Glen Korstrom
Northern News Services

NNSL (Nov 05/99) - Human Resources and Development Canada's opportunities fund has grown and shown itself to be a success, but funding has not been secured after March 2000.

Back in October 1997 no disabled persons were accessing the fund but by October 1998 there were 28.

Today there are 48 disabled persons accessing the fund.

The fund provides wage subsidies and helps employers buy some special equipment for disabled employees.

Wendy Carter from Adanac Management is one example of an employer who successfully accessed the fund.

She said disabled employee Nola Carter has worked for the bookkeeping service for one year.

The fund paid 60 per cent of Carter's wage and also provided $800 to buy an extra large computer screen and an audio booster for the telephone because of Carter's visual and hearing impairments.

Now that the training period has finished, Carter is fully trained and has all the equipment needed to do the job so she has been kept on without the benefit of the wage subsidy.

The fund is not only for those with visible disabilities such as being in a wheelchair but also for hidden disabilities such as depression and schizophrenia or hearing disabilities.

"It helps these people get back into the workforce," said Rae Celotti, who is the disabled persons work strategy program co-ordinator.

"Basically we're looking at some on the job training so I will help the employer with a wage subsidy of 50 to 60 per cent."

Celotti said she also helps employers with special equipment.

"Because it's not a lot of money, we have to be careful what we're doing," she said.

"I could have an employer come up and say that they will hire a paraplegicin a wheelchair but they will have to revamp the bathroom. There, you're looking at $20,000 to do that, so there's no way that's feasible."

On average Celotti said HRDC pays $5,000 to $10,000 per client.

Though Celotti works with the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, she stresses that the program is run through HRDC and though she submits proposals to access the fund, Ann Cull, who works for HRDC officially approves them.

"For just Yellowknife -- not the communities or anything -- Yellowknife was given $75,000 for the year."