MentorAbility Canada

June 27, 2019

MentorAbility

MentorAbility

A mentoring initiative to promote employment of people who have disabilities.

March of Dimes Canada is proud to partner with the Ontario Disability Employment Network to offer MentorAbility in Ontario.

What is MentorAbility?
A CASE national initiative, which promotes the employment of people with disabilities in communities large and small throughout all Canadian provinces and territories. MentorAbility is spearheaded by local coordinators who develop and deliver a full or half day mentoring experience in which job seekers with disabilities are matched with individual mentors – to explore career opportunities and what they need to get ahead in their desired field of interest.

Who Can Be a Mentor? 
Any individual business leader who is interested in meeting a talented, motivated student or job seeker with disabilities is welcome to become a mentor. Mentors are working professionals with area businesses or organizations who can dedicate time during mentoring day to meet and spend time with their protégé. MentorAbility provides private businesses, non-profit organizations and public sector employers with an opportunity to help promote the employment of people with disabilities, learn more about individual disability experiences, recognize talent and potential, develop lasting relationships with disability community leaders, tap into a pool of potential future employees, demonstrate community leadership, and also attract positive media attention. Employers can get involved by encouraging employees and managers to serve as volunteer mentors.

Who Can Be a Protégé?
People with disabilities who are students or actively seeking employment are welcome to participate and become matched with a mentor who is working in your career area of interest. Proteges will submit an application to their local coordinator who will then work to facilitate a placement opportunity. People with any kind or level of disability are welcome – this is a cross disability initiative. The only qualifier to participation is a strong and genuine desire to work in the community.

Who Can Be a Local Coordinator? 
Any CASE (Canadian Association for Supported Employment) affiliated member can be a local coordinator; local coordinators can be rehabilitation professionals working for local employment agencies, educators, disability community leaders, business and labour leaders etc. Any individual or organization with a genuine interest in promoting employment and the full inclusion of people with disabilities is welcome to join. For more information about CASE www.supportedemployment.ca

How Do We Get Involved? 
Employers and people with disabilities are invited to contact their local coordinator to discuss mentoring day participation. To find out more please contact:

Lisa Livingston
Regional Employment Services Manager
March of Dimes Canada (MODC)
866-380-0758 ext 262
llivingston@marchofdimes.ca​​

​The MentorAbility Canada Project is a CASE national initiative funded in part by the Government of
Canada’s Opportunities Fund.

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