Welcome to this landing page!

The Ontario Disability Employment Network is a provincial wide network that brings together businesses and employment network providers to increase employment opportunities for job seekers who have a disability. ODEN’s vision is that all people who have a disability in Ontario have access to the labour force and the ability to achieve meaningful employment.

In 2021, funded by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Service, ODEN established the Youth Success Strategy – a research project that considered the barriers and opportunities that youth who have developmental disabilities experience as they prepare for a future that includes employment. The research had several key findings including that expectations of parents, caregivers, and educators, matter; and that youth who are encouraged and supported towards a future that includes employment are more successful.

The research also found that there are minimal employment program preparation experiences such as co-op education and volunteering which are accessible to youth who have a developmental disability, as well as supports and resources that are specifically tailored to eliminate the barriers that youth who have developmental disability face before they enter the workforce.

Now, in 2024, the Inclusion & Employment Awareness- Transitions to Work for Students with Developmental Disabilities project, funded by the Ontario Ministry of Education, revisits the concept that students with developmental disabilities face significant barriers to gain employability skills due to lack of tailored programs, access to early work-related experiences, and resources that can support the development of these skills. Families and educators also face difficulties accessing necessary supports. Clear, targeted resources can help improve outcomes by assisting educators, families, and caregivers in better preparing these students for employment.

This project will create resources for family, caregivers, students and educators across Ontario (in English and French) to assist and address transitions for students with developmental disabilities, at all stages of their school journey (JK to Grade 12) so that employment is considered as viable goal following graduation. 

We hosted a number of information sessions as a first step to bring awareness to this project. You can view recordings of each session below.

Event #1 September 24 – 7-8 pm – Families and Caregivers (English)

Event # 2 September 25 – 11 am to 12 noon – Educators (English) 

Event # 3 September 26- 11 am to 12 noon – Educators (French)

Event # 4 September 26 – 7-8pm – Families (French)

These resources will be available in the Fall of 2024. We invite you to sign up today to access the digital learning modules and to download the resources that will be produced in this project. You can click on either of the buttons below to be directed to a sign up page. If you have any questions or require support to sign up, please contact Ingrid Muschta, Director of Special Projects & Innovation at imuschta@odenetwork.com.