Alex Smyth previews Project Search

By Alex Smyth

As someone who lives with a disability, I’ve always had an interesting relationship with the job market. My choices for employment have always been narrowed by the physical limitations of my sight and hearing. I have been able to work in a variety of fields that didn’t feel limiting due to my disability, but I did, however, have a smaller pool of jobs to choose from. 

The number of times I have automatically been excluded by a posting due to the phrase “must possess a valid driver’s licence” is far too high to count. That said, despite those challenges and limited opportunities when given the chance to showcase my skills and abilities I have been successful. Why am I talking about my struggles with work? Because I can guarantee almost every single person who identifies as having a disability will have a similar or worse experience than mine. 

That’s why programs that support, train and provide opportunities for the disability community to gain work experience are so critical to ensuring that members of the community are given a chance. Project Search Toronto, operated by Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, along with six other organizations, is a program working to tackle that issue. 

Their program provides full-year work experience and transition-to-work development that is rarely offered for students with disabilities. In a critical time where youth are getting into their first jobs and gaining valuable experience, this program works to ensure that members of the disability community get that same chance. Focused within Holland Bloorview, the students in the program are working towards a career in the healthcare industry, so having the chance to spend the year working in a top-class facility like Holland Bloorview is hugely beneficial. 

Currently operating with 10 students at a time, the program allows participants to experience the work environment in a number of different departments and have the ability to move from department to department for each placement. While there, I met Keon, who was working at the welcome desk; Alex, who was working with client services; and Marija, who was working with child-care. All of them raved about the program, the teachers, and the experience. 

The program coordinators and teachers I met reiterated the impact that Project Search has on those who participate. I’ve always felt like experience is so valuable for any job, and that’s what helps separate this program from other co-ops that are available for students. They don’t get the amount of work experience that these students do. They may get a few weeks or a few months on a job, but in this program, it’s the full year. 

And not only do the students work, but they are learning skills that are applicable to the field, and to the independent worker as well. From WHMIS training to learning how to navigate the bus and subway, to learning how to disclose their disabilities during the interview process, these are all valuable lessons and experiences that will stay with the students after they graduate from the program. 

When I come across stories and services like Project Search, it tends to leave me a bit disheartened because I know the 10 students in that program are set up for success which is fantastic, but I then think of all of those who aren’t in a program like this, whether it was because they didn’t get into one or they didn’t know that these opportunities were available, and how much harder it is going to be for them to find meaningful work opportunities. 

While different in nature, when I was in school for journalism, I was selected for an internship that was established for students with disabilities. It was a huge opportunity for me to get my first real taste of the industry and gave me that valuable experience that I would not have gotten otherwise. Without that internship, I don’t know if I would be in the position that I am in today. So, I know first-hand how important these programs are for members of the disability community.

Hopefully, greater awareness and appreciation for the impact of employment programs like Project Search will lead to a place where all students with disabilities will have the same opportunities to reach their career goals and enjoy a career they love, just like me. 

Learn more about Project Search by tuning in to AMI This Week on Monday, December 20, at 8 p.m. Eastern on AMI-tv. 

Want to read more from Alex? Search his name!

Image courtesy of the Project Search Toronto Classroom team.