2007 – 2008 ANNUAL REPORT

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CCRW Annual Report Year Ending March 31, 2008

Report of the Chair and Chief Executive Officer The CCRW recognizes employment is the most basic link between social and economic development. The importance of social and resource networks cannot be understated in relation to supporting persons with disabilities as they obtain employment and develop in their careers. The CCRW Business Development Strategic Plan has articulated the direction for achieving market focus, entry into new target markets and support in the evaluation of the effectiveness of our activities. As outlined in the Annual Report, this business model continues to enable CCRW to align our infrastructure to further support persons with disabilities and employers during the employment life cycle. In 2007-08, the CCRW achieved a milestone in its revenue generation, realizing $3.33 million from government and non-government sources. Results achieved in employment programs attest to the work being completed in providing high-quality, customized skills development programs that are making a difference in helping employers create an inclusive workplace.

Strategic action through strong participation in the community-based sector is an effective means of creating the foundation, confidence, and climate needed for the development of new economic opportunities and the growth of organizational programs and services. During this past year, a National Conference Planning Committee has been working to respond to the need for the development of a National Employment Delivery framework. The “Employment Now!” National Conference is set for October 2008 and will bring together persons with disabilities, employers and broad range of community agencies to identify and articulate strategies for action. We will continue to innovate and measure our success so we can ensure the delivery of quality programs and initiatives. The work is not without challenges, however we are confident of our ongoing progress as we move forward in 2008-09. We extend our appreciation and thanks to the members of the Board of Directors for their leadership and support, to CCRW staff for their work in embracing the strategies for success and to our funding agencies and stakeholders for continued financial support. The combined synergy affirms persons with disabilities have abilities enabling successful employment.

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Partners for Workplace Inclusion Program (PWIP)

In 2007-2008, 597 eligible clients reaped the benefits from the four employability dimensions provided through the PWIP. Staff in each of the five sites provided support to clients in career decision making and exploration, skills enhancement, job search strategies, and employment maintenance.

Overall statistics were impressive with an increase in the number of eligible clients. Community agencies referred 428 clients to PWIP representing a 66 per cent increase from the previous year and over 194 clients were self referrals representing a 29 per cent increase over the previous year. In total, 195 clients gained meaningful full time or part time employment. PWIP staff worked with their clients in obtaining unique ways to facilitate employment ready skills development opportunities. A wide range of training courses were accessed by clients that included banking, reflexology, customer service, photography, security guard, truck driver training, computer skill enhancement in Microsoft Word and Excel and basic computer literacy and computer fundamentals. PWIP sites in NL, NB, MB, SK and BC continue to provide individual or group in-house training for clients as required. For many new clients, the employment barriers experienced results from long term unemployment, sporadic or non-existent work experience. Workshops and sessions

conducted by PWIP staff offered job seekers information on job search, how to budget, interview tips, resume building, steps to success in the workplace (transition to work) and life skills training. PWIP provides employment services for job seekers with disabilities. Developed by the Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work (CCRW) and funded by Opportunities Fund, Government of Canada, PWIP works with employers and community based organizations to enhance employment opportunities. A client focused, one-stop service program, PWIP offers full, case-managed support and assistance to persons with disabilities in identifying, improving, and overcoming barriers faced in obtaining, maintaining and retaining employment.

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INCLUSION BY DESIGN®

INCLUSION BY DESIGN® is a diversity-planning tool for employers. This innovative, five-module toolbox will lead organizations through a comprehensive planning process to understand, assess, develop and implement a diversity strategy that will translate into a more inclusive workplace. A plan that reaps the benefits of retention, creativity, productivity and profitability.

The CCRW research project, Diversity Planning for Inclusive Employment, articulated the struggle employers face with their ability to hire and retain a diverse workforce. With the aging population and shrinking labour force, diversity has become essential to the success of businesses. Where do we start? Where are we now with diversity? And, how do we move the diversity agenda forward?

