<p> Youth@Work: Exploring the First Work Experiences of Youth with Disabilities</p><p>Sally Lindsay,1,2 Carolyn Mcdougall,3 Robyn Sanford3 & Tracey Adams4 1 Bloorview Research Institute, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital 2 Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto 3 Participation and Inclusion Centre, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital 4 Department of Sociology, University of Western Ontario</p><p>Issue: Although paid employment is a key mechanism to improving social inclusion and reducing poverty, people with disabilities remain under-represented in the labour force. </p><p>Background: Most research on the experiences of people with disabilities has focused on adults while relatively little is known about the experience of adolescents, which is a key age where they are forming their self-concepts and striving to engage in broader social roles. Although there is a great need for more employment training programs for young people with disabilities, there are relatively few employment service agencies that support youth with disabilities who are looking for employment. The Youth@Work program addresses this gap by offering 2 work placements, skill building workshops, individual assessment, counselling, coaching, and peer mentor meetings over a 12-month period. </p><p>Methods: We have monitored 2 years of client’s participation in the Youth@Work program to explore youth’s first employment and skill-building experiences. We draw on in-depth interviews with current and past participants (n=20), questionnaires to parents and past participants (n=40), in addition to staff and self-assessments of skill development throughout the program. </p><p>Results: Our results show that the Youth@Work program helped to improve self-confidence, social skills and other ‘soft skills’ (such as decision-making, problem-solving and time management); awareness of interests; how to disclose disability and ask employers for accommodations. Former participants of the Youth@Work program reported that they were equipped with the skills they needed to find a job; however many still encountered challenges in obtaining a paid position. </p><p>Conclusions: The Youth@Work program helped to build employment-related skills and experience for adolescents with disabilities. Suggestions for the further development of such employment readiness programs will be discussed.</p>