At CVS, we believe that all people have a contribution to make to society. One contribution is paid employment. The expectation of employment is now part of the evolution of our field of community living. We want to promote greater inclusion and belonging.

We understand the challenges that achieving employment poses to individuals because of barriers such as accessibility, lack of expertise for workplace accommodations, employer attitudes, and the perspective of some people in our communities who see the deficits of people instead of their gifts and strengths. The individuals we serve, staff, and families are also exposed to society's deficit-based attitudes and, as such, employment is sometimes difficult to see as part of the day-to-day reality.

To shift the deficit-based thinking, we have already started our work to make change, shift attitudes, and enhance the training and expertise of individuals, staff and families to ensure that people have real and meaningful opportunities for employment within our existing community-based services.

We are embracing customized and supported employment methods that start with a discovery process - a set of ideal conditions for employment - followed by job development, coaching, fading, monitoring and assisting the employer to continue to support the employee on an on-going basis.

We have undertaken asset mapping exercises and employer outreach to uncover potential social contacts that will allow us to approach employers with an introduction. And for people who are interested, we will also provide support for self-employment.