People with barriers are represented in every sector or industry in our economy. Barriers to employment can take many forms – diagnosed disabilities, low literacy and physical illness to name a few. There are myths in the community and business world that it is charity when you give someone with a barrier a chance. Check out Don't Lower the Bar, Mark Wafer to find out the myths that surround that way of thinking and why they are wrong.

Literacy for Life Foundation's mission is to facilitate and deliver literacy resources and help people develop the nine essential Skills for Sucess in work, community and family. Check out the resources below and for more information or support, contact us or one of the Work a Day partners listed at the bottom. All individuals and agencies are welcome to download and use any of the documents that are on this section of our web site. We ask that recognition to Literacy for Life Foundation or appropriate author is given when utilizing the documents available.

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Videos

• Mark Wafer: Enabling the Disabled
  Deaf from birth, Mark is more than just an advocate for people with disabilities. He understands the business advantages that his more than 40 disabled employees bring to his bottom line. This is a video.
• Employment Matters
  Explores the untapped market and huge potential of the intellectually disabled in the workplace.
• A Parents Journey
  Interview with parents of a son with a disability.

Interesting and useful websites for Employees and Employers

• Skills for Success – Federal
  The Skills for Success are reading, writing, numeracy, adaptability, communication, digital, collaboration, creativity and innovation and problem solving. For more information on Skills for Success click on this link.
• MCG Careers
  Assist unemployed, Alberta individuals to achieve and retain meaningful employment opportunities, assist working Albertans to identify steps required toward job and career goals and to support the hiring, training, developing and retention of capable employees.
• Hire Program
  Work with participants (18 years and older) to develop skills and techniques to overcome barriers, to be confident and to be contribute to their work place.
• Alberta Learning Information Services (ALIS)
  Key information and resources to help create a productive, competitive and safe working environment, whether you're an employee, employer or human resources and career development professional
• Plain Clear Language
  A communication is in clear language if the language, structure, and design are so clear that the intended audience can easily find what they need, understand what they find, and use that information. All business and agencies should be aware of their use of words, structure and message when communicating with their employees, customers and to the public.
• Community Futures Highwood
  Offers supports to adults with developmental disabilities who reside in the Foothills County and Wheatland County in the province of Alberta.

Downloads

• My Information and Guidelines (PDF - 225 KB)   |   My Information and Guidelines (MS Word - 21 KB)
  A framework to help you understand forms and a place to keep your personal and work information with you when applying for work, going to the Doctor and other day to day activities.
• Work a Day Tips
  Three major workplace issues have been identified as being important to successful employment for people with invisible challenges. This document outlines the 3 issues and provides strategies.
• Parents Can Help Teach!
  Parents can have a great deal of influence of their child's career choice. Children need skills to be successful and this article provides some strategies that parents can do within everyday life.

For more resources and support for the workplace check out the partners in the Work a Day Program.