The Delta Community Living Society will be partnering with researchers from the University of British Columbia this summer in an innovative project to improve employment outcomes for older teenagers with developmental disabilities or autism.
The IMPACT youth employment research project, which kicks off this month, is seeking youth 15 to 19 and employers to participate. IMPACT will build on the success of other programs offered by the society for the past six years.
“DCLS has offered a youth employment program each summer since 2014. We have seen lots of positive outcomes for the youth who have participated each year, such as increased independence, improved self-esteem and access to employment opportunities,” says society executive director Anita Sihota. “Partnering with UBC and other agencies this year, we look forward to seeing the research project confirm best practices and produce objective data to back up our anecdotal findings.”
The project has been made possible because of a partnership with other agencies across the province and through financial support from the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty
Reduction.
“We are really excited about the kick-off of this project, but we need more youth and more employers to join us this year,” says Annette Borrows, the society’s employment strategy manager.
“Research in workplaces with people with developmental disabilities has found that, as employees, people with diverse abilities are dependable, have high productivity and great attendance records. And the business that hires people with developmental disabilities enjoys lower employee turnover and higher job satisfaction among all employees.”
Borrows says in 2019, the rate of employment among people with developmental disabilities was only 24 per cent, and there is evidence the rate among youth with developmental disabilities is even lower.
“We aim to change that here in B.C. with our IMPACT project,” says Borrows.
The Delta Community Living Society is a non-profit, community based-organization that provides support to people with developmental disabilities and their families. To learn more about how to participate as a student, volunteer or employer with the IMPACT project, email aborrows@dcls.ca or call 604-308-8122.
