June 24, 2015 – The Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) is pleased to announce the launch of a new grant program, the Abilities Connect Fund. This initiative aims to raise awareness among employers about the benefits of hiring, integrating, and retaining people with disabilities in the workplace.
As highlighted in the 2013 OCC report, Building Bridges: Linking Employers to Postsecondary Graduates with Disabilities, approximately 46,700 students with disabilities are enrolled in colleges and universities across
This pilot program has two funding streams:
1. Valuing Abilities Employment supports the hiring and training of college/university students or recent graduates with disabilities. The maximum an organization can receive is $20,000 for up to four employees; and
2. Valuing Abilities Workplace Solutions supports the purchase of assistive devices, specialized training, and assessments for new or current employees with disabilities. The maximum grant an organization can receive for this stream is $3,000.
In 2005, the
For more information, please visit www.abilitiesconnect.ca or contact Lesley Cole, 416-482-5222 x2390.