Career Services
Ontario ARC works with individuals with intellectual and other developmental disabilities to help find and maintain meaningful employment. A wide range of services and supports are offered including exploration of career interests, job readiness programs, and in some cases, more directly supported work environment. The goal throughout is to help individuals find relevant opportunities and continue to excel in their chosen path.
College Experience
An innovative program offering access to a college campus and its amenities, including extracurricular activities, athletic facilities and cafeteria, and the opportunity to audit classes. Local internships are an important part of the program, with the goal of long-term employment.
The program supports enhancing social skills, promoting independence, increasing community involvement and employment interests, including rehabilitation counseling.
Location: Finger Lakes Community College and Hobart & William Smith College Campuses
Activities include:
- Extracurricular and student activities
- Dining at the cafeterias
- Access to athletic facilities
- Opportunity to audit classes
- Internships at local businesses
- Rehab counseling
Employment Training Program
The Employment Training Program (ETP) offers individuals an opportunity to work in an internship that will lead to permanent employment in a community business. During the internship, wages will be paid by through ETP while the individual learns the skills needed for the job. ETP participants also attend job readiness classes that present topics such as conflict resolution and how to dress for work. ETP services include increased job development and job coaching as well as assistance with other employability skills.
Contact: JoEllen Schaefer at 585.919.2118
Job Development and Job Placement
An Ontario ARC placement specialist works with an individual with a disability to review work history and job skills and determine a career interest. The placement specialist also assists with resume development and career searches to find a suitable match for a rewarding career opportunity.
Activities include:
- Arranging mock interviews
- Searching for jobs in newspapers, online, at recruitment agencies, and by visiting possible employers and job shadowing.
Contact: JoEllen Schaefer at 585.919.2118
Job Readiness
College Experience
An innovative program offering access to a college campus and its amenities, including extracurricular activities, athletic facilities and cafeteria, and the opportunity to audit classes. Local internships are an important part of the program, with the goal of long-term employment.
The program supports enhancing social skills, promoting independence, increasing community involvement and employment interests, including rehabilitation counseling.
Location: Finger Lakes Community College and Hobart & William Smith College Campuses
Activities include:
- Extracurricular and student activities
- Dining at the cafeterias
- Access to athletic facilities
- Opportunity to audit classes
- Internships at local businesses
- Rehab counseling
Pathway to Employment
A person-centered, comprehensive career/vocational employment planning and support service that provides assistance for individuals to obtain, maintain, or advance in competitive employment or self-employment.
Pathway to Employment engages each individual in identifying a career/vocational direction that supports their needs and provides instruction and training in pre-employment skills. The goal is to develop a path for achieving employment at or above minimum wage.
Pathways
Individuals enrolled in Pathways have the opportunity to work, volunteer and participate in personal enrichment options in a variety of settings. They gain and practice their skills to prepare for further direction in areas of employment in order to become productive, valued members of their community.
Activities:
- Wellness Activities
- Art
- Music
- Horticulture
- Food Service
- Social Opportunities with Seniors
- Animal Assisted Activities (Pet Connections)
- Retail
- Fundraising*
- Coordinating Special Events
- Computer Skills
- Outdoor Clean-Up
- Collating
- Repurposing Textiles
Project SEARCH
A nationally-renowned program designed to support people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities as they seek employment in non-traditional jobs. Participants over the age of 21 develop job and work skills with the goal of shaping a career path with practical knowledge gained from working in several departments. Involvement in day-to-day operations offers an advantage when applying for long-term employment.
Activities include:
- direct instruction from a New York State-certified teacher
- hands-on internships working alongside staff with feedback regarding strengths and areas of improvement
- on-site job coaching
Contact: JoEllen Schaefer at 585.919.2118
Pathway to Employment
A person-centered, comprehensive career/vocational employment planning and support service that provides assistance for individuals to obtain, maintain, or advance in competitive employment or self-employment.
Pathway to Employment engages each individual in identifying a career/vocational direction that supports their needs and provides instruction and training in pre-employment skills. The goal is to develop a path for achieving employment at or above minimum wage.
Pet Connections™
Pet Connections provides opportunities for career development and training for people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities who are considering a career in pet and animal care. Participants in Pet Connections get a glimpse into careers in the animal care field including instruction in dog grooming, and making animal related products for the BAD DOG retail line.
The career training component of Pet Connections is provided, in part through the BAD DOG retail program and the BAD DOG Spa.
Related information
Pet Connections™ Bad Dog™ retail products
Pet Connections™ dog obedience classes
Pet Connections™ support services
Contact: JoEllen Schaefer at 585.919.2118
Connect with us!
Project SEARCH
A nationally-renowned program designed to support people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities as they seek employment in non-traditional jobs. Participants over the age of 21 develop job and work skills with the goal of shaping a career path with practical knowledge gained from working in several departments. Involvement in day-to-day operations offers an advantage when applying for long-term employment.
Activities include:
- direct instruction from a New York State-certified teacher
- hands-on internships working alongside staff with feedback regarding strengths and areas of improvement
- on-site job coaching
Contact: JoEllen Schaefer at 585.919.2118
Supported Employment
Community Placement
Employment for individuals with disabilities in an integrated setting with ongoing support services in order to obtain, perform, and retain a job. The service includes job placement and coaching, assistance interacting with employers, on-site assistive technology training and individualized job training.
The following businesses proudly partner with Ontario ARC to offer employment opportunities for people with disabilities:
Canandaigua Daily Messenger
Canandaigua Messenger Post
Canandaigua VA Medical Center
Crossmans
Clifton Springs Hospital
Dunkin Donuts – Canandaigua
Ferris Hills
Express Mart
F.F. Thompson Health
Farmington Gardens
Finger Lakes Health (Geneva General Hospital)
Finger Lakes Race Track
Finger Lakes Wood Working
G.W. Lisk
Geneva City School District
Geneva Presbyterian Church
Goodwill – Victor
Gorbel
Hartmann’s Olde World Sausage
Hometown Pizza
Health Systems
Joe’s Hots
Mark’s Pizzeria – Canandaigua
Mark’s Pizzeria – Shortsville
McDonald’s – Canandaigua
McDonald’s – Geneva
Moe’s Southwest Grill – Victor
NYS Thruway Authority
Ontario ARC
Pactiv
Pizza Hut – Canandaigua
Ryan’s Wine and Spirits
Seneca Travel Plaza
Sodexo (FLCC and Hobart William Smith College)
Tops – Canandaigua
Tops – Geneva
UltraFab
Village Grill
Volunteers of America – Canandaigua
Walmart – Canandaigua
Walmart – Geneva
Wegmans – Canandaigua
Wegmans – Geneva
Wegmans – Perinton
Wendy’s – Victor
Walgreen’s – Canandaigua
Enclaves & Mobile Work Crews
Employment placements for groups of up to eight workers based in the community. We are proud to partner with the following businesses to offer manufacturing-based employment options for people with disabilities:
- Koch Container
- G.W. Lisk
- UltraFab
- Canandaigua Wine
- Pactiv
- Maco Bag
Vocational Assessment
An Assessment Specialist will carry out a Needs Assessment with the job seeker to identify skills, interests, and ambitions, with focus on identifying the type of work that a person with a disability would like to pursue.
Activities include:
- Updating resumes
- Writing cover letters
- Work experience for job sampling/testing purposes
Contact: JoEllen Schaefer at 585.919.2118