a young man with Down syndrome working in a commercial kitchen, wearing a black cap and tan apron, with a food box in one hand and a pair of tongs in the other
Events + Workshops

Employment: The Gold Standard for Inclusion

Aja Masters, DSRF’s Employment Specialist, will host a presentation for families of children with Down syndrome of all ages on Employment: The Gold Standard for Inclusion. Aja will be joined by parent Sue Robins, who will share her personal experience of navigating the employment world with her son Aaron.

It is never too early to start thinking about employment and how you can provide opportunities from an early age for future employment success. Presuming competence and raising expectations for people with disabilities is one place to start! This presentation is geared towards families with younger children, although all are welcome to join. We will discuss the importance of:

  • Preparing early for employment success at home and school
  • Basic literacy and numeracy
  • Providing opportunities, from an early age, for problem-solving, teamwork, and learning to learn
  • Volunteering, work experience, and paid work opportunities
  • Learning about programs in your community that support access to employment

Presenter: Aja Masters

Aja (she/her) has been an instructor at DSRF since 2015. She graduated from Simon Fraser University with a major in psychology and a minor in learning and developmental disabilities. In 2020, Aja completed the Employment Support Specialty certificate program at Douglas College, and in 2022 she took the Supported Employment Essentials Training with CASE. She believes in inclusive employment for all and is excited to offer one-on-one employment services for individuals looking for meaningful work.