Youth With Disabilities

Below is a list of programs and services specific to the needs of youth with disabilities. Be sure to check out our general audience pages as well for more information on Jobs, Education, Careers and Money.

Jobs:

• The largest virtual employment resource centre for job seekers with disabilities, WORKink, offers a unique range of employment and recruitment services.
• Discover the Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities, a program from Human Resources and Skills Development Canada designed to help people with disabilities prepare for and obtain employment or self-employment. It also assists people to develop the skills they need to keep a new job.
• The Skills Link program helps youth facing barriers to employment - such as single parents, Aboriginal youth, young persons with disabilities, recent immigrants, youth living in rural and remote areas and high school dropouts obtain the knowledge to develop a broad range of skills and work experience they need to participate in the job market.
• Entrepreneurs with disabilities who live in western Canadian communities and who are seeking to start up or expand a small- or medium-sized business can access services through the Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program.
• Ability Edge offers internships specifically designed for university, college and high school graduates with disabilities.

Education:

• The Canada Access Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities is awarded to high-need students with permanent disabilities who must cover the cost of educational and living expenses that exceeds the amount covered by Canada Student Loan and provincial financial assistance.
• The Canada Study Grant for the Accommodation of Students with Permanent Disabilities can provide up to $8,000 per loan year to help pay for exceptional education-related costs associated with your disability. These costs may include tutors, oral or sign interpreters, attendant care for studies, and specialized transportation (to and from school only).
• Check out how the Canadian government is supporting students with permanent disabilities.
• If you have a permanent disability and you are experiencing exceptional financial hardship repaying your Canada Student Loan(s) due to your disability, you may qualify for the Permanent Disability Benefit (PDB) which allows for the reduction of your loans.

Money:

• The Canada Revenue Agency provides information about tax credits and services available to people with disabilities.
• Learn how parents and others can save for the long-term financial security of a person with a severe disability through the Registered Disability Savings Plan from the Canada Revenue Agency.
• The Child Disability Benefit is a tax-free benefit for families who care for a child under age 18 with a severe and prolonged impairment in physical or mental functions.
• The Federal Excise Gasoline Tax Refund Program refunds a portion of the federal excise tax on gasoline for those who are medically certified as having permanent mobility impairment and cannot safely use public transportation.