The concept of designing a Canadian based, one stop diversity-planning tool for employers was presented to the CCRW Board of Directors during the Annual General Meeting held in Toronto in October 2007. The Board of Directors enthusiastically gave their stamp of approval and the research for this product began.

An employer advisory group comprised of employers from across the country provided input into the content of each module. In March 2008, thirty employers in the Moncton NB area participate in a two-hour training program to dissect the diversity planning process and to review the process outlined in the toolbox. This trial was very successful with 100% positive feedback from employers.

The official release of INCLUSION BY DESIGN® is in October 2008 at the CCRW National Employment Now! Conference. During this release, employer groups in Newfoundland will be introduced to the product and its process. By request, CCRW will also be delivering training to employers in British Columbia in November 2008.

INCLUSION BY DESIGN® Modules include:

Understanding Diversity: The business case for a diverse and inclusive workplace

Engaging Leadership: Roles and responsibilities of leadership and the diversity visioning process

Assessing the Diversity Landscape: Tools and Techniques to assess existing diversity strengths and barriers

Developing the Diversity Plan: Turning assessment outcomes to strategic objectives

Implementation Strategies: Monitoring progress

This product will be available to employers using a variety of options such as purchasing the product as a stand-alone tool, purchasing the product and training, or outsourcing the entire diversity planning process to CCRW.

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Employment Services (ES) – Workplace Inclusion Program

Ninety-one new clients opened files with Employment Services (ES) bringing a total of 182 clients served over the 2007/08 contract year. Persons with physical, sensory and learning disabilities are served in the Moncton Office. During the 2007-08 contract year, Employment Services staff began to accept referrals for persons with Aspergers (a form of Autism). Employment Services were delivered throughout the south east region of New Brunswick. Staff worked closely with other disability related agencies, employment agencies and employer partners throughout this region, delivering awareness and sensitivity information to employers and other training agencies. This work supports breaking down barriers and increasing employment opportunities for persons with disabilities residing in this geographical region. By the end of the contract year, March 31, 2008, 55 clients had secured employment. Thirty-nine were successfully employed with files closed, 2 were successfully self-employed with their files closed and 14 clients were working awaiting the completion of the 12-week employment maintenance period. Wages ranged from $7.00/hour to $22.50/hour. Thirty-five persons with disabilities were supported during their upgrading or post secondary education studies and 10 skill enhancement projects have been coordinated and supported (Opportunity Funds, Skills Link and Workability).

Disability Awareness Week was one of our many successful partnerships this year that brought persons with disabilities, service providers, employers and various levels of community leadership together. Employment Services staff also participated is several community events including local job fairs and disability related focus groups. The Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work’s (CCRW) Employment Services program provides a broad range of services for persons with physical, sensory and learning disabilities. Funded by Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour through the Province of New Brunswick, Employment Services is an innovator of positive change. Through building on partnerships, promoting skills development, influencing attitudes and sharing knowledge, job seekers with disabilities receive support for job search, preparing for engaging careers and furthering educational opportunities.

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Workplace Essential Skills Partnership (WESP)

The Workplace Essential Skills Partnership (WESP) includes many innovative features based on specific aspects of the successful employment programs developed by the Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work (CCRW) over the past number of years.

One of the features of the WESP is our four week workshop designed to prepare eligible participants with the essential skills necessary to enter or re-enter the work-force. The highly inter-active curriculum offers hands on job search techniques, and includes topics such as Understanding Diversity in the Workplace, Workplace Culture and Etiquette, Workplace Accommodations and the most recent trends on employment issues combined with networking opportunities with employers.

There were 93 applicants who completed an intake into the WESP, and from that group a total of 83 were accepted. Ten clients did not qualify for the program and were referred to agencies or programs that better served their needs. In addition, there were 21 clients from the previous year for a total of 104 clients who received a range of services. A total of 46 participants attended one of the six skills enhancement workshops offered throughout the year.

The year resulted with 35 participants, who accessed WESP, being successfully employed. The Workplace Essential Skills Partnership is an employment program funded by the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities and is designed to enhance the employability skills of job seekers with disabilities in the greater Toronto areas (GTA).

