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Disability Employment Services

Clients with a Disability Employed 20 Hours or More per Week

A Client with a disability working more than 20 hours a week is eligible for EPBC Case Management when:

• They are at risk of losing Employment or Self-Employment due to the impact of their disability; or

• They are seeking more hours of work to achieve a higher level of self-sufficiency, and require program assistance to achieve or maintain employment.

Students with Disabilities

Students with disabilities may be eligible for EPBC services if they have had their Employment needs assessed and it has been determined that they are unable to successfully make the transition to the labour market without EPBC services.

These individuals must:

• be in their final year of high school or post-secondary education; and

• of legal school leaving age in the Province of BC; and

• transitioning from the school system to the labour market; and

• are unable to do so successfully without EPBC support.

All Students can access the EPBC Self-Serve Resource Area.

Financial Supports Provided to General Clients with a disability

General Clients with a disability can participate in training in the same manner as BCEA PWD Clients. They are eligible for Program Financial Supports when assessed as needed to assist with Tuition and other training related costs, like books and fees. They can also be assisted with other costs like dependent care, transportation and disability related costs essential to enable them to participate. They are not eligible for EPBC living supports and like BCEA Clients they must not receive any type of Financial Supports directly.

Employment Related Disability Supports

Financial Supports for employment related disability costs may be provided for special devices, aids or special assistance if required for participation in Skills Training. This includes disability supports for interpreting, tutoring, or attendant services for a Client in Skills Training if alternate sources of funding are exhausted (e.g. Canada Study Grant for Students with Disabilities or funding available through the training institution).

For all Clients requesting Financial Supports to assist with employment related disability support costs, the EPBC Service Provider must complete a Disability Related Employment Needs Assessment (DRENA).

Note: Aids and devices required for activities of daily living, rather than for employment related needs, are not eligible for EPBC Financial Support. EPBC Service Providers must not provide disability supports to a Client for any non-employment related reasons or needs (e.g. psychiatric treatment, surgical procedures, other medical treatment or personal counselling).

Employment Related Disability Support Types

Assistive Devices, Equipment and Technology

• A broad range of aids and devices designed to increase, maintain, or improve an individual's ability to participate in labour market activities;

• Assistive technology computer equipment/software/adaptive computer accessories;

• Assistive listening and communication systems; and,

• Other assistive or adaptive technologies related to achieving labour market goals.

Communication/Hearing Devices

• Prescription hearing aids, TTY (Text Telephone Device).

• Communication and hearing devices costs are eligible for Financial Support for Clients requiring such supports to participate in the Program, Job Search or start/maintain Employment.

Ergonomic Supports

• Environmental adaptation devices such as lighting systems or ergonomic furniture.

• Ergonomic support costs are eligible for Financial Support for Clients requiring such supports to participate in the Program, Job Search or start/maintain Employment.

Restorative Supports

• Employment related personal devices that redress an impairment experienced by a Client with a disability.

• Restorative support costs are eligible for Financial Support to Clients requiring such supports to participate in the Program, Job Search or start/maintain Employment. Examples include a cane, crutches or a walker required specifically for employment.

Attendant Services

• Personal attendant care to support participation in any approved EPBC services or, for job search, job start and where required, for job retention during the first 4 weeks of employment.

• Must be provided by an individual who is qualified to provide the services. The costs incurred should reflect the competitive, local rate for such services. Other sources of funding should be explored prior to providing Program financials supports for such services.

Interpreting or Captioning

• Interpreting or captioning services for deaf and hard of hearing to support participation in any approved EPBC services or, for job search, job start and where required, for job retention during the first 4 weeks of employment.

• Must be provided by an individual who is qualified to provide interpretive or captioning services. The costs incurred should reflect the standard rate for such services. Other sources of funding should be explored prior to providing Program financials supports for such services.

Workplace Access & Modification

• Workplace modifications may only be considered for support when the EPBC Service Provider confirms them as needed, specifically to accommodate the Client, or where the loss of employment can be mitigated for an existing employee whose loss of employment is due to a disability or medical condition.

• Employers may be assisted with costs for workplace modifications in order for an employer to hire a Client with a disability. These modifications will enable workplace access or enable the Client to perform the duties of the job.

• Workplace modifications may include but are not limited to:

  • Installation of ramps/hand rails

  • Modification to existing work equipment or workspace

  • Other accessibility modifications

Vehicle Modification

• If the modification is necessary for the Client to undertake training, commence employment or to maintain employment;

• The modification is only for features not ordinarily required by individuals who do not have a disability; and

• Vehicle modifications have not been requested by the Client for the same or a different vehicle in at least the past 5 years.

Tutoring for clients with disabilities

• The EPBC Service Provider may provide employment related disability supports for interpreting, tutoring, or attendant services while a Client is receiving training if alternate sources of funding are exhausted.

• Must be provided by an individual who is qualified to provide interpretive or captioning services and the costs incurred should reflect the standard rate for such services.