TELUS Helps Youth with Disabilities Prepare for Employment

BURNABY, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Jan. 14, 2014) -

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The Neil Squire Society announced today that the TELUS Vancouver Community Board will be providing $12,000 to support the Youth Employ-Ability Program; a pre-employment/employment program for youth with physical disabilities in Metro Vancouver.

Youth Employ-Ability, an offshoot of the Society's Employ-Ability Program, prepares young Canadians with physical disabilities for future employment and education opportunities. The program offers a holistic experience that addresses participants' complete learning needs, including soft skills and personal requirements, while building their career development assets. Aimed at those who are most marginalized in society, Youth Employ-Ability is offered at no cost to participants.

With the support of the TELUS Vancouver Community Board, Youth Employ-Ability will serve 20 youth with physical disabilities.

"According to BC Statistics, youth with disabilities are 12% less likely to have a job compared to other youth, and are slipping through the cracks," said Rob Attwell, Board Chair, Neil Squire Society. "The support from the TELUS Vancouver Community Board allows us to reach young people with disabilities across Metro Vancouver, and help them connect with the education and employment opportunities in our community."

The support of community partners, such as the TELUS Vancouver Community Board, is critical in broadening the Neil Squire Society's reach to youth and providing programming that addresses the specific employment needs of youth with physical disabilities.

About the TELUS Vancouver Community Board

The TELUS Vancouver Community Board was launched in January 2006 and has continued to be chaired by Nini Baird. Since its inception, the TELUS Vancouver Community Board has donated $5.4 million to 455 projects. In 2012, it donated $800,000 to 69 projects.

About Neil Squire Society

Neil Squire Society is the only not-for-profit organization in Canada that for the past 29 years has used technology, knowledge and passion to empower Canadians with physical disabilities. The Society has developed innovative programs and services and some of the world's leading edge assistive technologies for people with physical disabilities. More than 29,000 people with disabilities in Canada have benefited from the work of the Society. With about fifty staff, Neil Squire Society has offices and provides services to Canadians in Vancouver, Regina, Ottawa, Fredericton, and Moncton, as well as provides services to many small communities across Canada via distance education.

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