“Thanks so much for all of your assistance and support. I

am truly grateful for all of your expert advice and understanding. I contribute my success in my new exciting role to you, the CCRW and CNIB, for funding such a terrific initiative.”

Anne Marie D’Andrea, Former WESP Client (Employed, RBC)

“I am so amazed by the service of WESP. I would never forget the support I got from the team. Whenever I got confused with the job description, with job offers, with the decisions I had to make, the WESP was always there

to assist me to make the best decision.”

Senay Temiz, WESP Client

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Youth Initiatives

Youth the Future programs have been developed and implemented based on the needs identified by the community, disability organizations and labour market shortages. Exits from jobs in customer service and hospitality have provided the CCRW youth projects with a focused concentration in this area. In 2007-08, four Youth the Future programs funded by Service Canada Skills Link were delivered in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Saint John, New Brunswick and two in Oshawa, Ontario, The goal of these pre-employment skills development programs is threefold: to secure employment, to return to school or be referred for additional interventions and to achieve either employment or school. The Youth the Future program workshops include: pre-employment skills development in communication, time management, budgeting, group dynamics, job search, career planning and presentation skills. Over 105 youth with disabilities, between the ages of 15 and 30, participated in the four programs resulting in: 42 becoming employed, 29 returning to school for upgrading or post secondary education and 35 participants were referred to other community agencies for additional employment interventions. Each participant, who has been enrolled in Youth the Future, leaves with a new sense of direction and attainment of new life skills. Youth the Future programs are capturing the interest of employers and communities across the country…. recognizing “Youth is the Future”.

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eLearning - Disability Awareness Series (DAS) ® – Just a Click Away!

With funding from the Government of Canada, Social Development Partnership Program, Office for Disability Issues (ODI), the CCRW has developed an online, bilingual, cost effective and efficient training resource designed to enhance and increase “disability awareness” for employers and employees across Canada. This resource entitled An employer’s guide to the A’s, B’s & C’s of Disability, is a basic module that introduces you to disabilities and the barriers encountered by persons with cross disabilities in the workplace. This individualized, self-paced disability awareness training will support updating skills by providing tools and resources to support and create inclusive workplaces for both employers and persons with disabilities. The Disability Awareness Series (DAS)® series now includes:

New: An employer’s guide to the A’s, B’s & C’s of Disability (Un) Stereotyping Disability Finding the Right Fit (Accessible Hiring Practices) Making It Work (The Duty to Accommodate) Retaining your Top Talent It Never Crossed My Mind (Inclusive Practices in the Workplace)

eLearning addresses the growing concerns of many employers in need of accessing human resources to support recruitment and retention without having to leave their business to do it! Official Launch of eLearning Disability Awareness Series (DAS)® will be held during the CCRW Employment Now! National Conference, October 6, 2008 in St. John’s, NL.

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Job Accommodation Service (JAS)®

The main focus and priority of the Job Accommodation Service (JAS) ® team during the fiscal year 2007-2008 has been once again to maintain its high standard of service delivery to its existing clients, as well as to reach out to new clients. Service level agreements with Royal Bank of Canada, TD Bank Financial Group, and Scotiabank were renewed. The JAS successfully delivered 380 consultations and assessments across Canada, with the volume of referrals sent to the JAS being augmented by 15.5 per cent in comparison to the previous 2 fiscal years. This resulted in a substantial increase in total revenues.

New and renewed clients have contracted the JAS including the Department of Justice, Veterans Affairs Canada, Bank of Montreal, HSBC, Norton, LL Lozeau LTD, Manulife, and ShepellFGI. JAS also provided service to 28 WESP clients and completed 4 workplace accommodation assessments for CCRW PWIP staff, 1 CCRW JAS staff, and 4 for trainees of the CCRW Calling on Corporate Ontario Program. JAS was a presenter at the Canadian Association of Career Educators and Employers (CACEE) event on

December 5, 2007. Internally, JAS presented to the PWIP employees across Canada and the WESP (GTA) participants regarding the duty to accommodate and job accommodation. The Director was a member of the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum, Workplace Accommodation Project Committee, and was interviewed for the August 2007 issue of the Diversity in the Workplace online magazine at www.diversityintheworkplace.ca, the only Canadian online magazine on diversity.

The Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work’s (CCRW) Job Accommodation Service (JAS)® is a national consultative service for workplace accommodation solutions. The JAS team provides employers across Canada with advice, consultation and assessment services to assist in workplace accommodations, disability management, conflict prevention, and risk reduction of occupational disabilities. It acts as a vehicle for compiling and disseminating best practices in this field.

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Information Technology

WORKink®

WORKink® is a cross-disability employment portal whose mission is to facilitate communication, provide resource and information to enhance the equitable and meaningful employment of people with disabilities. WORKink® will be the leading online disability resource in the areas of employment and entrepreneurship.

It is organized as a multi-portal consisting of a National section and provincial/territorial sections. WORKink® services include:

• A recruitment tool for employers: job postings and resume screening

• Resume posting for job seekers with disabilities

• Links database to support services for persons with disabilities

• Articles, News Releases, Event postings

• YOUTHink

• Articles for Newcomers (Ontario and National sections)

• Youth-Ability in Skills Trades (YAST)

In addition, WORKink® provides descriptions of all other programs of CCRW, as well as contacts of the appropriate staff.

Fee for Service:

WORKink® will introduce a fee for service package, April 1st, 2008 which will enable us to offer a higher quality service to our clients and in keeping our competitive advantage with new job search sites that are created. The approved WORKink marketing plan 2006 contains a detailed outline of why and how WORKink® can become a source of revenue.

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The Career Portal for Youth Ability in Skilled Trades (YAST)

March 31, 2008 marks the second year of this two year program that looked into non-traditional employment opportunities for youth with disabilities, which, in this case, are the skilled trades. The project was given an extension to April 30th, 2008 and a new proposal was submitted to expand YAST to include sections for British Columbia and Nova Scotia. The YAST project has 4 phases and each phase has a 24 week program that promotes career opportunities for youth with disabilities by providing skills development enabling them to successfully complete and secure employment in their chosen field. The initial objective for the YAST program was to

support the skills development of 28 youth and this was exceeded by supporting 30 youth with disabilities. The YAST project is developing a better understanding and creating an awareness of skilled trade’s careers for youth (ages 15-30) with disabilities. This project is funded by Human Resources Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) Aboriginal and Youth Programs Directorate, Citizen and Community Service Branch, Career Focus. YAST is also supported by Partners for Workplace Inclusion Program (PWIP); EmployAbilities, Alberta; PEI Council of the Disabled; and WORKink®.

YAST addresses current and increasing labour market gaps in skilled trades industries, provides work experience to post-secondary graduates with disabilities and addresses the chronic underemployment of youth with disabilities by providing information about training, education and job roles within the skilled trades industry. .

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PWIP – A Success Story

Although we have had many successful clients through Partners for Workplace Inclusion Program (NL), we felt that Brenda’s story was one that deserved to be shared. Brenda is simply one of those people who has remained focused and positive throughout her journey toward securing meaningful employment.

Brenda entered the Program in 2006 and was eager to immerse herself fully in all that the Program had to offer. Brenda attended all the workshops and provided feedback and input to others. She was also active in her one-on-one sessions and was active in her own job search. Following her career exploration, Brenda set her sights on McDonald’s. She was focused on working in the front, greeting customers and keeping that area clean and inviting. With this in mind we contacted McDonald’s and they were very open to having Brenda as an employee. She began her job with McDonald’s in September of 2007 and remains there today.

Brenda is so proud to have set her sights on a job, going for it and being successful! We at PWIP could not be happier for Brenda and her accomplishments. Brenda continues to receive wonderful feedback from customers and staff. She has been asked to cross-train at McDonald’s and this has been empowering for her. It is this determination and focus that makes Brenda our success story.

