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Employment Strategy for Persons with Disabilities


Category Overview

Effective: July 01, 2007

The Government of British Columbia recognizes that persons with disabilities want to achieve greater independence for themselves and their families. They want to contribute to their communities by volunteering or working, as they are able.

The Ministry of Housing and Social Development introduced the Employment Strategy for Persons with Disabilities that focuses on developing a broad range of new skills training services and employment-related programs to assist persons with disabilities into the labour market and to improve their employment outcomes.

Components of the Employment Strategy for Persons with Disabilities include:

  • Employment Program for Persons with Disabilities (EPPD) 

EPPD provides a range of specialized services to help persons with disabilities participate in their communities, pursue their employment goals as they are able, increase their self-reliance and build skills and experience that may lead to further employment or volunteer opportunities.  Participation in EPPD is voluntary.  Employment under EPPD includes part time or full time paid employment, self employment or volunteer employment.

  • Self-Employment Program (SEP)

SEP is a program of income reviews which determine business deductions and exemptions for the use of eligible PWD or PPMB clients who are, or wish to become, self-employed.

  • Minister's Council on Employment For Persons with Disabilities

The Minister's Council establishes a partnership between government, business, education, community-based organizations and persons with disabilities - all with the aim of increasing the employment, employability and independence of persons with disabilities.

Link to internet: http://www.eia.gov.bc.ca/epwd/Index.htm

  • Disability Supports for Employment Fund (Vancouver Foundation) 

The Ministry of Housing and Social Development has established a $25 million Disability Supports for Employment Fund to be administered by the Vancouver Foundation. This fund was created to provide specialized accommodation, tools and services to support people with disabilities in the workplace.

Link to internet: http://www.eia.gov.bc.ca/pwd/support.htm