Easter Seals Ontario held a Youth Conference on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at the Langstaff Community Center (Richmond Hill, ON) targeted to 15-20-year-old participants and their parents/guardians. This in-person conference included a keynote speaker and hands-on workshops. All of the workshops will be recorded and edited versions will be posted on the Easter Seals Ontario YouTube. Links will be added to this page once the videos are complete.
Funding for this conference has been generously provided by TD Secure Futures and RBC Future Launch Programs and is geared to provide content, instruction, and practical support to youth with physical disabilities as they transition from youth to adulthood.
Conference Presentations
Money Management
- Managing Personal Finances – Iryna McCorquodale, BMO Branch Manager
- Saving for the Future – Aran Aghajanyan, BMO Branch Manager
Planning for Employment
- Disclosing Disability Information, Accommodation Requirements, and General Interview Skills by Maria Collins Disclosing Disability Information, Accommodation Requests and Interview Skills
- Job Search Strategies – Scott Allardyce, Allardyce Employment Services Job Search Strategies – Scott Allardyce
Planning for Post-Secondary Education
- ScholarshipsCanada workshop – Finding and applying for Scholarships Presentation by Logan Bright ScholarshipsCanada Handout – Spring 2025
- Ontario TECH University – Student Accessibility Services (SAS) – Post-Secondary Accommodations and Supports for Students with Disabilities at College and University Student Accessibility Services Workshop – March 2025
Resources to Support Youth with Disabilities
The following resources are shared to support youth on their journey to adulthood:
Money Management
RBC Future Launch Resources to support students with disabilities develop pre-employment skills and knowledge
- Programs and Services
- In School – Tools and Resources
- Youth Outlook Study – RBC Research and Insights
TD Financial Literacy Resources:
- Money Talks – Financial Fundamentals for Youth with Disabilities
- Money Talks – Worksheet 1 – Money and Emotions Worksheet
- Money Talks – Worksheet 2 – Facing Challenges Worksheet
- Money Talks – Worksheet 3 – Choosing a Bank
- MoneyTalks-Worksheet-4-Information-about-RDSP
- MoneyTalks-Worksheet-5-Banking-Safety-Worksheet-
- MoneyTalks-Worksheet-6-Tracking-your-Spending
- MoneyTalks-Worksheet-7-Creating-a-Spending-plan-Worksheet
TD – Supports for Students With Special Needs – Adaptive Learning Adaptive Learning
- Adaptive Learning
- Video – Money Matters Changed My Life
- Talking to kids about money | TD Stories
- Money Talks – Abilities Canada – Abilities magazine
- Money Talks – Financial Fundamentals for Youth with Disabilities
Funding Post-Secondary Education at College or University
NEADS’ (National Education Association of Disabled Students) Scholarships for Students With Disabilities
Prosper Canada’s Benefits Wayfinder – Information on Financial Benefits and Programs Including Disability Benefits, Employment, and Education Benefits
ScholarshipsCanada – Get Connected to Scholarships
Scholarship Listings Post-Secondary Scholarship Listings
Background Information on Workplaces and Disability
2024 StatsCan Report on Workplace Accessibility Challenges in Canada
2025 StatsCan Infographic on Employees With Disabilities
Please note that more resources from the conference, including tip sheets and videos, will be added as they are completed.