Alis – Helping Albertans make informed decisions about their careers, learning, and employment

Share

This website uses cookies to give you a better online experience. By using this website or closing this message, you are agreeing to our cookie policy. More information
Alberta
alis
Alberta Supports Contact Centre

Toll Free 1-877-644-9992

Guest Account Sign In Sign Up
Add this page to a custom guide
Resources for People with Disabilities - alis
If you’re someone with a disability or work with someone with a disability, these resources can help.
Create a New Guide
Give your guide a nickname
Only you can see this nickname.
or cancel
Please complete the recaptcha and try again.
Choose a guide...

There was an error. Please try again.

This page is already listed in your guide. Please choose a different page to add.

Create New Guide What is an alis guide?
Alert

New service for Albertans! Connect with an alis career coach to get personalized advice and actionable next steps for your career, learning, or work. Book your career coach today.
©
istock.com/DisobeyArt
I have a disability or I work with someone with a disability

Plan Your Career

Coworkers high-five each other over a conference room table.
©
istockphoto.com/sturti
Tools and Resources

Career Paths That Work With Neurodiverse Strengths

If you are neurodivergent, you may well have important strengths that many employers need. When you understand how you work best and find the right supports, you can build a career in Alberta that truly fits you.
Person walking with a disabled student in school hallway.
©
istockphoto.com/kali9
Tools and Resources

Career Planning While Using Income and Disability Supports

When you’re living with a disability and money is tight, career planning can feel like a luxury. But it’s actually one of the most practical things you can do. Career planning is not about chasing a dream job. It’s about staying on solid ground and finding work that fits your life.
Youth having a discussion about a booklet outside
Tools and Resources

How to Get Support if You’re a Youth With a Disability

If you have a disability, your supports change when you turn 18. Learn about the programs and services you can get as an adult.
Tools and Resources

Talking About Your Invisible Disability

Many people in the workplace have an invisible disability, such as an anxiety disorder or lupus. This guide will help you decide if and when to tell people about your invisible disability.
Person helping another read
©
istock.com/xavierarnau
Tools and Resources

Resources for People with Low Literacy

If you prefer easy reading content, or offer career planning help to adults with low literacy or English language skills, these resources can help.

FutureConnect

Talk to a free alis Career Coach from home, by video or audio only. 

Explore Education and Training

Tools and Resources

Supports for Your Disability at School and Work

Depending on your disability, you might need certain programs or technologies to do well at school and on the job. There are many to choose from, and service providers can help find what’s right for you.
2 people walking down a sidewalk carrying books
©
iStock.com/simonkr
Tools and Resources

Planning for School When You Live With a Disability

When it comes to your education, you have many choices. If you plan well, you can find both the right education program and the right disability supports to help you succeed.
Smiling student in a classroom
©
iStock.com/FG Trade
Tools and Resources

Learning After High School: Inclusive Options for People With Developmental Disabilities

Many of Alberta’s post-secondaries offer inclusive programs for people with developmental disabilities. They give you the chance to learn, explore career opportunities, meet people, and prepare for life after school.

Duty to Accommodate

Post–secondary institutions have duty to accommodate students with disabilities. Check out this Alberta Human Rights Commission resource to learn more.

Alberta Training for Work Programs

Training for Work funding is available to service providers employment and training supports for Albertans who are unemployed or marginally-employed and those on Employment Insurance (EI) and other income supports.

SkillingUp

SkillingUp is a free program, providing personalized training and support for people with disabilities to feel confident in their digital skills.

Canada Pension Plan Disability Vocational Rehabilitation Program

Are you getting CPP disability benefits? This program offers vocational counselling, training dollars and job search services to help you return to work.

Funding for Students With Disabilities

Find out about funding sources and how to apply.

Resources for Students With Disabilities

Discover resources and supports for students with disabilities who are exploring or attending Alberta post-secondary programs.

Look for Work

Tools and Resources

Alberta Human Rights Duty to Accommodate

Under the Alberta Human Rights Act, employers have a duty to accommodate. This means that they must take reasonable steps to allow for an employee’s individual needs.
Tools and Resources

Funding Opportunities for Persons With Disabilities

The Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities can help you prepare for, obtain and maintain employment or self–employment.
Tools and Resources

Entrepreneurs With Disabilities Program

This program provides services to entrepreneurs with disabilities. If you live in Western Canada and you’re looking to start or expand a business, you may be eligible for assistance.
Tools and Resources

Job Demands & Accommodation Planning Tool (JDAPT)

JDAPT helps workers with chronic and episodic conditions—and the workplace parties who support them—identify accommodations tailored to job demands that allow workers to successfully stay in their jobs.
Tools and Resources

Disability Employment Awareness Month (DEAM)

