Ontario Disability Support Program Brochure

Employment Supports

The Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) recognizes that people with disabilities can work.

ODSP Employment Supports can help you prepare for and find a job - even if you have never worked before, have been out of work for some time, or are in school.

Once you start working, you can also get assistance to keep your job or to advance your career.

Eligibility

ODSP Employment Supports help people who have a wide range of disabilities.

To be eligible for Employment Supports, you must:

Be 16 years of age or older
Be a resident of Ontario, and
Have a disability that is expected to last a year or more, and your disability makes it hard for you to find or keep a job.

Participation in Employment Supports is voluntary.

You do not have to be receiving ODSP Income Support to be eligible for Employment Supports.

ODSP Employment Supports

Employment Supports provide job placement assistance and job retention supports to people with disabilities.

The ODSP can arrange for a community service provider to work with you and your employer to make sure your job is a good fit and to help resolve problems you may have while you are working.

Or, if you want to become self-employed, ODSP Employment Supports may be able to help you start your business. More information about self-employment is available at your local ODSP office.

Some examples of the supports that may be available include:

Job coaching
On-the-job training
Adaptive software and mobility devices
Interpreter/intervenor services
Transportation assistance
Assistive devices and training to use them
Tools and equipment
Special clothing
Specialized computer training
Other items you may need for work.

Working While Receiving ODSP Income Support

If you are receiving ODSP Income Support and want to work, you may be eligible for additional benefits to help you cover the costs of working, such as:

Disability-related items you may need to do your job, such as specialized equipment or attendant care services
Licensed or unlicensed child care
Items like work uniforms, equipment and professional fees.

A portion of your earnings will be deducted from your ODSP Income Support. But between your earnings, your income support and employment-related benefits, you will have more money when you are working than from your income support alone.

Dispute Resolution

If you do not agree with a decision about your ODSP file, contact your local ODSP office. If you would like advice from a community legal clinic, call Legal Aid Ontario at 416-979-1446 or 1-800-668-8258.

Need More Information?

For more information, please contact your worker through your local ODSP office.

For general inquiries, please contact:
Ministry of Community and Social Services
Telephone: 1-888-789-4199
Teletypewriter (TTY): 1-800-387-5559
www.mcss.gov.on.ca

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