Employment Services
The Employment Services program at BALANCE for Blind Adults began in 2006 and supports blind or visually impaired job seekers in finding and maintaining employment.
- Who is eligible?
- How does it work?
- How long does the program last?
- What will I be doing and what are the benefits?
- Does BALANCE offer self-employment services?
- Employment Services and Access Technology
- Strategic Employment Solutions partnership
- How do I apply?
Who is eligible?
BALANCE Employment Services is available to anyone who is blind or vision impaired and eligible for the O.D.S.P. Employment Supports program. You do not have to be receiving O.D.S.P. to qualify. On entry into the program through O.D.S.P., a BALANCE employment specialist will meet with you to determine your employment readiness. This is based on your work skills and on your motivation to find employment.
How does BALANCE Employment Services work?
BALANCE staff work with you as partners in finding employment. We begin by assessing your skills and helping you develop a job search plan. We provide job search techniques, and assistance in following up job leads.
How long does the program last?
Finding a job depends on motivation and focus. If your career goals change and you need to withdraw from the program to develop new skills, you can enroll again later. Once you have found employment, BALANCE can work with you and your employer to ensure that your work environment remains open and accessible.
What will I be doing and what are the benefits?
BALANCE Employment Services provide coaching and support. We help with job searches, job applications, interview procedures, and identifying workplace accommodations. We can connect you with community services specializing in skill development. We also provide individual and group sessions to strengthen job search skills. BALANCE continues to offer coaching after you have found work and can provide employer education to ensure workplace accommodation.
Does BALANCE offer self-employment services?
No. However, the Toronto Business Development Centre (T.B.D.C.) offers self-employment services. T.B.D.C. can be contacted at 416 345-9437 or by email at torbiz@tbdc.com. BALANCE is open to working with T.B.D.C. and similar agencies in terms of access technology, orientation and mobility or other accommodations specific to blindness or visual impairment.
Employment Services and Access Technology
BALANCE has been working with access technology since 2001 and understands that technology can be an equalizer in the work environment. At our training centre in downtown Toronto, we offer upgrading courses in assistive technology applications like JAWS, ZoomText, Kurzweil, Window Eyes and more.
Strategic Employment Solutions partnership
BALANCE for Blind Adults is partnered with Strategic Employment Solutions (S.E.S.), a network of job developers and employment specialists working to connect qualified job seekers with disabilities to job opportunities within the city of Toronto. Visit S.E.S. at strategicemploymentsolutions.ca
How do I apply?
Applying for BALANCE Employment Services involves two steps:
- Complete the BALANCE Employment Services Interest and Eligibility Form and send it to BALANCE by email or fax.
- Complete the Employment Supports Application Form on the O.D.S.P. Employment Supports website.
To find out more about our Employment Services program, contact the BALANCE for Blind Adults office or visit the Resources page on our website.