Career Services

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

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

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

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

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 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!

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

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:

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