An innovative three-year pilot project to improve employment outcomes for transitioning youth with disabilities.
What we are doing:
During IMPACT, eight BCEN members will partner with the Canadian Institute for Inclusion and Citizenship (UBC) in a research and innovation pilot project to enhance employment-related planning and supports for transitioning youth (15-19 years or Grades 10-13) with developmental disabilities and/or autism, who are preparing to move from secondary school to post-secondary school and/or employment.
Why:
This project was developed in response to the low employment rate of people with developmental disabilities in our province. Research demonstrates that starting early is one of the predictors of later employment outcomes. The project will test the hypothesis that intervening early with Transitioning Youth using Employment Interventions that consider each individual’s unique strengths and interests will improve their future employment outcomes. IMPACT will involve up to 300 youth across BC, over three years.
How:
During this project, transitioning youth will have the opportunity to participate in a program designed to improve their transition planning, and other employment outcomes such as self-determination. They will also have opportunity to explore different kinds of employment and have access to additional transitioning supports.
The participating BCEN members include Burnaby Association for Community Inclusion, Chilliwack Society for Community Living, Community Living Victoria, Delta Community Living Society, Inclusion Langley Society, posAbilities, Richmond Society for Community Living, and UNITI.
This research and innovation project has been made possible with financial support from the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction.
IMPACT Project Participant Stories
Project Reports:
Read the Cohort 1 Report (January 2021) here:
Read the Cohort 2 Report (January 2022) here:
For more information about the IMPACT Project, Contact
IMPACT
Project Manager
