson Frobel access meaningful and challenging work at the hospital’s research institute.

Dawson was a job seeker with a disability who had been educated at Algonquin College and graduated with an Advanced Certificate in Bio-Technology. Finding suitable employment in his field was not easy. When Dawson decided to work with PPRC, the doors started to open.

PPRC provides supported employment to persons with disabilities. In Dawson’s case, PPRC teamed up with SPHERE, a non-profit organization, to access the Opportunities Fund. The Opportunities Fund is a national program that provides additional funding for individuals with disabilities to help create job placement opportunities.

Dawson completed his student placement at the Civic Campus of The Ottawa Hospital, where he obtained valuable experience in his field of choice. He built up his work history and had an opportunity to showcase his strengths.

Today Dawson is working full-time assisting with daily preparation in a research laboratory at The Ottawa Hospital. Brian Cayen is Dawson’s supervisor. “Dawson is very good. He cares about his quality of work and he is always punctual. The term contract allowed me to build the business case for the full-time position, but it would not have happened without the funding from SPHERE and the coordination from PPRC.”

“I really like my job,” says Dawson, “I like the work, my co-workers are great and I am glad that someone gave me a chance. My parents always helped me to look for work in the science field, and my dad still supports me today. We lost my mom last year but I think she would be proud.”

Source: Contributed by Performance Plus – Rehabilitative Care

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Activities – Developing Niches

Training Project in Collaboration with Cree Human Resources Development (CHRD)

On September 26, 2018, SPHERE landed in the Cree community of Waskaganish, on the shores of James Bay to train Community Employment Counsellors. The training project took shape after talking with the CHRD and following the needs of the communities. In fact, nine James Bay communities have employment services and among their clients, people with disabilities who need support. However, they are not the main clientele, so employment counselors expressed the need to develop tools to better support them.

According to the needs expressed, the content of the training was developed around subjects such as supporting people with disabilities in their job search, the definition of a disability, raising awareness among employers and job retention. Participants (nine counselors), CHRD coordinators and a supported employment officer outside the reserve have showed interest throughout the entire project and announced at the end of the training that they felt better equipped to help clients with disabilities.

Since it was the first collaboration, options about subsequent training projects were expressed. Among others, participants voiced their desire to improve clients' post-integration support, raising more awareness among employers and improving clients' qualifications to increase their chances of retaining a job. Thanks to the CHRD for the opportunity offered to continuously improve client support.

Entrepreneurship Support for People with Disabilities

For more than 20 years, SPHERE has offered support services for people who want to become self-employed and who live with a physical, mental or intellectual. This condition could have created professional challenges and could be the reason why a person decides to turn to self-employment. This condition could also create challenges for a self-employment project. It is a service entirely customized to the person’s reality, which aims to improve the financial situation, as well as to provide a basic source of income.

The evaluation and start up process consists of various steps and each client whose project is accepted is supported by a project officer, an employment counselor, as well as a business partner. Again this year, the service enjoyed great success and many requested it. For 2018-2019, SPHERE supported close to 45 clients toward self-employment. This popularity continues to guide our constant improvement of services and diverse initiatives will be introduced in 2019-2020 to better support entrepreneurs and insure the success of their projects. Objective: Make projects successful, with you!

Personalized Support

Since 1997, people have been at the heart of all SPHERE's activities and supported employment projects. Its slogan, “Including through employment, one person at a time” reflects this concern. Four of the organization’s seven guiding principles relate to offering personalized services, as follows: “complementing existing services”, “flexibility and creativity”, “a personalized and comprehensive approach” and “listening”. This approach enables SPHERE to constantly adjust to labour market fluctuations, new knowledge and methods, the evolution of other kinds of support measures and the needs of the partners associated to them. And that’s where our three other guiding principles enter the picture. “Collaboration and partnerships”, as well as “knowledge transfer” allows us to stay on top of anything that might influence how we work, and “proactiveness” in our ability to respond in real time to

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needs. The following are three success stories that reflect the importance of our guiding principles in providing personalized service to the individual, the employer or partners.

