Accessibility supports and resources

Co-op Student Experience Manager (CSEM), Accessibility

This advocate supports accessibility within the co-op process. They work to remove barriers for students with known or suspected disabilities. The CSEM Accessibility emphasizes relationship and resource building. They also lead ongoing education and professional development initiatives for students and staff.

To learn more about resources available within co-op please contact us.

Co-op Accommodation Support Pathway (CASP)

For students with known or suspected disabilities, Co-operative Education provides support in meeting your employment accessibility requirements. We do so through the Co-op Accommodation Support Pathway (CASP). This optional and individualized support pathway guides students throughout their employment experience.

Co-op and EDGE students can access this resource at any time by reaching out to co-op.accessibility@uwaterloo.ca to schedule an appointment with the Co-op Student Experience Manager (Accessibility). Students can expect to receive assistance with:

• connecting to on and off-campus resources
• understanding disability disclosure
• exploring academic and employment accommodations
• improving communication support with employer(s)
• updating information in WaterlooWorks.

Co-op advisors

Each co-op student has a co-op advisor who supports them throughout their co-op career at Waterloo, including when applying and interviewing and throughout their co-op work terms. Co-op advisors have specific knowledge of your academic program, skillset and co-op journey. They can answer any questions about co-op recruitment and work terms and are dedicated to helping you succeed.

Centre for Career Development

The Centre for Career Development (CCD) helps students (undergraduate or graduate), postdoctoral fellows, alumni and employees explore career opportunities.

Career advisors are available to support you on your career journey. Career advisors can assist with career advice, career management strategies or graduate and professional school preparation.

Workshops and events are designed to help you build skills for the future. The CCD can help with résumé writing, interview skills or career support.

CareerHub is an online resource with information and activities designed to provide opportunities to prepare for your career.

• CareerHub provides information and tips on disclosing a disability. Learn about accommodation rights, the supervisor’s duty to accommodate and resources on accommodation eligibility.

Searching for co-op or permanent employment opportunities? In addition to searching for jobs within WaterlooWorks, consider off-campus employment support services to learn about opportunities across a variety of industries and fields.

Please note that many of the organizations who hire through WaterlooWorksalso recruit through these organizations. The difference is the specialized accessibility 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.
• Can Win helps employers meet workforce needs by connecting job seekers with disabilities to accessible employers acrossBritish Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario.
• Career Edge is Canada's largest provider of paid internships. Their goal is to help recent graduates, people with disabilities, skilled newcomers to Canada and 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.
• My Job Match is a digital process tool that capturesjob seekers skills and career goals to match employee profiles withemployers.
• The Job Centre providesa 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.
• Youth Employment Services (YES) is the Canadian leader in providing life-changing employment training and job placement for youth with 25 programs available.

• 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 is an inventory of hundreds of career pathsand 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 self-declared as persons with disabilities. It provides support to employees with disabilities during their work term with the federal public service career.
• INNoVA Employment Strategies Exchange (ESX) is a job board offering a dedicated space for job postings by employers offering inclusive employment.