Client story: EmploymentWorks
From instructor-led to self-directed
How EmploymentWorks worked with LCL’s team to redesign
600 learning hours into 12 self-directed modules to help autistic Canadians build their employment readiness skills.
An inaccessible delivery model
Not enough options for learners
Before and during the early days of the pandemic, EmploymentWorks was only available as a synchronous, 6-week program. Participants joined a 600 hour cohort and attended weekly classes (virtual or in-person), but this didn’t work for everyone. Often the schedule and the format deterred people from this opportunity. This was also an ineffective modality for people with social anxiety.
In order to serve their participants better, the Sinneave Family Foundation needed to adapt EmploymentWorks into a more flexible, self-directed, and bilingual experience. They also needed support in creating migration and evaluation plans in order to measure the effectiveness of their transition.
Ultimately, the Sinneave Family Foundation was looking for advice on how to create and implement a learning strategy in order to deliver EmploymentWorks training most effectively to increase access and options for job-seekers and autistic self-advocates across Canada.
Bilingual AND accessible
Meeting learner needs
EmploymentWorks serves a specific audience and LCL wanted to ensure that the needs of this audience were met. Including inclusive design principles from the outset were critical, and a level of web content accessibility guidelines (WCAG) were agreed upon. Creating options through differing learning paths helped give agency to learners, letting them choose how they wanted to engage with content.
The challenge in migrating an in-person delivery to a remote one, is that it’s more complicated than you’d think. The process involves full cycle development and design, and can involve website integration, web content, implementation, and testing.
“Nothing about us, without us.”
When designing for accessibility, it’s important to operate by the mantra “nothing about us, without us.” This participatory call to action by disabled peoples organizations throughout the world aims to achieve the full participation and equalization of opportunities for, by and with persons with disabilities. In inclusive design, this principle is sometimes referred to as, ‘shift left’ meaning that accessibility is implemented early on in the design process.
In order to deliver a learner-centered approach that was accessible to EmploymentWorks participants, Leah Chang Learning (LCL) worked with people with autism and neurodiverse employment coaches throughout the design process. This process helped create an accessible asynchronous offering, increasing access and options for job-seekers and autistic self-advocates across Canada to participate in English or French at their own pace.
An engaging experience
Creating engaging learning is multi-faceted. In order to support learners in gaining the skills they needed, content was developed in a combination of self-directed and blended learning in both French and English. Leveraging existing in-person learning assets, LCL created gamification and scenario-based learning to help learners get the most out of their experience.
Additional curricula and supporting materials were created through consultation with subject matter experts. LCL helped The Sinneave Family Foundation select and implement an accessible learning management system, and supported the integration of all new materials.
Full-service eLearning project success
Resources to meet varied learner needs.
Increased users
Transitioning to online learning meant that EmploymentWorks became available to a wider group of learners across Canada and in remote locations.
Increased access to remote areas
The asynchronous, remote offering made accessing EmploymentWorks available to Canadians across the country, including remote areas.
Testing by people with disabilities
All EmploymentWorks content was vetted by persons with disabilities through collaboration sessions during the design and development processes.
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“Leah’s team came with a glowing recommendation from another not-for–profit in the inclusive employment space. Her team guided us through the process of creating an engaging eLearning program, which fit our budget and timeline. Their expertise in developing eLearning courses was clear as they developed the content, held stakeholder engagement sessions, and together we successfully launched the EmploymentWorks Online program in spring 2022.
Leah and her team have been wonderful to work with and we are continuing to work with them on new projects.”
Sarah Symonds, Project Officer @ The Sinneave Family Foundation.