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Success Stories

Entrepreneurship Support for People with Disabilities

Self-Employment: Mrs. Diallo’s Double Adaptation

Every year, we present you with a portrait of an exceptional self-employed person whose business project we are honoured to support. This year, we want to highlight Djeneba Diallo’s project. She lives with a physical disability, a cervical hernia.

“I’ve lived with a lot of physical problems related to my condition. For example, I can’t be in the same position too long. Working on a computer created numbness in my arms and hands. Sleep was very difficult because of the pain. I literally felt like I’d become paralyzed at any moment.” Her neurologist will provide her with initial support so she can understand better the adaptations necessary to do a job. “He recommended that I talk to my employers about my adaptation needs while I was job searching, but as soon as I talked about my condition, I felt the doors closing. I found it extremely difficult not to be able to work because I was prepared to with the necessary adjustments.”

Mrs. Diallo is a persistent woman, because in addition to her community involvement in Quebec, she is a single mother (her husband died). “I had a shop in Mali for nearly 10 years. With the difficulties I was experiencing finding a job, I told myself that as soon as the children were a little older, I would try my luck as a store owner here in Quebec.” Finally, she will open a mobile store selling African and Middle Eastern products: fabrics, traditional clothing, jewellery, cosmetics, handbags, accessories, etc. She knows many suppliers in those regions. A number of multicultural communities live in her area. She has experience. She is confident.

She takes a chance with a small initial inventory, thanks to microcredit loan from Fonds Mauricie. Even with all her experience, Mrs. Diallo encounters an unexpected obstacle: “Physically, some things were still difficult, but I realized with Fonds Mauricie that my biggest challenge was the difference between doing business in Mali and Quebec!” Mrs. Diallo had to learn everything over again. Despite having to learn many new things, she still felt encouraged… because the demand was there.

Mrs. Diallo will continue to strive, supported by Fonds Mauricie and Service spécialisé de main-d'oeuvre (SEMO) Mauricie (specialized labour market services). The SEMO presented the project to SPHERE. “Mrs. Diallo is always solution-oriented and listens to our advice, and her perseverance is extremely inspiring!” says Valérie Moschonas, employment counselor at SEMO Mauricie. She will develop, together with all the partners, an action plan for launching Diallo’s business. Because of SEMO Mauricie and thanks to the support and expertise of SPHERE in business start-ups for people with disabilities, Diallo will be able to access many services and adaptations to facilitate her daily life and further her business.

Fonds Mauricie made the difference. “With SPHERE’s support, I got a business and financing advisor, Mr. Claude Bégin. He helped me with a business plan and walked me through the trade rules in Quebec and good management practices. Unfortunately, Mr. Bégin passed away this year, and I would like to pay tribute to him by emphasizing how instrumental his assistance was with my project.” SEMO Mauricie also offered Mrs. Diallo accounting training through Emploi-Québec. “I am now able to do my own accounting and manage my business’ budget according to best practices. “The whole journey has made me really happy and I’m proud that I can do so many things now when not so long ago, I didn’t think I could!” “It’s incredible to see how much progress Mrs. Diallo has made and the discipline she has developed in management,” Moschonas added.

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Mrs. Diallo also stresses the importance of SPHERE’s adaptation support, “Occupational therapy services, like having the proper body posture at work, on the computer, managing energy, my professional life… and the equipment that allows me to arrange my days and workplace have made a radical difference in my professional life and my personal life. No more numbness with the computer nor neck pain with my new customized telephony system, and my new way of sewing; no more fear of carrying my heavy new demonstration equipment. I even started to sleep better because I live with less pain.”

What about sales? Marie Boulanger, Project Officer at SPHERE, sees a bright future. “Mrs. Diallo is a person who has an excellent ability to analyze her market and is really resilient: she tests her products with her customers and adjusts quickly her product lines according to demand. Every step she takes is well thought out, and I think that’s what will sustain her business and further growth. It’s been the case since the beginning of this wonderful project.” “Mrs. Diallo’s a determined woman who never gives up despite adversity,” Moschonas adds.

