Accessibility supports

AccessAbility Services

AccessAbility Services offers co-op support if you have any permanent, temporary or suspected disabilities. Topics for discussion can include accommodations, developing a care and support plan and/or receiving referrals to additional on-campus services. Contact AccessAbility Services to learn more.

Co-op advisors

All co-op students have an assigned co-op advisor who can help answer any co-op recruitment or work term questions you may have.

CareerHub

CareerHub provides information and tips on disclosing a disability. You can also learn about your rights to accommodation, the supervisor’s duty to accommodate and resources on accommodation eligibility. Read more on the Find Work inside Canada page of CareerHub.

Searching for co-op or permanent employment opportunities? In addition to searching for jobs within WaterlooWorks, consider signing up with any of the following to learn about jobs/opportunities across a variety of industries and fields. Please note that many of the organizations who hire through WaterlooWorks also recruit through the below organizations. The difference is the specialized support these organizations can offer.

• Abilities to work supports persons with disabilities in finding their future by connecting them with opportunities in employment, education or training. This was formely known as Coalition for Persons with Disabilities, Employment Access Program and has been operating since 1995.
• Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work provides many career services, including career exploration, training, and job support.
• Career Edge is Canada's largest provider of paid internships. Their goal is to help recent graduates, people with disabilities, skilled newcomers to Canada, current or former Canadian Armed Forces members launch their careers with organizations of all sizes from all sectors. 
• Disabilities Mentoring Day (DMD) is an annual Canadian one-day mentoring event where job-ready people with disabilities pair with companies in areas of interest that utilize the skills they have or are developing through training.
• Discover Ability Network is a job-matching online portal and resource that connects people with disabilities directly to Ontario employers.
• Lime Connect is a global non-profit organization with the mission to prepare and connect high-potential university students with disabilities to scholarships, internships, a fellowship program, and full-time careers with their corporate partners.
• Lutherwood (ACE Program) offers employment and self-employment supports for persons with disabilities, offering services that help clients find jobs or create their own job.
• March of Dimes offers a full range of Employment Services to help people with disabilities to develop employment plans, prepare for work, overcome employment barriers, and return to (or enter) the workforce.
• Specialisterne Canada is a national non-profit organization with the goal to facilitate the recruitment and employment of neurodiverse people. Neurodiversity is a term used to describe different kinds of human brains and minds. For the purpose of Specialisterne, neurodiversity includes individuals on the autism spectrum, ADHD/ADD, PDD-NOS, OCD, clinical anxiety, and other similar ways of being. For more information about this program, please contact Andrew Brunet (ceca.accessability@uwaterloo.ca)
• The Job Centre provides a range of employment supports to youth and adults with physical, mental health and developmental disabilities. Serving Burlington, Oakville, Mississauga, Brampton, Milton, Cambridge, Guelph, Waterloo Region and Georgetown in the Peel, Halton, and Municipality of Waterloo regions.
• Torchlight Services is a non-profit registered charity organization providing vocational support and opportunities for individuals with disabilities in Guelph and the surrounding area.

Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act

AODA is provincial law that aims to identify, remove and present barriers for people with disabilities. It applies to all levels of government, non-profits, and private sector businesses in Ontario.

CCRW Job Accommodation Service

If you’re in need of a workplace accommodation, your employer can contact the Job Accommodation Service to receive advice and practical workplace accommodation solutions.

Job Accommodation Network: SOAR

The Searchable Online Accommodation Resource (SOAR) is a database designed to let users explore various accommodation options for people with disabilities in work and educational settings.

Ontario Human Rights Commission: Duty to Accommodate

OHRC provides information on accommodation, rights, and responsibilities for employers and employees.

ABILITY Jobs

Ability jobs is the largest U.S. career board for people with disabilities, and also includes resources for job seekers.

Federal Student Work Experience Program

Explore hundreds of career paths and thousands of jobs that the Government of Canada has to offer. 

• The Employment Opportunity for Students with Disabilities is a national initiative under the Federal Student Work Experience Program for students who have selfdeclared as persons with disabilities. It provides support to employees with disabilities during their work term with the federal public service career. It features an onboarding process, training, activities and support services for both students and hiring managers.

INNoVA ESX (Employment Strategies Exchange)

A job board offering a dedicated space for job postings by employers offering inclusive employment.