There are many definitions of a disability.

• Disability, according to the Canadian Human Rights Act, can be defined as a physical or mental condition that is permanent, episodic, ongoing, or of some persistence that is significant enough to limit a person’s ability to carry on with important life activities. The disability may be visible or invisible like cognitive, behavioral, learning or any mental health issues.
• Physical Disability (according to Wikipedia): A physical disability is a limitation on a person's physical functioning, mobility, dexterity or stamina. Other physical disabilities include impairments which limit other facets of daily living, such as respiratory disorders, blindness, epilepsy, and sleep disorders.
• Visual impairment is another type of physical impairment. There are hundreds of thousands of people with minor to various serious vision injuries or impairments. These types of injuries can also result in severe problems or diseases such as blindness and ocular trauma. Some other types of vision impairment include scratched cornea, scratches on the sclera, diabetes-related eye conditions, dry eyes and corneal graft, macular degeneration in old age and retinal detachment.
• Physical impairment can also be attributed to disorders causing, among others, sleep deficiency, chronic fatigue, chronic pain, and seizures.
• Hearing loss is a partial or total inability to hear. Deaf and hard of hearing people have a rich culture and benefit from learning sign language for communication purposes. People who are only partially deaf can sometimes make use of hearing aids to improve their hearing ability.

The definition of a “health condition” is an illness, injury, impairment or physical or mental condition. It too can be visible or invisible. This could include but not be limited to: diabetes, cardiovascular disease, allergies, cancer, colitis, epilepsy, back injuries arthritis, amputation, etc.

• REES offers a variety of services and programs that are designed to help you develop the skills and opportunities to find employment.

• There are many ways to get in contact with REES. You can call us at 204-832-7337, email: info@re-es.org or contact us directly through our website: www.re-es.org. From there you can schedule an intake meeting.

• The intake process begins when you contact REES and book an appointment. You will meet with a member of the REES staff and fill out some paper work. You will also be ask a questions so we can partner you with an employment counsellor that best fits your needs.

• Initially there are some documents that need to be completed. Then you meet with an intake officer to discuss previous work history, accommodations potentially required and other details that relate employment.

Contact REES to schedule an appointment with an intake officer.

Approximately 1 hour. Less if the documents are completed in advance.

All workshops, Employer Forums, Drop-in’s and other events are located on the Events & Resources tab on the REES website.

REES’s offers a variety of services such as (but not limited to): employment counselling, consultation services, workshop series, resume and cover letter development, Employer Forums, job search strategies, Customer Service Professional training, assistance with basic computer skills, interview skills and access to other training programs and community resources.

The length of time to find employment is based on the client and the level of motivation, engagement, effort, skills and opportunities, etc. The labour market also plays a role as to what is available.

There are a variety of programs available to clients; Employment Assistance Services (EAS), REES Internship Program (RINT), REES Co-op Project (RCP), REES Hiring Incentive Project (RHIP), plus Deaf and hard of hearing services.

The process (Action Plan) is structured to the needs of each client.

• The REES Hiring Incentive Project (RHIP) was designed to connect unemployed clients with physical disabilities and/or health conditions with on-the-job training that could potentially lead to continuing employment. REES assists employers in hiring qualified people with physical disabilities and/or health conditions.
  
  
• This project will pay for a time-limited period (maximum of 80 hours) of on-the-job training and assessment. If job performance is satisfactory, the employer may agree to provide ongoing employment. Wages during the training period, as well as Workers Compensation coverage, are provided by the RHIP Project.

The REES Internship Project (RINT) connects persons with physical disabilities and/or health conditions with employers for an opportunity to secure employment, through a Targeted Wage Subsidy. REES provides employers with the opportunity to acquire pre-screened, ready-to- work clients.

The REES Co-op Project (RCP) helps people with physical disabilities and/or health conditions kick-start their employment using a wage-subsidy or paid internship for up to 6 months. We offer pre-employment and ongoing training/workshops to help clients gain experience, and a current work reference.

REES services for job seekers who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing includes the use of the Video Relay Service (VRS), Employment Counsellors who communicate using American Sign Language (ASL), training for employers regarding accommodating people in the workplace who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, and assistance accessing interpreters for job interviews, and on the job training with employers.

An employment accommodation is an adjustment to a job or work environment that makes it possible for an individual with a disability to perform their job duties. Accommodations may include specialized equipment, modifications to the work environment or adjustments to work schedules or responsibilities.

Most accommodations are simple to enforce and relatively inexpensive, here are a few examples: flexible work schedules, adding computer software such as text to speech or screen magnifiers, alternative communication methods, moving the workspace to an environment that is quieter or with better lighting

Letting a potential employer know of any physical disability and/or health condition that might impact to your job duties.

REES provides assistance to any person with a physical disability and/or health condition who is at least 17 years of age and older.

The REES Employment Counsellors will assess your skills and desired outcomes then collaboratively develop an action plan to attain sustainable employment.

REES employment counsellors help with a variety of aspects throughout your time at REES. This will include a detailed edit of both cover letters and your resumes.

Services are 100% free!

REES is located at 305-1200 Portage Ave., Winnipeg, Manitoba

a. REES is a registered not-for-profit/charitable foundation and is funded through The Government of Canada, The United Way of Winnipeg, The Winnipeg Foundation, and others.

A person with a physical disability and/or health condition and are over the age of 17 then you qualify! If you have any questions or are uncertain please call us at 204-832-7337.

Yes, we can only help those with physical disabilities and/or health conditions. Surprisingly most people will actually at some point in their lives quality for REES services!

REES services are available as long as you are looking for a minimum of 15 hours/week.

REES services for job seekers who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing includes the use of the Video Relay Service (VRS), Employment Counsellors who communicate using American Sign Language (ASL), training for employers regarding accommodating people in the workplace who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, and assistance accessing interpreters for job interviews, and on the job training with employers.

Visit REES at 305-1200 Portage Ave., Winnipeg, Manitoba, phone: 204-832-7337, email: info@re-es.org or use the chat function on the REES website from 8:00am – 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday

REES assists and advocates on behalf of those with physical disabilities and/or health conditions find sustainable employment.

Reaching E-Quality Employment Services (REES) has been assisting people with physical disabilities and/or health conditions connect with quality employment since 1989.

It demonstrates a diverse and inclusive workforce that is representative of the community at large. It provides you with more eligible candidates to select from, in addition to increasing morale and improving corporate culture. Additionally, the attrition rate among those with disabilities and/or health conditions is typically lower.

There is no set time period that we will help clients. The time frame is on a case by case basis.

Advocacy is acting, speaking or writing to promote, protect and defend the human rights of people with disability.

We do not provide any job coaching or shadowing however we do have programs that will help transition you into the workplace.

REES does have programs that will assist with supported employment. Please contact us for further information www.re-es.org 204-832-7337 info@re-es.org

REES may be able to assist people under these circumstances contact REES to discuss your unique situation. www.re-es.org 204-832-7337 info@re-es.org