In conclusion? “I cannot tell you how grateful I am for all the help I’ve received and for all the people who have offered the help, and for how far I’ve come,” Mrs. Diallo said. “Not only am I aiming for financial independence through the project, but the further along it goes, the more I feel valued and part of my community. I have gained a lot of strength and hope knowing that now, everything is possible.”

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Personalized Support

Promoting Customized Support in a Group Project

Since 2017, SPHERE has collaborated on the Unisson (QC) project. It promotes job integration and retention of young adults with functional disabilities that limit their integration, providing flexible and customized support for participants and employers. Developed by Carrefour jeunesse-emploi de la Capitale Nationale and implemented in collaboration with Centre de formation Louis-Jolliet, the group project consists of four customizable components, as follows: one-on-one coaching by an Employment Integration and Retention Officer (AIME: agente d’insertion et de maintien en emploi), a flexible and scalable career path and training adaptable to the needs and difficulties of participants, complete individual financial support, and finally, the possibility of obtaining a job in the field and with the employer of their choice. And yes, it's entirely a group project, with exceptional results: in 18 months, 24 participants hired with an initial success rate of 83%! How is it possible?

First, thanks to SPHERE's support, the participant and employer have the opportunity to be supported by an AIME for the entire job integration process, from pre-employment activities to maintenance. In collaboration with the AIME, the participants first establish a personal action plan, targeting their individual interests, skills and objectives. It is the first step towards customizing their journey. From this information, participants then search for a job with the support of the AIME as required, based on their profile. They will also be responsible to orient the employers selected about the nature of the project, presenting different support options and following up to address any potential issues.

Participants then have the opportunity to receive basic skills training, in collaboration with the Centre Louis-Jolliet. The ongoing training includes 11 separate workshops, on topics such as job search preparation, lifestyle and managing day-to-day, mental health and social skills on the job, or the hiring process and workplace standards. For each workshop, the instructor and participant discuss the participant’s experience and subject knowledge to identify which areas need improvement. Depending on the needs arising from the evaluation, the participants then have the opportunity to participate in the necessary training, sometimes in groups, sometimes individually, and have their training customized.

Remember that during the participant’s journey, various needs can also develop: clothing, transportation, work equipment (e.g. tools that must be provided by the worker), specific refresher training (e.g., CPR, work permits, forklift license, etc.) or tools to better organize or empower oneself, psychological support, etc. In addition to coaching, SPHERE's support context promotes a person's integration in a holistic fashion and not just in terms of disability. SPHERE aims to remove all employment barriers and ensure that the best possible scenario exists for participants to benefit from all the effort invested in them on the road toward employment.

In the end, even within a group project context, the participant will have benefited from: personalised coaching; training and holistic support to start a job with an employer of their choice; a job related to their personal action plan; a workplace where the employer is ready to receive the participant and collaborate with them and the AIME on a successful placement. You could say that this is “Including people through employment, one person at a time!” Thanks to the Carrefour jeunesse-emploi de la Capitale Nationale for the initiative and this great collaboration opportunity, as well as to all the partners involved, in particular to the AIME, Marie-Edwige Guilhem, with whom SPHERE has collaborated since the beginning and who does an outstanding job with young people and employers! Well done!

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Professional Coaching, Game-Changing Additional Support

Éloïse’s Story or the Rewards of Perseverance

Some stories tell us that someone we support will succeed in their career path. Sometimes, it takes several attempts. Time must also play a role and the person must follow the path that is before them. It is the case with Éloïse. Today, she is a graphic designer’s assistant, and she can be proud of her journey and her perseverance. Living with an autism spectrum disorder, she has successfully met every challenge in her job search.

When Éloïse’s case file first arrived at SPHERE in 2015, it focused on her participation in a group project. The goal of the project (with the specialized local labour force service, ESSOR II) was to help at the occupational level a dozen people living in a disability situation with their integration and retention in employment. Accordingly, SPHERE will subsidize an Integration Officer who will carry out the following tasks: support participants at the various stages of the employment integration process, give knowledge-based workshops according to individual needs, help find internships, work experience and jobs, provide individual support during integration, raise awareness among employers. The Integration Officer's personalized support will also help Éloïse gain greater independence. For example, by letting her learn how to contact the handicapped transit service and by accompanying her the first time. Éloïse is looking for a student job now and she will undergo a shadowing stage related to her field: 3D Animation and Computer Graphics. Already very diligent about the training, Éloïse realizes that she lacks certain knowledge to do a suitable job and the experience inspires her to pursue studies in Graphic Design.