DEAM brings into focus the need for equitable workplaces and spaces for people experiencing disability. Take part in DEAM’s many events and happenings to show your support, spread awareness, and drive meaningful action in our communities.
Look for Work

Employment and Training Services

Employment and Training Services lists free employment and training programs available through Alberta's government and the Government of Canada. Programs are delivered in person or online through government funded agencies in communities across the province to help unemployed and underemployed Albertans access skill training for a new career as well as connect to a job.
People going through a hallway to a meeting
©
iStock.com/kali9
Tools and Resources

Finding Work When You Have a Disability

As a person with a disability, you may face the challenge of convincing potential employers to focus on what you’re capable of. Here are some ways you can do that.
©
iStockphoto/GaryAlvis
Tools and Resources

When and How to Talk About Your Disability

There are many good reasons to tell your employer about your disability. But disclosure also has risks. In the end, you get to choose when and how you’ll talk about it.
Man in wheelchair hands his resume to human resources team before a job interview.
©
iStock.com/skynesher
Tools and Resources

Job Interview Tips for People With Disabilities

Getting ready for your job interview takes time, and most of the work you’ll do is the same as for someone who doesn’t live with a disability. But when you have a disability, you have a few more things to think about.
Tools and Resources

Self-Employment Planning for People With a Developmental Disability

Self-employment—having your own business—can be very rewarding when you live with a developmental disability. But it also takes a lot of hard work.
2 workers having a conversation in a shop
©
iStock.com/FG Trade
Tools and Resources

Inclusive Employment for People With Developmental Disabilities

If you are a person who lives with a developmental disability, it’s important to find a job you enjoy and where you are valued for your strengths. Inclusive employment gives you these opportunities.
Two volunteers track donations on a tablet.
©
iStock.com/FG Trade

Finding Meaningful Employment in Recovery: Jobs That Support Sobriety

For most people, work is much more than a regular paycheque. It’s part of their identity, and it gives purpose to their life. Meaningful work supports recovery and good health. This article offers tips to help you find it.
Two coworkers shaking hands.
©
iStock.com/LaylaBird

Job Search Tips for People Experiencing Mental Health Issues

Looking for work is a challenge for anyone, but it’s even more stressful if you’re dealing with mental illness. Knowing what you’re up against can help you find the right strategies and tools.

Succeed at Work

Employee with service dog talking with another employee in the office
Tools and Resources

Accommodations: Working With Your Disability

Do you have a disability? You may need workplace accommodations to be successful. Know what reasonable steps an employer has a duty to take to meet your needs.
Worker at desk using a fidget spinner while looking at laptop.
©
istockphoto.com/mixetto
Tools and Resources

Workplace Accommodations for Neurodiverse People

Neurodivergent workers bring real strengths to the workplace. But many face barriers that make it hard to do their best work. The right accommodations can remove those barriers—and make a better workplace for employees and employers.
Two people talking at a table by a window.
©
iStock.com/SDI Productions
Tools and Resources

Steps for Rebuilding Your Career After Addiction

Addiction can cost you your job and make it hard to find a new one. Follow these steps to get back in the game when you’ve recovered.
Employee working a the produce area of a grocery store
Tools and Resources

Doing Well at Work When You Have a Disability

If you have a disability, succeeding on the job is usually no different for you than for people without disabilities. However, there may be additional things to consider.
Person recovering from cancer sitting at desk and using a computer while listening to headphones.
©
iStock.com/Drazen_
Tools and Resources

Career Advice for People Diagnosed with Debilitating Diseases

Debilitating diseases like epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and cancer are considered disabilities. That means employers have a duty to help staff work productively despite their disease.
Inspire and Motivate

Disability Related Employment Supports (DRES)

This Government of Alberta program assists qualified clients with documented and permanent or long-term disabilities. DRES funding pays for supports or services to reduce, alleviate, or remove barriers to education, training, job search, or employment. Examples include assistive technologies, work-site modifications, sign language interpreters, and specific disability-related software.

Inspire and Motivate

A happy worker in a pasta factory.
©
iStock.com/xavierarnau

Counselling People With Disabilities

Explore these articles to discover important context, effective practices, and ways to collaborate with employers when providing career counselling to people with disabilities and disorders.

Disability Confidence Toolkit

The Disability Confidence Toolkit is a free tool that promotes accessibility, diversity, and inclusion in the Canadian workplace. This project offers a blueprint and online toolkit to support employers in creating an inclusive and barrier-free Canada.
Parent assisting disabled teen on a laptop.
©
istock.com/Prostock-Studio
Tools and Resources

Career Planning for Youth With Disabilities: A Parent’s Guide

Is your child preparing to enter the workforce? Finding the line between helping and interfering can be hard, especially for parents of youth with a disability. Explore how to get involved—appropriately—in helping with employment and career planning.