This summer, Delta Community Living Society (DCLS) will be partnering with researchers from the University of British Columbia in an innovative project to support early interventions and improve employment outcomes for youth with developmental disabilities or autism who are in high school aged 16 to 19.
The “IMPACT” youth employment research project is currently recruiting youth from
Delta to participate in the project, which kicks off its fifth year in June.
“DCLS has offered a youth employment program each summer since 2014. With the IMPACT research project, we have proven that early interventions really make a difference in the lives of the participants,” said DCLS CEO Anita Sihota.
DCLS’s employment services manager, Tammy McEvoy added, “Research in workplaces with people with developmental disabilities has found that, as employees, people with diverse abilities are dependable, have high productivity, and great attendance records. The businesses that hire people with developmental disabilities enjoy lower employee turnover and higher job satisfaction among all employees.”
Sihota said the research has supported more than 100 students each year and has been made possible because of a great partnership with other agencies across the province and through financial support from the Province of B.C. and Government of Canada.
DCLS is a non-profit community-based organization that provides support to people with
developmental disabilities and their families. To learn more about how to participate as a student, peer mentor or employer with the IMPACT project, contact DCLS employment services manager Tammy McEvoy at: [email protected] or 604-946-9655. The deadline to apply to participate in this year’s project as a student is May 17.
