Common Questions About Supported Employment

Questions About Supported Employment: SMART Options FAQ

​

What is a developmental disability?

A developmental disability is a disability that begins before adulthood and affects how someone learns, communicates, or carries out everyday activities. This might include differences in learning, movement, social interaction, or speech.

​

Common examples include:

• Autism

• Intellectual disability

• Down syndrome

• FASD

• Learning disabilities.

​​

At SMART Options, we recognize that developmental disabilities are not limitations of potential—they’re simply part of the diversity of how people experience and engage with life. With the right support and environment, individuals with developmental disabilities can thrive in school, work, relationships, and the community.​

​

What does neurodiversity mean?​

Neurodiversity refers to the natural variation in how people think, learn, process information, and experience the world. It includes autism, ADHD, learning disabilities (like dyslexia), and others that affect how the brain works.

​

Instead of viewing these differences as deficits or problems to fix, neurodiversity recognizes them as part of human diversity—just like other differences in culture, personality, or communication style.

​

At SMART Options, we value neurodivergent job seekers for the unique strengths they bring—whether it’s creative thinking, attention to detail, strong pattern recognition, or out-of-the-box problem solving. Employers who are open to flexibility and creativity in their hiring practices often discover untapped talent in neurodivergent job seekers. By creating space for different thinking styles and communication approaches, everyone benefits.

​​​

How many people have a developmental disability? 

According to Statistics Canada: 

• 27% of Canadians aged 15 and older—about 8 million people—live with one or more disabilities. 

• In 2024, the employment rate for people with disabilities was 46.4%, compared to 66.2% for those without—a gap of nearly 20 percentage points.

​​

Did you know that 1 in 5 Canadians has a disability? That makes people with disabilities the largest minority group in the country!

​

If you didn’t know—no hard feelings. But it might mean you’re overlooking a major piece of the puzzle when it comes to diversifying your team and better reflecting the communities you serve.

 

That’s a lot of Canadians with serious buying power—not to mention their friends, families, and support networks. Inclusive hiring opens the door to untapped talent— and helps your bottom line.

​

​

Can people with developmental disabilities work?

Absolutely. People with developmental disabilities are capable, skilled, and ready to work—just like anyone else. With the right job match and inclusive practices, they can contribute meaningfully in a wide range of roles.

​

Many workplaces already benefit from the talents and perspectives of neurodivergent and disabled employees. Sometimes, this means making simple accommodations or offering a bit of flexibility—small changes that can lead to big impacts.

​

Inclusive hiring isn’t about lowering expectations—it’s about expanding opportunity.

 

Here is one of many inclusive hiring success stories from right here in Kamloops! 

​

​

Why can it be hard for a person with a disability to get a job?

There are many reasons—and most of them have nothing to do with a person’s ability to work.

​

Historically, people with disabilities in Canada faced barriers to education, employment, and full participation in society. Misconceptions, institutionalization, and lack of accessibility limited rights and opportunities. While the disability rights movement has brought about legal protections, increased awareness, and greater inclusion, many barriers still persist today.

​

These include:

• Stigma or misunderstanding about what disability means

• A lack of accessible job opportunities or accommodations

• Limited support for finding and maintaining work

• Employers not knowing where to start or how to offer support

• Systemic gaps in accessibility across workplaces, transit, and services

​​

That’s where we come in.

​

SMART Options is a government-funded service that helps break down these barriers—one job, one match, one success story at a time.

​

We support job seekers and employers every step of the way, making inclusive hiring easier than you might think. Whether it’s navigating accommodations, finding the right fit, or building confidence on the job, we’re here to make it simple, supportive, and stress-free.

​

How should we think about disability and inclusion today?

We need to shift how we think about disability and inclusion.

​

Disability isn’t just a personal trait—it’s also shaped by how society is built and how others respond. While some people experience challenges related to their disability itself, many of the barriers they face come from environments that aren't designed with inclusion in mind. This is the foundation of the social model of disability—which reminds us that inclusion requires collective change.

​

At SMART Options, we believe it’s a shared responsibility to:

• Break stereotypes about what disabled people can or can’t do

• Create accessible environments and inclusive hiring practices

• Focus on strengths and match people to meaningful work

• Support employers with the tools and confidence to foster inclusion

​​

When we work together to remove barriers, everyone benefits.

​

What are the benefits of hiring someone with a disability?

Hiring people with developmental disabilities strengthens workplaces in meaningful and measurable ways.

​

Inclusive hiring improves retention, builds team morale, and brings fresh perspectives into your workplace. Employees with disabilities often have excellent attendance, lower turnover rates, and strong safety records. Many employers also report that inclusive hiring leads to more connected teams and a more welcoming work culture overall.

​

Inclusive hiring also shows that your business values diversity, equity, and community. It’s not just the right thing to do—it’s a smart investment in your team and your future.

 

You can read more about the benefits of inclusive hiring here.

​​​

What kind of employment opportunities can I create for someone with disabilities?

That really depends on your workplace—but the fact that you're asking is already a great start.

​

Many people with developmental disabilities are ready to step into roles that already exist in your business. Inclusive hiring isn’t always about creating something brand new—it’s about finding the right fit and sometimes seeing things in a new way.

