The Ability Society is an Alberta based charity providing a wide variety of programs and services for persons with special needs.  Due to rapid expansion of our programs; we have the following job opportunities in a team based environment:

Immediately Available

Full-time and Part-time Speech-Language Pathologists

The Ability Society is community based service provider that is committed to enhancing the lives of children, youth, adults with special needs and seniors to achieve their highest potential within their community. The Ability Society provides a wide range of services across Alberta, which include: home based programs for children with special needs, computer training, employment programs for youths and adults, equipment lending library, assessment training and education services, and our innovative Friends Movement (helping connect people from all walks of life to social and recreational opportunities.)

• The Speech-Language Pathologist will be responsible for:

• Assessing the functional communication skills of the child.

• Providing guidance to determine an appropriate mode of communication for the child and the child’s family (i.e., verbal, gestured, pictorial, technology-based).

• Developing and implementing functional communication programs.

• Teaching language facilitation strategies to the parents and the Program Assistant (PA).

• Supporting the development of appropriate play skills.

• Targeting increased ability to stay engaged with a communication partner.

• Supporting implementation of visual strategies that may support the child with increased independent skills or with difficulties around transitions.

• Develop and present workshops for parents, staff and the public on applicable strategies for children with severe disabilities.

• Programming for generalization of skills to a number of communication partners and to a number of settings.

• Continuous expansion of communication goals once goals are achieved.

Qualifications:

• Masters degree in speech-language pathology or equivalent

• Registered with ACSLPA

• Alberta drivers license / vehicle

• Experience working with children with Autism (other disabilities an asset)

Excellent compensation based on training and experience

Program Assistants P/T

We have several positions available in what we believe is one of the most important positions within our organization.  Working "one on one" in the home of a child with a special need and supported by a multi-disciplinary clinical team, the successful applicants will be energetic and have experience working with special needs children or be willing to learn. Wage rates are $13.50 to $15.00 per hour.  In certain cases, some late afternoon or evening work may be required.

Program assistants will:

·         Be working with special needs children in a group setting as well as in the home setting.

·         Will be working on specific tasks set up by workshop leaders during the group sessions.

·         Will continue development of skills at home.

·         Assist with communication.

·         Carry out or assistance with behaviour modification and other therapeutic programs as specified in a child’s IPP or ISP and Assist in preparation of learning materials and environment.

Qualifications:

A degree or diploma and/or experience in a related field such as rehabilitation, psychology, early childhood education, special education, social work or child development is preferred.  Students currently enrolled in a post-secondary institution in any of these disciplines are also eligible.

A First Aid certificate and a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certificate are required.

All the above positions require a satisfactory Criminal Record Check and a Child/Youth Intervention Check.  Please submit resumes to Deidre Norris, Director of Operations, in email format to deidre_norris@abilitysociety.org