There are many ways to gain valuable experience on and off campus to help you develop professionally and personally; to complement your studies, and to aid in exploring possible careers. Some students with disabilities may have concerns or barriers around gaining experience. If this is the case, the Career Centre can help you to find solutions to access these crucial opportunities and get the most out of them. Please make an appointment with a Career Counsellor to discuss any concerns and to develop a plan to help you build valuable career experience and skills outside the classroom.
Below is a sampling of internship and recruitment programs specifically for persons with disabilities. However, many students are unaware of the tremendous opportunities here on campus open to all students. First, consult this brief list of on-campus opportunities, then scroll down to see the resources and programs specifically for students with disabilities.
Resources for all students
- The Experiential Education Unit (EEU)
- Research Opportunities Program (ROP)
- Internship Courses
- Community Engaged Learning
- Centre for Student Engagement (CSE)
- Student Clubs and Societies
- On-Campus Opportunities for Experience E-Booklet
- The Work Study Program
- The Career Centre: Internships Tip Sheet
- The Career Centre: Research Experience Tip Sheet
Resources for Students with Disabilities
Career Edge
Offers access to meaningful, career-launching paid internships in a wide range of non-regulated fields including Finance, Marketing, Human Resources, Technology, Engineering, Business Operations, Administration and more. Since 1996, Career Edge, a self-sustaining social enterprise, has provided leadership in connecting private, public and not-for-profit businesses with diverse, qualified talent.
DiscoverAbility Network
DiscoverAbility Network is an online platform that matches job seekers with disabilities with employers looking for skilled candidates. The aim is for employers to outreach to this demographic and find, hire and retain talented candidates who happen to have a disability. They have a variety of types of opportunities including internships.
Lime Connect
Lime Connect is a global not-for-profit organization that's rebranding disability through achievement. They do that by attracting, preparing and connecting high-potential university students and alumni who happen to have disabilities for internships, The Lime Connect Fellowship Program and full-time careers with their corporate partners - the world's leading corporations. Lime Connect also offers scholarship and leadership-building opportunities for students with disabilities.
Dolphin Consulting and Dolphin DMD
An IT consulting firm that utilizes technology to create a level playing field thereby becoming the first business in Canada to develop barrier-free solutions for persons with disabilities. They have a mentoring program and have facilitated the hiring of people with disabilities with their corporate partners.
RBC
RBC has a specific initiative to increase diversity hiring and hire persons with disabilities. Their “Disability Employee Resources Group-REACH” program that allows individuals with different disabilities to connect and network with each other while developing professionally within RBC. They also have partnered with Career Edge to offer internships.
TD Canada Trust
TD Canada Trust embraces diversity and hires people from a wide range of experiences, backgrounds and abilities. TD Canada Trust People with Disabilities
BMO Internship (Partnered with Lime Connect Canada and Career Edge)
The BMO Financial Group creates opportunities for students and new grads, and persons with disabilities.
Ontario Internship Program
Ontario Internship Program provides paid internships across a wide spectrum of fields (Communications, Finance and Economics, Health, and more). As a government and diversity employer, diverse candidates such as persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. There is now a dedicated stream for applicants with disabilities.
Other Internships and Coops in the Ontario Public Service
The Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP)
The Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP) provides students with learning opportunities through valuable, hands-on work experience. As a government and diversity employer, diverse candidates such as persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Federal Internship Program for Canadians with Disabilities
The Federal Internship Program for Canadians with Disabilities is a national program that offers paid internships to Canadians with disabilities. Interns will have the opportunity to develop their work skills and increase their employability.
AMI TV Paid Internships for Students with Disabilities
Accessible Media Inc. / AMI Internships Exciting opportunities await students who have a passion to make a difference every day. AMI will provide a challenging and rewarding experience in the Broadcast industry in a wide variety of technical, business and creative roles.
NEADS Listings of Mentorships and Internships
A listing of mentorship programs and other opportunities for students and grads with disabilities can be found here.
updated July 2023