New Brunswick Association for Community Living

http://nbacl.nb.ca/supports/employers/

The New Brunswick Association for Community Living implements many excellent programs, but one that is particularly important is their Employment & Training Initiative. This project is aimed at improving inclusive education at the high school level as well as the transition process from high school to employment. It works with educators in a long-term relationship that allows them to learn inclusive strategies for their classrooms. It has also worked with educational assistants to train them in facilitating the inclusion of their students into the wider school community. True inclusion in the school system is key to helping students with disabilities to develop social skills as well as friendships with their peers without disabilities. This progressive program is also developing a reflection tool for educators to help them reflect on the quality of inclusion in their schools. Furthermore, the NBACL is working to make work experience part of the high school program for youth with intellectual disabilities, a key step to improving the transition process. Transition into the community and exposure to more and different environments is also important as it provides further opportunities for friendship and interaction in the wider community.