How Can Adults with Developmental Disabilities Prepare for Employment?
Work is part of the human experience. For adults, work provides a pathway for growth, financial independence, social connection, and a sense of purpose. However, for many young adults with developmental disabilities, meaningful employment opportunities are not always accessible. Many have the desire and potential to work but face barriers that prevent them from entering the workforce.
Work potential for persons with disabilities is a concept used to assess how the labour force could change under ideal conditions, including a job market free from discrimination that provides full inclusion, accessibility, and accommodation. A 2026 report from Statistics Canada found that 88.7% of youth aged 15–24 with disabilities had work potential, while 40.6% of adults aged 25–64 with developmental disabilities had work potential.¹ Despite this potential, the job market does not yet reflect the capabilities of people with disabilities. Special needs employment opportunities remain limited due to barriers to inclusion, accessibility, and accommodation. In Canada, only 46.4% of people with disabilities were employed in 2024, compared to 66.2% of people without disabilities.²
Creating more inclusive workplaces is essential to improving these outcomes. Research suggests that employers who hire persons with disabilities are often influenced by positive personal interactions and previous experiences.³ When businesses embrace inclusive hiring practices, they can see firsthand the skills, perspectives, and valuable contributions that employees with disabilities bring to the workplace.
To improve disability employment outcomes, young adults need access to meaningful opportunities for skill development, work preparation, and community involvement. At Calgary Quest Resources' Centre for Opportunity (CFO), we support young adults aged 18–28 with developmental disabilities as they transition from high school into adulthood. Our program focuses on developing vocational and life skills, building confidence, and creating meaningful opportunities for participants to contribute to their communities. Through individualized learning, employment readiness training, and community-based experiences, we help participants explore their interests and prepare for jobs for people with disabilities in Calgary.
Central to our approach is the belief that every participant has unique strengths, abilities, and goals. We work alongside participants to identify meaningful opportunities that reflect their interests and support their personal development. Work readiness begins with an exploration of each participant's personal interests, goals, and strengths. These factors help us identify suitable employment and volunteer opportunities. When exploring potential positions, we consider what an ideal work environment might look like for each participant. Would they prefer a busy, social environment or a quieter setting? Do they enjoy a consistent routine, or would they rather experience something new each day?
We also consider how their individual strengths translate into different workplace tasks. Someone who enjoys organization and attention to detail may thrive in a role involving sorting or inventory, while someone who enjoys being active may prefer a more physical environment. There is a wide range of potential jobs for people with disabilities, and finding opportunities that align with each participant's interests and abilities is an important part of our approach.
Once participants have identified their interests and strengths, the program focuses on developing practical skills that support employment readiness and greater independence. Workplace skills are generally divided into two categories: hard skills and soft skills.
Hard skills are specific, practical abilities needed to complete tasks. These might include preparing food, organizing inventory, sorting materials, or following workplace procedures.
Soft skills are interpersonal and personal abilities that help individuals succeed in the workplace. These include communication, teamwork, time management, problem-solving, and adaptability.
Both are essential for employment. Hard skills help participants develop the practical abilities needed to complete tasks, while soft skills support positive interactions, effective communication, and confidence in different environments. At the Centre for Opportunity, participants develop these skills through structured learning and hands-on experiences. Our program also emphasizes self-advocacy, personal safety, establishing boundaries, developing healthy habits, and understanding citizenship and community expectations, all of which support greater independence and participation in everyday life.
These skills are not limited to preparing participants for jobs for disabled persons. They are valuable tools that support personal development, community participation, and a meaningful adult life. An important part of our program is providing participants with opportunities to apply their skills in real-world settings through strategic community volunteer placements. Our partnerships with organizations such as the Salvation Army, Sentry Box, Sunalta Community Hub, Scarboro United Church, and Two House Brewing Company provide opportunities for participants to develop practical skills, gain workplace experience, and contribute to their communities. These experiences go beyond preparing participants for employment. They help build meaningful relationships, foster inclusion, and create a genuine sense of belonging.
Through their ongoing involvement, participants become valued members of the organizations they support. Employees, volunteers, and community members get to know them, recognize their contributions, and often ask about them when they are absent. This demonstrates the importance of creating inclusive communities where individuals with developmental disabilities are not simply present but are recognized, appreciated, and missed when they are not there. By contributing to their communities, participants gain confidence, develop meaningful relationships, and discover the value of their individual strengths and abilities.
In addition to employment readiness and volunteering, participants receive ongoing mentorship and support as they work toward their individual goals. Preparing for employment is a journey, and there are still significant barriers to equitable disability jobs and employment opportunities for people with developmental disabilities. Programs like the Centre for Opportunity help bridge the gap between high school and adulthood by providing continued learning, practical experience, and opportunities for personal growth. At Calgary Quest, we believe that meaningful employment and community participation are about more than developing skills. They are about fostering independence, building confidence, creating connections, and ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to contribute and belong.
Through the Centre for Opportunity, we strive to empower participants to recognize their potential, pursue their aspirations, and build meaningful lives within their communities.
Want to learn more? Discover how Calgary Quest Resources' Centre for Opportunity supports young adults with developmental disabilities through life skills development, employment readiness, and community involvement. Visit our Centre for Opportunity page.
References
Statistics Canada. (2026). Examining work potential and overqualification among persons with disabilities. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/89-654-x/89-654-x2026002-eng.htm
Statistics Canada. (2025). Labour market characteristics of persons with and without disabilities, 2024. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/71-222-x/71-222-x2025001-eng.htm
Iwanaga, K., Chen, X., Grenawalt, T. A., Mpofu, N., Chan, F., Lee, F., Rung Wu, J., & Tansey, T. N. (2021). Employer Attitudes and Practices Affecting the Recruitment and Hiring of People with Disabilities: A Scoping Review. Journal of Rehabilitation, 87(2), 4–16.