Career Services
The Arc Ontario works with individuals with intellectual and other developmental disabilities to help find and maintain meaningful employment. A wide range of services and supports are offered including exploration of career interests, job readiness programs, and in some cases, a more directly supported work environment. The goal throughout is to help individuals find relevant opportunities and continue to excel in their chosen path.
College Experience
Soar to new heights in the College Experience at The Arc Ontario! Learn important work and life skills in a unique and dynamic setting designed to assist you with exploring your career potential.
The College Experience is an innovative program offering access to a college campus and its amenities, including extracurricular activities, athletic facilities and cafeteria, and the opportunity to audit classes. With locations at Finger Lakes Community College and Hobart & William Smith Colleges, the program supports community involvement, enhancing social skills, promoting independence, and exploring employment interests.
Job Development and Placement
An The Arc Ontario placement specialist works with an individual with a disability to review work history and job skills and determine a career interest. The placement specialist also assists with resume development and career searches to find a suitable match for a rewarding career opportunity.
Activities include:
Arranging practice interviews
Searching for jobs in newspapers, online, at recruitment agencies, and by visiting possible employers and job shadowing
Resume building and cover letter development
JET Connections
A comprehensive career and vocational employment planning and support service that provides assistance for individuals to obtain, maintain, or advance in competitive employment or self-employment. JET Connections engages each individual in identifying a career or vocational direction that supports their needs and provides instruction and training in pre-employment skills. The goal is to develop a path for achieving employment at or above minimum wage.
Project SEARCH
A nationally-renowned program designed to support people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities as they seek employment in non-traditional jobs. Participants over the age of 21 develop job and work skills with the goal of shaping a career path with practical knowledge gained from working in several departments. Involvement in day-to-day operations offers an advantage when applying for long-term employment.
Activities include:
Three 12-week, hands-on internships and on-site job coaching
Work readiness instruction
Pet Connections
Pet Connections provides opportunities for career development and training for people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities who are considering a career in pet and animal care. Participants in Pet Connections get a glimpse into careers in the animal care field including instruction in dog grooming, and making animal-related products for the BAD DOG retail line.
The career training component of Pet Connections is provided, in part, through the BAD DOG retail program and the BAD DOG Spa.
This program collaborates with community members seeking pet training and opportunities for therapy service animals.
Competitive Employment
Offers job coaching supports to assist the job seeker in sustaining employment.
Community Placement
Employment for individuals with disabilities in an integrated setting with ongoing support services in order to obtain, perform, and retain a job. The service includes pre-employment assessment, job placement and coaching, assistance interacting with employers, on-site assistive technology training, and individualized job training.
Vocational Assessments
An Assessment Specialist will carry out a Needs Assessment with the job seeker to identify skills, interests, and ambitions, with a focus on identifying the type of work that a person with a disability would like to pursue.
Types of Assessments include:
Community Based Workplace Assessment
Career Exploration Assessment
Pre-Employment Transition Services for students transition from high school between the ages of 14-21