Transition to Work

Self-Advocacy Toolkit

Humber's Self-Advocacy Learning (SAL) is designed to support students as they navigate school, work, and future careers-especially as more learners experience disabilities or mental health challenges, and many struggle to access meaningful employment without the right supports. SAL helps you build self-advocacy skills, which are key employability skills linked to Humber's Learning Outcomes, such as communication, professionalism, problem solving, and critical thinking. Through short online modules and an open-access Self-Advocacy Toolkit, SAL gives you practical tools and strategies that can be used in advising appointments, classes, and work-integrated learning experiences.

By focusing on your strengths and helping you communicate your needs with confidence, SAL prepares you for work placements, supports long-term career success, and helps create more inclusive and accessible pathways to employment for students with disabilities.

Sign up for the learning modules

To access Humber's SAL modules, please complete the form below, and it will be added to your Blackboard account. The open access Toolkit can be accessed on our Resources page.

Transition to Work Program

The Transition to Work Program aims to enhance successful career outcomes and strategies for persons with disabilities through hosting workshops and events, and connecting learners with college support staff, employers, alumni and community agencies.

The Transition to Work Program for people with disabilities aims to:

• promote self-advocacy
• provide opportunities to develop career readiness and exploratory skills
• offer career preparedness workshops and events
• offer tips for disclosing and negotiating accommodation needs in the workplace
• offer regular wraparound supports as part of learner's career readiness journey
• share examples of successful workplace accommodations and supportive employers

On-Campus Support for Students with Disabilities

• The Disability Impact on Career & Employment (DICE) assessment can help students with disabilities:
• Identify the limitations, strengths and skills they bring to the workplace
• Discover key components of a compatible career
• Determine workplace accommodations that will work best, and how to speak to an employer about them

For more information about how DICE can help, please contact Elaine, Student Success Advisor, Academic & Career Services at Elaine.Belanger-Porter@Humber.ca.

• Job Search Advising

Students interested in expanding their job search resources, learning more about their skills, educational pathways, job search techniques, networking and interview tips, may book a one-on-one appointment with a program specific Career & Student Success Advisor.

Students who are unable to attend an in-person appointment can request to complete their session via telephone or via email.

Find out more about "What is a Career & Student Success Advisor?"

• Gain Experience - CareerConnect Job Portal

Please visit Humber's CareerConnect Job Portal where you can check out current job postings - full-time, part-time, internships, summer and volunteer opportunities.

• Resume and Cover Letter Writing

When applying for a job, most employers will ask you to submit a resume and cover letter. Advising & Career Services has Career Support Peers (CSPs) who can help you. You can book an appointment to meet in-person or virtual with a CSP, who will help you to create or improve your resume and cover letter.

• Interview Preparation

Interviews can be daunting, and it's normal to be nervous before an interview. We recommend you meet with a Career Support Peer for a simulated job interview preparation session.

It's also important that you create strategies to help you cope with nervousness, like eating well and getting proper rest before an interview, or using meditation and deep breaths to slow your heart beat. For more detailed tips and resources, read through our "Job Interview Tips".

If you require accommodations for the interview, be sure to make the request when you are invited to the interview. To learn more please refer to "Disclosing Disabilities Resources".

• Student Wellness & Accessibility Centre

Humber College offers a range of services to support student well-being and accessibility needs. This includes mental health resources, accessibility services for students with disabilities, and wellness programs to promote overall health. They also provide counseling, workshops, and various support groups to help students thrive academically and personally.

• Disability Related Student Groups on Campus

The ASD Social Group is for students who identify as living with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The group provides an opportunity to meet other students, make friends, play games, and discuss topics for academic and personal success.

Of-Campus Support for Students with Disabilities

The following is a list of Toronto-area agencies and resources dedicated to supporting individuals with disabilities in their job search. These organizations offer specific programs tailored to the needs of individuals with disabilities, while others provide general job search assistance.

• AMI TV Paid Internships for Students with Disabilities

Exciting opportunities await students who have a passion to make a difference every day. AMI will provide a challenging and rewarding experience in the Broadcast industry in a wide variety of technical, business and creative roles.

• CIBC(Job Portal)

CIBC offers a dynamic start to your career with a range of opportunities for students and graduates, allowing you to learn, grow, and discover diverse career paths alongside industry leaders.

• The Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP)

The FSWEP provides full-time and part-time work opportunities across Canada in various fields, enabling students at all academic levels to gain valuable experience in the federal public service.

• Job Seekers Guide for Students and Graduates with Disabilities-The Learning Porta

The Job Seekers Guide for Students and Graduates with Disabilities on The Learning Portal is a comprehensive resource. It's designed to support students and graduates with disabilities in their job search journey. The guide provides practical strategies to navigate barriers to employment and offers advice on how to successfully determine a career path. It serves as a valuable tool for disabled students, helping them to overcome challenges and thrive in their chosen careers.

• Lime Connect

Lime Connect offers full-time employment, co-op employment, internships and scholarship opportunities.

• Ongoing Student Recruitment Inventory

This extensive inventory is open year-round, offering over 200 departments and agencies a variety of work opportunities for students, including in fields like sciences, trades, administration, IT, and finance.

Off-Campus Employment Services for Recent Graduates

Disclosing Disabilities Resources

Disclosing Your Disability

How to know if an employer is disability friendly

• Ask anyone you know who works there. They may be aware of an employee who was accommodated. Is it a high pressure workplace (eg. Do people eat lunch at their desks? Do staff take breaks?) Are people collegial, friendly?
• Go to the employer's website. If the website is accessible, it may mean that the company is disability-friendly, or at least have implemented some accommodations.
• Check the company's policies - do they give sick leave? Is the work flexible? Does the company promote a work/life balance? Do they have a policy or statement about mental health (awareness/promotion)? Do they have a policy or statement on physical health (awareness/promotion)?
• If possible, check out the physical space (they may have photos on their website, you could ask someone who works there, or just drop by yourself). Look to see if the space is wheelchair accessible; check out the washrooms; and check if signage is large and/or in braille. Although you may not need these accommodations, it's an indication of the willingness of the employer to implement them.

Job Seekers Guide for Students & Graduates with Disabilities - The Learning Portal at OCLS Job Demand Accommodation Planning Tool - free, confidential online tool to help you determine what workplace accommodations might work best for you Searchable Online Accommodations Resource When and How to Talk About Your Disability Workplace Accommodation