Types of support that are available

If you have a disability, there are many services available from ODSP employment supports to help find a job or start your own business. You don’t have to be receiving income support from ODSP to qualify.

Find a job

Through ODSP employment supports, you will work with a community service provider to figure out what kinds of supports you need to help you get and keep a job. For example, the support available includes:

  • help preparing for work
  • help finding a job that is right for you
  • help keeping a job
  • job coaching
  • on-the-job supports
  • help to move to the next level in your career
  • adaptative technology that can help you do your job (for example, accessibility software)
  • job accommodations and support
  • interpreter or intervenor services
  • assistive devices and training to use them (for example, mobility devices or visual hearing aids)

Start your own business

If your goal is to start up your own business, ODSP employment supports can help you.

Here are some of the supports you may receive:

  • help to develop and implement a business plan
  • training in money management, record keeping and budgeting
  • help with marketing your business
  • mentoring
  • help getting work-related disability supports, such as assistive devices, adaptative technical equipment, interpreter, intervenor, reader and notetaker services

Staff at your local ODSP income support office will link you with a service provider that specializes in self-employment.

Supports and services not provided by ODSP employment supports

ODSP employment supports do not provide supports that are available through other public or private organizations such as:

  • Workplace Safety and Insurance Board
  • Canada Pension Plan
  • Employment Insurance
  • Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) and other programs available under the Education Act
  • Ministry of Health programs and supports, such as:
    • assistive devices or supplies available under the Assistive Devices Program
    • drug and alcohol recovery and substance abuse programs
  • disability-related home and vehicle modifications available under the Home and Vehicle Modification Program
  • private insurance
  • health insurance
  • disability-related accommodation that is the obligation of an employer under the Ontario Human Rights Code
  • medical, dental and nursing treatment and procedures
  • prescription drugs
  • structural modifications to your place of employment

Eligibility

To be eligible for ODSP employment supports, you must:

  • be at least 16 years old
  • be an Ontario resident
  • be legally allowed to work in Canada
  • have a substantial physical or mental disability that is expected to last a year or more, and makes it hard for you to find or keep a job

You don’t have to be receiving income support from ODSP to be eligible for employment supports.

Apply

You can print out the application package using the links below, or call/visit your local ODSP office or ODSP employment supports service provider to request a package and get more information about specific services where you live.
The application package contains these forms:

If you are already receiving ODSP income support, you do not need to complete the Verification of Disability/Impairment form.

If you do not receive ODSP income support, the Verification of Disability/Impairment form must be completed by an approved health care professional who can describe your disability/impairment and explain how it impacts your ability to find and keep work.

You must sign the “Consent to Release Medical Information” section included in this form before taking it to an approved healthcare professional.

We are improving the way employment services are provided for people with disabilities. Talk to an ODSP caseworkers if you want to apply in these areas:

  • Belleville
  • Bracebridge
  • Brampton
  • Brantford
  • Burlington
  • Cornwall
  • Hamilton
  • Kingston
  • Lindsay
  • Mississauga
  • Niagara
  • Newmarket
  • Owen Sound
  • Pembroke
  • Peterborough
  • Renfrew
  • Simcoe
  • St. Catharines
  • Stratford
  • Timmins

Find an employment supports services provider

Community-based service providers deliver ODSP employment supports.