With the additional training, Éloïse’s case file returned to SPHERE in 2018 with more strength. This time round, it’s a bigger leap: Éloïse had the opportunity to do a month long stage as a Graphic Design Assistant at LOGIQ Innovations, an Information Technology firm. Aware of Éloïse’s potential, the employer is ready to hire her without a subsidy, but she still needs several months of support that will allow her, among other things, to become more self-confident, manage stress, become familiar with taking the initiative, ask questions and develop professionally. SPHERE will subsidize Éloïse’s salary for three months, giving the employer the chance to understand her better and appreciate all her pluses.However, despite the fact that Éloïse is an excellent employee, her ability to understand clients’ needs remains a challenge. Unfortunately, the employer doesn’t have the personnel available to train Éloïse. Close to the goal with winning conditions, a solution had to be found so that Éloïse’s and her employer's career investment, as well as her employer's belief in her would not be wasted. The employer suggests why not have Éloïse work with an external coach, a professional in the field, who would allow her to perfect her interpersonal skills?

It was an innovative suggestion and more than relevant. For 6 months and thanks to the support of SPHERE, Éloïse will have access to a professional coach, with whom she will be in constant contact through technological tools and weekly meetings. The employer sees a marked improvement. Moreover, Éloïse's coach played a decisive role not only in understanding her work, but also in adapting the employer’s work to Éloïse’s ways of doing things. “Éloïse's really productive, she’s a machine!” He said. “In the end, we all got to know each other and work together. If necessary, we are flexible when there are needs to be met. Eloise is competent and up to the task. As an employer, I'm extremely proud of the progress we have made together and the results today!”

Éloïse works full-time now without a subsidy. A good example of perseverance that epitomizes well SPHERE's philosophy about the importance of personalized support every step of the way. Congratulations!

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SPHERE on the Web

A Website in Motion 23,187 visits on the website, for 65,468 page views, by 14,474 different people.

Engaged Social Media Knowledge transfer enacted among hundreds of professionals!

Facebook: 251 publications, 65,596 views, 230 new subscribers (753 subscribers as of March 31, 2019)LinkedIn: 63 publications, 11,114 views, 55 new subscribers (278 subscribed professionnals as of March 31, 2019)Twitter: 231 publications, 83,396 views, 50 new subscribers (425 subscribers as of March 31, 2019)

WORK & Abilities

WORK & Abilities is a community of interest established by SPHERE. It brings together professionals interested in the topic of employment integration for people with disabilities, through different platforms.

In 2018-2019, WORK & Abilities is…

A newsletter that promotes knowledge transfer across Canada 8 publications in 2018-2019 57 news and 102 published events related to employment and disability in Canada 280 new subscribers, for a total of 1069 subscribed employment and disability professionals as of

March 31, 2019

A dynamic blog 10 blog posts, read over 3,300 times, produced by our internal editorial committee composed of employment support professionals and partners, 1 blog post produced as part of a collaboration with the CERIC on behalf of OrientAction Web Publishing, read over 2,000 times

Current topics such as

1. The Power of Words2. Employment Support: Heroes Among Us!3. Disabling Situation: To be or not to be4. Comorbidities or Why Go Further with a Client5. Field Experiment on People with Physical Disabilities and Discrimination (collaboration of DEPPI –

Disability, Employment and Public Policies Initiative6. Labor Shortage Solution: Inclusion7. Adopting better hiring practices8. The Best Employment Support Measure… You!9. Cognitive Bias and Support10. Diversity, Really?11. Do You Have Family Spirit?

A unique LinkedIn page!A page gathering all professionals interested in employment and disability discussing current topics, with 613 new subscribers, for a total of 1099 professionals from across Canada, as of March 31, 2019.

www.workandabilities.ca

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Our ClienteleIn the year 2017-2018, in collaboration with hundreds of partners, SPHERE has provided support to 1,435 job applicants experiencing a situation of professional disability because of a physical, mental or intellectual condition.