Following are a few thoughts from Brenda on her experience with PWIP and in her job at McDonald’s thus far:

PWIP helped me with my resume and cover letter, put me through computer training, as well as taking me through their job search workshops, and continuing to support me during employment

The inclusion in the PWIP peer support meetings has meant a lot! I enjoy my job because I have the freedom to work at my own pace; they trust me to

get all my tasks done Customers recognize me and ask me for help when they need it and one couple told

me that they are impressed by how clean I keep the area. This made me feel great about my job!

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F inancial Overview – Fiscal Year 2007 – 2008 Bruce Smith, Treasurer

In the fiscal year 2007 – 2008, CCRW reached a significant milestone of $3.33 million revenue. Increased revenues from government sources ($2,778,925) and non-government sources ($555,042) supported CCRW in building reserves to face the challenges and uncertainties of the future. The charts below present an overview of CCRW’s operations for the fiscal year 2007 – 2008. The majority of CCRW’s revenues are from government sources for Employment Programs (83%) and revenues from Training and Consulting services (16%) remain stable as in the previous fiscal year. Expenditure on programs and services constitute a substantial portion of CCRW’s expenses that fulfill CCRW’s mission of enhancing employability and employment of persons with disabilities. We take this opportunity to thank CCRW’s Board of Directors for their ongoing support and CCRW staff for their efforts in achieving key targets. This is another successful year for CCRW. We operate in a very competitive environment. We are proud of the success of our programs and services that provide us with an advantage over our competitors.

Where the money came from in Where the money was used in 2007 - 2008 2007 – 2008

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Members

CCRW membership continues to grow to include individuals, governments, non-government organizations, non-profit organizations, and corporations. CCRW’s national network of people and organizations are committed to removing barriers to participation in the workforce.

CCRW MEMBERS Algoma University College Northern Lights Canada Agri-culture and Agri-foods Canada Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Centre B.E.S.T. Group Office of the Attorney General, NB Camosun College Office of Human Resources, Official Languages and Workplace Equity, NB Canadian Association of Rehabilitation Professionals – BC OneStep Carlton Victoria Community Vocational Board Inc. ORW City of Edmonton PricewaterhoueCoopers Community Inclusion Society, NS REDI Enterprises Community Service Centre, SK Royal Bank of Canada Cross Winds Occupational Activity Centre Ryerson Universities DisAbled Women’s Network (DAWN) Canada SaskTel EmployAbilities Scotiabank Employment Equity & Strategic Initiatives Division Seneca College Fisheries and Oceans Canada Shaw Cable HSBC Bank Canada SPHERE Quebec Holland College Supporting Employment Transitions Husky Energy TD Bank Financial Group Hutton House Toronto Rehabilitation Institute Leads Employment Services Inc. United Way of Lower Mainland, BC Manitoba Hydro University of Windsor MTS Allstream Vocational Consulting Group New Brunswick Association for Supported Services and Employment Vocational Pacific Ltd. Newfoundland Department of Human Resources, Labour & Employment

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CCRW offices/Project sites

NATIONAL OFFICE PARTNERS FOR WORKPLACE INCLUSION YOUTH ABILITY IN SKILLED TRADES (YAST) 111 Richmond Street West, Suite 401 PROGRAM (PWIP) CCRW NATIONAL OFFICE

Toronto, ON M5H 2G4 31 Peet Street, Suite 225 111 Richmond Street West, Suite 401

Phone: 416 260 3060 St. John's, NL A1B 3W8 Toronto, ON M5H 2G4

Fax: 416 260 3093 Phone: 709 754 4941 Phone: 416 260 3060

Fax: 709 754 5941 Toll free: 1 800 664 0925 WORKPLACE ESSENTIAL SKILLS TTY: 416 260 9223

