Emily was referred to Neil Squire’s Creative Employment Options program by her doctor after a diagnosis of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), a neurological condition which causes severe pain. Emily had been job hunting for the previous nine months and knew that fully remote positions were less common than they had been previously during the pandemic. However, she was determined to be optimistic about securing a remote position since she is unable to commute due to leg and hand pain.

When Emily joined the Creative Employment Options program, she was taking an online cybersecurity certificate at the University of Ottawa and was unsure if she wanted to pursue employment in this field or continue to grow her career in marketing and social media.

She met with her Case Manager to help identify her skills, experience and interests. Together they researched occupations and the labour market, eventually identifying marketing and administrative support occupations that Emily wanted to target. Emily received an ergonomic and assistive technology assessment to identify workplace accommodations to support her employment.

Emily worked with a Job Developer to get support with resume and cover letter writing, interview preparation, and the job search. In particular, they discussed how Emily might disclose her disability during her interviews.

She interviewed for several marketing and administrative support positions.

Emily’s hard work paid off after she landed a fully remote Administrative Assistant role with a forensics firm. Through Creative Employment Options, her employer received a wage subsidy, and Emily received a footrest which properly supports her legs, preventing lower back and leg pain. Once she was hired, her Job Developer continued to support both Emily and her employer as she started work to ensure the accommodations were in place for her to work at her best.

Emily thrived in her new role. When the wage subsidy term came to an end, Emily was offered and accepted full time employment.