Clientele According to the Age Group16-25 years: 51%26-35 years: 24%36-45 years: 10%46-55 years: 9%56-65 years: 6%66 years and over: 0%

Clientele According the Type of ConditionAuditory: 3%Autism/PDD: 10%Psychic: 22%Intellectual: 16%Motor: 10%Organic: 2%Visual: 2%Speech and language: 8%ADD/ADHD: 13%Other: 13%

Some participants have more than one disability.

Clientele According to the Level of EducationElementary: 11%High school: 68%College: 13%University: 8%

Clientele According to End Date of Last JobLess than 5 years: 53%Over 5 years: 9%Over 10 years: 5%Never had a job: 33%

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Results

Financial Statement for the year ending March 31, 2019 (Estimate for presentation)

The complete Financial Statements are available upon request. To ensure that the activities of SPHERE conform to the conditions related to its financing, the accounting firm Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton has prepared and issued a review engagement report.

Amount

Income

Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disablities

Regional Projects $2,712,532

National Projects 2 $1,362,105

Youth Strategy – Skills Link $1,216,227

Other Non-Program Revenues $13,107

Total $5,304,034

Expenses

Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disablities

Regional Projects $2,712,532

• Assistance to participants* $1,641,169

• Project costs* $793,404

• Operating costs* $277,959

National Projects 2 $1,362,105

• Assistance to participants * $785,505

• Project costs* $439,775

• Operating costs* $136,825

Youth Strategy – Skills Link $1,117,731

• Assistance to participants* $704,398

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• Projects costs* $383,039

• Operating costs* $30,294

Other non-program expenses $2,249

Total $5,194,617

Operation profit (deficiency) $109,417

* Estimate for presentation

Assistance to Participants by Budget Items

Costs Amount %

Participant wages and payroll contributions $1,436,952 46%

Income support benefit $178,720 6%

Adapted Equipment $116,376 4%

Coaching $885,475 28%

Adaptation fees $16,536 1%

Professional fees $337,103 11%

Transportation $35,234 1%

Other $124,676 4%

Total $3,131,072 100%

Related Contributions (for information)

Contributors Amount

Employers $1,002,450

Self-employed workers and other financial partners

$182,000

Total $1,184,450

Results after being supported by SPHEREAt school: 9%

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Self-employed: 4%Employed: 64%Unemployed: 23%

Distribution by Employment TypeExecutive personnel: 0%Support personnel: 17%Day labourers: 72%Professional personnel: 3%Technical personnel: 4%Specialized personnel: 5%

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A Mom’s TestimonyThe purpose of this letter is to voice my great satisfaction and gratitude for the My Station project of the Impulsion School of the Laval School Board. If not for this program and its dedicated staff, our son would absolutely not have been able to get a job.

He has completed several internships in the past and received some support from various organizations, but nothing had yet allowed him to be sufficiently supported to apply and get a job.The My Station program helped our son to develop essential work skills. Parallel work to find potential employers and links to industry is essential. Our son, because of his difficulties, could not make himself representations to potential employers. Congratulations for your interventions.

At this time, our son has been working since February 7, 2 or 3 days a week as a packer in a production plant. This job he could not have obtained without the My Station program and the intervention of the dedicated staff of your school turns out to be so far very stimulating, rewarding and encouraging for him.This job is challenging for our son, but he has the feeling of contributing to the active life at work. In addition, getting a salary brings value and self-esteem, essential and invaluable to one's development and self-confidence and one's future. Our son is more optimistic about life and proud too.

I am grateful to all the other people who believed and participated in the program. Our son experienced personal growth. As he said, 2018 was his year!

Thank you very much,A very satisfied mom

My Station is a project that aims at mastering social and professional skills related to non-specialized targeted employment sectors and the development of socio-professional abilities (knowledge, know-how and attitudes) and the experimentation of workstations targeting tasks in these different sectors. SPHERE supports the My Station project by providing, for example financial support for the attendant's salary and the employment integration afterwards.

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