National mentorship model building confidence and disability-inclusive workplaces

Solution
MentorAbility
Organization
Canadian Association for Supported Employment (CASE)
Country of Implementation
Canada
Region
North America
Start Year
2019
First published
03.12.2024

CASE's MentorAbility in Canada organized 700 mentorships and 1,000+ events by 2023, connecting job seekers with disabilities to employers through mentorship hubs nationwide.

Four men stand together, each wearing a red "deam October" shirt, supporting Disability Employment Awareness Month. This advocacy event emphasizes inclusivity in the workforce, fostering awareness about equal employment rights for individuals with disabilities and encouraging community involvement.
MentorAbility connects job seekers with disabilities, employers, and service providers.

Solution details

People

Mary Beshai Website
“Participants benefit from a national network and customization for each person, employer, and region.” Joanna Goode, Executive Director, CASE

The Canadian Association for Supported Employment (CASE) is a member association for the supported employment sector in Canada. In 2019, CASE launched MentorAbility, a national programme connecting job seekers with disabilities (mentees), employers (mentors), and service providers (mentorship facilitators). Regional MentorAbility Hubs facilitate mentorships, organize training and events, and share lessons learned. By 2023 some 700 mentorships and 1,000+ events were organized, and 400 employers were engaged.

Problems Targeted

Many persons with disabilities lack options for career exploration, while businesses want to build their disability and workplace inclusion confidence.

Solution, Innovation and Impact

In 2019 the Canadian Association for Supported Employment (CASE), a national member-based organization that represents the supported employment sector, launched the MentorAbility Canada initiative to promote the recruitment, employment, and retention of persons with disabilities through short-term (one hour to one day), tailored mentoring experiences. Three initiative involves three key participants: (1) job seekers (mentees), (2) employers (mentors), and (3) service providers (mentorship facilitators). A regional MentorAbility Hub coordinates with local partner organizations to facilitate tailored mentorships, to organize networking and learning events, and to customize activities for the needs of their area. Mentees explore careers of interest that are fairly compensated, expand professional connections, increase their confidence, and make informed career decisions. Mentors meet new talent, deepen their capacity to build inclusive workplaces, improve corporate culture, and build community relations. Mentorship facilitators share expertise in workplace disability inclusion, offer tailored support to mentors and mentees, and build networks. While mentorships are not focused on pure job-creation, nonetheless CASE estimates that 15 to 25 per cent of all mentees found jobs right after their mentorship.

Funding, Outlook and Transferability

MentorAbility is coordinated nationally by the Canadian Association for Supported Employment (CASE) in collaboration with service providers across the country. It is funded by the Government of Canada’s Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities and other sources. Currently in Phase 2, the goal is to expand and strengthen activities until 2026, while integrating a sustainability plan. (Zero Project Awardee 2025)

Media

Pictures

Four men stand together, each wearing a red "deam October" shirt, supporting Disability Employment Awareness Month. This advocacy event emphasizes inclusivity in the workforce, fostering awareness about equal employment rights for individuals with disabilities and encouraging community involvement. MentorAbility connects job seekers with disabilities, employers, and service providers.
Four men stand together, each wearing a red "deam October" shirt, supporting Disability Employment Awareness Month. This advocacy event emphasizes inclusivity in the workforce, fostering awareness about equal employment rights for individuals with disabilities and encouraging community involvement. MentorAbility connects job seekers with disabilities, employers, and service providers.

Related information

Solutions with the same:

Country of Implementation

Canada

Region of Implementation

North America