PARTNERSHIP (WESP) 1320 - 61 Union Street 1929 Bayview Avenue Saint John, NB E2L 1A2 31 Peet Street, Suite 225 Toronto, ON M4G 3E8 Toronto, ON M4G 3E8 St. John's, NL A1B 3W8 Phone: 1 800 563 2642 Phone: 506 635 2272 Phone: 709 754 4941 Fax: 416 480 7700 Fax: 506 642 4268 Fax: 709 754 5941

CCRW EMPLOYMENT SERVICES 407-309 Hargrave Street 529 Main Street, Suite 100 529 Main Street, Suite 100 Winnipeg, MB R3B 2J8 Moncton, NB E1C 1C4 Moncton, NB E1C 1C4 Phone: 204 783 7946 Phone: 506 858 1650 Phone: 506 858 1650 Fax: 204 775 4119 Fax: 506 855 6776 Fax: 506 855 6776 201 21st St. East, Suite 302 407-309 Hargrave Street Saskatoon, SK S7K 0B8 Winnipeg, MB R3B 2J8 Phone: 306 373 4777 Phone: 204 783 7946 Fax: 306 373 4977 Fax: 204 775 4119 302 - 1160 Douglas Road 201 21st St. East, Suite 302 Burnaby, BC V5C 4Z6 Saskatoon, SK S7K 0B8 Phone: 604 439 7947 Phone: 306 373 4777 Fax: 604 439 7949 Fax: 306 373 4977 402, 10909 Jasper Avenue Edmonton AB T5J 3L9 Phone: 780 423 4106 Fax: 780 423 0029

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Community Agency Partners

EMPLOYABILITIES (WORKink®) 4th Floor, 10909 Jasper Avenue Edmonton, AB T5J 3L9 Phone: 780 423 4106 Fax: 780 423 0029

CNIB (WESP GTA) 1929 Bayview Avenue Toronto, ON M4G 3E8 Phone: 1 800 563 2642 Fax: 416 480 7700

PRUDE INC. 47 Charlotte Street, 3rd floor City Market Saint John, NB E2L 2H8 Phone: 506 634 3088

THE PARTICIPATION HOUSE PROJECT (YOUTH THE FUTURE) Unit 9, 1255 Terwillegar Ave Oshawa, ON L1J 7A4 Phone: 905 579 5267 Fax: 905 579 5281

WILLIS COLLEGE (CALLING CORPORATE ONTARIO) 85 O’Connor Street Ottawa, ON 1P 5M6 Phone: 613 233 1128 Fax: 613 233 9286

THE HUB 21 Merrymeeting Rd. St. John’s, NL A1C 2V6 Phone: 709 754 0352 Fax: 709 754 2110

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CCRW Board of Directors 2007-2008

Ontario New Brunswick Ms. Jacki Challenger Ms. Stéphanie Gionet Chair Legislative Services Vice President, Personal Banking Operations Legislative Counsel Service Delivery, Global Technology and Operations Office of the Attorney General RBC Financial Group Prince Edward Island Newfoundland Ms. Jill Wakelin Mr. Martin Cooney Learning Manager First Vice-Chair Human Services Programs Human Resources Advisor Holland College Fisheries and Oceans Canada Quebec British Columbia Ms. Nancy Moreau Mr. Bob Sheridan Managing Director Second Vice-Chair SPHERE-Québec Manager RBC, Group Risk Management, Credit – BC Manitoba Royal Bank of Canada Mr. Bill Neill Employment Equity Advisor Nova Scotia Manitoba Hydro Mr. Bruce Smith Treasurer Saskatchewan Senior Manager, Staffing and Planning Mr. Rolfe Antonowitsch Shared Services, Human Resources Environmental Analyst (Biodiversity) Scotiabank Agri-culture and Agri-foods Canada Alberta New Brunswick Ms. Pamela Wagner Mr. Doug Bridgman Recording Secretary Past Chair Associate Executive Director Policy Advisor Rehabilitation and Employment for Developing Independence Office of Human Resources (REDI) Enterprises Society Official Language & Workplace Equity