​

Take a look at your current operations: Are there repetitive or time-consuming tasks that could be delegated? Are there workflow gaps that slow things down? Sometimes, it’s just a matter of carving out those tasks into a dedicated role—something that helps your business run more smoothly and creates a meaningful opportunity for someone with a diverse ability.

​

At SMART Options, we love helping employers spot these hidden opportunities. We’ll work with you to uncover where a new hire could make a real difference—and help you build a more inclusive, efficient, and people-focused workplace along the way.

​

​

What is a good career for someone with a disability?

Just like anyone else, a good career for someone with a disability depends on their skills, interests, and goals.

​

At SMART Options, we support job seekers in finding meaningful work across a wide range of industries—from customer service and administration to retail, trades, and hands-on labour. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer—and that’s the point.

​

We take the time to get to know each person, understand their strengths, and explore what kind of work feels fulfilling to them. Our goal is to help each individual find a role where they can grow, contribute, and feel successful—in a way that feels meaningful to them.

​

​

How do you hire someone with a disability?

A lot of employers aren’t sure where to start—and that’s exactly where we come in.

​

Working with a supported employment agency like SMART Options takes the guesswork out of inclusive hiring. We support you through every step of the process—from pre-screening and job matching to onboarding, on-the-job coaching, evaluations, and more.

​

Worried about accommodations? You’re not alone—but here’s the good news: most accommodations are simple, low-cost, or even free. Things like flexible schedules, visual task lists, or using a SMART Options job coach for extra support can make a big difference. Many of these are things employers already do for others—like adjusting hours for parents or students. In fact, more than half of all workplace accommodations cost nothing, and many people with disabilities don’t require any accommodations at all to succeed.

​

Best of all, our services are completely free for employers. We’re here to make inclusive hiring approachable, sustainable, and successful for everyone involved.

​

​

What is supported employment?

Supported employment is a person-centered approach that helps people with disabilities find meaningful, paid work—and helps employers build more inclusive teams. It’s all about creating employment relationships that work for everyone.

 

This often involves a third party, like SMART Options, who can assist with job matching, on-the-job coaching, and ongoing support for both the employee and the employer.

​

With supported employment, job seekers get the help they need to succeed—and employers get guidance to make inclusive hiring easy and sustainable.

​

​

Why is supported employment important? 

Supported employment is based on the belief that everyone who wants paid work should have the opportunity to pursue it—with the right support in place.

​

When both job seekers and employers get the support they need, it’s a win-win: the employee gains meaningful employment, and the employer gains a motivated, valuable team member. Diverse workplaces don’t just benefit individuals—they make our businesses, communities, and lives stronger.

​

But there’s more to it. People with disabilities still face systemic barriers to employment—often due to stigma, inaccessibility, or lack of opportunity. From a social justice perspective, supported employment is one way we can actively work to change that. It’s not just about inclusion—it’s about equity.

​

At SMART Options, we’re here to help create more equitable opportunities by matching great employers with talented job seekers who deserve to be seen, valued, and fairly compensated for their work.

​

​

What is an example of supported employment?

Looking for an example of supported employment? Check out the inclusive hiring success story of Vincent, an employee at Cain’s Your Independent Grocer in Kamloops. 

​

​

What is reasonable accommodation/Duty to Accommodate?

In Canada, employers have a legal responsibility to accommodate employees with disabilities, as long as it doesn’t cause undue hardship. This is known as the The Duty to Accommodate , and it helps ensure everyone has a fair chance to succeed at work.

​

The good news? Most accommodations are simple, practical, and cost little (or nothing) to implement. A 2024 report by the Job Accommodation Network found:

• 56% of accommodations cost $0

• Most others average just $300 one-time​

​​

Not all employees with disabilities require accommodations—but when they do, it’s often something small that makes a big difference. This could include extra training time, flexible scheduling, or adjusting how tasks are communicated.

​

At SMART Options, we help identify solutions that work for everyone—supporting both the employee and the employer every step of the way, and at no cost to your business.

​

Read more here about the benefits and low cost of accommodations (Job Accommodation Network, 2024).

​​

I’m not in Kamloops—how do I find someone to help me with supported employment?

There are supported employment and other disability services available in many regions. If you’re a job-seeker or an employer looking for supported employment assistance, try looking up local organizations in your area. 

 

If you’re in Canada, you may find this listing of organizations committed to employment inclusion helpful. 

​

​

What does SMART Options do?

As a supported employment agency in Kamloops, SMART Options helps to connect employers with people who have disabilities to create mutually beneficial employment opportunities. 

 

We achieve this by getting to know our job-seekers and matching them with jobs where we know they have the potential to succeed. We also assist employers every step of the way, from the hiring and onboarding process to job coaching and ongoing support. 

 

Our services are completely free of charge for Kamloops employers, so we are an accessible option for any Kamloops business looking to diversify their workplace with effective hiring solutions! 

​

​

Have More Questions About Supported Employment?

Have questions about supported employment that we didn’t answer here? We’re here to help! 

 

We’d love to speak with you about our supported employment services and answer any questions or concerns that you may have. Please feel free to get in touch with the SMART Options team and we will get back to you as soon as possible! 

​