Employability Assistance for People with Disabilities Operating Manual

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Section 166.9 - Miscellaneous Employment Supports

Purpose

Special equipment and clothing necessary to access vocational training and/or employment opportunities may be provided to eligible participants based upon individual need and availability of funds.

Process

Special equipment and clothing will only be provided when it is not normally provided by the employer, educational, or training institution. Individuals engaged in self-employment may also apply for special equipment and clothing.

Some examples of eligible items include:

1. tools;
2. uniforms;
3. hard hats;
4. work boots;
5. drafting table; and
6. clothing (for example, for participants enrolled in Assessment, Employment Services or an educational institution's work experience component and who do not have access to appropriate clothing for the work or training site). The maximum allowable for work clothing is $150.00. There may be situations where a participant requires special clothing due to the nature of their disability. In these cases, it may be necessary to exceed the $150.00 maximum.

Tools, equipment or supplies that will have a significant asset value after the training program, or that are normal requirements for accessing jobs will only be approved under very special circumstances. The participant's ability to contribute to the cost shall be taken into consideration; and, where the participant is able to contribute to a portion of or all of the costs, the funds requested from the program should be reduced accordingly.

Tools, equipment, or supplies required by a given employer of all employees in order to access a job may be funded so long as the employer has made an offer of employment, confirmed by the Program. In these cases, the participant's ability to contribute to the cost, or their ability to obtain other funding will be taken into consideration.

Standards

The following standards apply to funding for special equipment:

1. Funding for special equipment is approved when the:
   1. participant requires special equipment to overcome a significant barrier to pursuing training and/or employment;
   2. the special equipment will eliminate or reduce the barriers within a reasonable time and contribute to the attainment of the vocational goal; and
   3. the special equipment is not available as a benefit of a universal plan or through another program or department.
2. Special equipment will only be approved where it is not normally provided by the employer or training institution.

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