TYDE – Transitioning Youth with Disabilities and Employment

We have built an online, interactive program that aims to foster self-determination of learners and support youth participants in their employment journey. The program includes seven modules, which are completed by youth with support from a support person (e.g., a parent, an employment coach, a teacher or educational assistant). The modules include:

• • Unit 0: Getting started! Learn why thinking about your future with other people matters!
  • Unit 1: Do things that matter to you! The choices, decisions, and goals you set help you to create the life you want, including getting a job! Learn about the importance of relationships, speaking up, and creating opportunities for yourself with your circle of support.
  • Unit 2: Getting to know yourself. Create a personal profile to help you identify jobs or opportunities of interest to you. Learn how your strengths, skills, preferences, interests, and hobbies can help you create the future you want, including getting a job.
  • Unit 3: Take steps towards the future you want. Learn how to set goals, make plans, and choose school or after-school options that will help to create the future you want, including getting a job.
  • Unit 4: Be your best self. Learn ways to feel and do your best as you take on new roles and responsibilities at school, in the community, or in preparing to get a job. Building a positive mindset for self-care, learning, or self advocacy can help you when working with others or building new relationships.
  • Unit 5: Put yourself out there! Learn about valuable work habits and ways to communicate your strengths in a resume or during interviews.  By matching your strengths and skills with roles and responsibilities you want, you can prepare for the opportunities you want.
  • Unit 6: Thrive in your job. If you are already working, learn about important parts of working, including how to manage your money. While learning new things, you will continue building your skills and abilities as you become part of the team.
  • Unit 7: Review what you’ve learned! The goals and plans you’ve identified in each unit are a great step toward doing things that matter to you and successful employment.

This past year we partnered with five school districts and five community living organizations to pilot the program. 64 youth participated. Feedback from the youth was very positive.

The TYDE curriculum was designed to align with BC Ministry of Education Core Competencies and designed to complement the Careers curriculum.

In early November 2025, we will be releasing the TYDE Program publicly and for free for use of any agencies, families, and schools who are supporting youth transitioning to  employment. We hope that TYDE can make an impact for youth as they transition from school to work.

For more information, please contact Dr. Rachelle Hole or Dr. Sandra Polushin.