Humber Polytechnic is helping learners with disabilities build the skills needed to succeed in the workplace through its Transition to Work program, which combines career programming, self-advocacy learning resources and financial support.
The initiative reflects Humber's broader commitment to helping address Canada's productivity challenges, a priority outlined in President and CEO Dr. Ann Marie Vaughan's "Productivity Now" report.
According to Statistics Canada, more than 741,000 working-age Canadians with disabilities have the potential to work if the right supports are available, highlighting the importance of initiatives like Transition to Work that help remove barriers to employment.
Part of Humber's Advising and Career Services department within Student Success and Engagement, Transition to Work provides career education and individualized support for learners with disabilities. Many of its services are also available to alumni.
With support from three years of funding from CIBC, the program developed the Self-Advocacy Learning (SAL) project in collaboration with Humber's Innovative Learning team.
The project includes five online microlearning modules for students and a free online toolkit featuring self-advocacy resources available through Humber's Career Services website.
"If we can train our learners and graduates to effectively self-advocate, I believe it will increase their chances of securing meaningful employment," said Elaine Belanger-Porter, student success advisor.
Belanger-Porter said SAL helps learners build self-advocacy skills that support communication, professionalism, critical thinking and problem solving while preparing them to communicate their strengths, request workplace accommodations when needed and navigate the hiring process with confidence.
The program also supports learners through the Abilities in Action Scholarship, which recognizes students with disabilities and helps reduce financial barriers to education. The scholarship complements the Self-Advocacy Learning project by helping reduce financial barriers so learners can pursue their education and career goals.
Transition to Work continues to provide career support, accessible learning resources and financial assistance for learners with disabilities. By helping learners build self-advocacy skills and prepare for employment, the program supports broader efforts to strengthen Canada's workforce by helping more learners participate in meaningful employment.
Students interested in learning more about Transition to Work, the Self-Advocacy Learning project or the Abilities in Action Scholarship can visit Humber's Career Services website.
