About Us
ACT, or Accessible Career Transitions is a career development program offered by Career Services for students across all levels of education and disciplines who identify with having a disability.
Through ACT, students can receive ongoing, accessible, individualized support and services at any point of the employment process. View our services page here.
Our goal is to equip students with the tools, resources, and skills to successfully navigate employment while offering a trusted space to discuss disability and work.
Our Objectives
Deliver individualized career advising for Carleton students with disabilities.
- Provide voluntary, student-centred, individualized counselling and advising to undergraduate and graduate students on career goals and job search preparation in both individual and group formats in the areas of resume and cover letter development, job search techniques, interview preparation, networking, workplace preparedness and general employability skills, in addition to areas specifically related to ACT including disclosure, workplace accommodations, identity and disability-related workplace themes.
- Provide clear and accurate career and employment information to students, staff, faculty, and the wider Carleton University community.
- Adapt and adjust services, strategies, and resources to accommodate individual student needs. This includes adapting service as needed during one-on-one appointments and events such as career fairs, and networking events.
- Help students obtain and retain employment opportunities independently (e.g., co-op, on-campus roles, external jobs) and consult on accessibility practices.
Support student-led planning of disclosure and accommodations.
- Advise, counsel, and provide resources to Carleton students with disabilities considering or navigating workplace disclosure and accommodation processes.
- Normalize voluntary disclosure processes and inclusive workplace practices while unpacking ableist systems and attitudes.
Reduce barriers to accessing services.
- No formal diagnosis, paperwork, or “proof of disability” required to register with ACT services.
- Collaborate with Carleton University student services to meet the needs of ACT students in their pursuit of career development.
- Make connections and provide referrals in the community to enhance career support for students with disabilities.
Advocate for the needs and perspectives of Carleton students with disabilities.
- Share insights and best practices with internal and external stakeholders, notably the Career Services and Co-operative Education department.
- Help direct Carleton students with disabilities to appropriate supports and resources.
- Advocate for inclusive systems, services, and resources to meet the needs of ACT students.
Increase availability of information and services by offering a variety of tools and means for students to engage.
- Offer a curated collection of information, tools, and materials via a centralized online platform.
- Host dedicated programming based on evolving student needs and trends.
- Offer services to students and staff in a variety of modalities: Virtual, Phone, In-Person, and Email Consultation.
Offer targeted workshops, training, and faculty requests.
- Deliver workshops and information sessions for students, staff on disability-related workplace themes and ACT.
Measure outcomes and continuous improvement.
- Collect and track advising and programming statistics, feedback, and student outcomes.
Conduct specialized research and maintain sound and up-to-date knowledge of career trends to accurately advise students with disabilities.
Our Team
Jenna Lambert, MSW, RSW, MA (Counselling & Spirituality), MSM
ACT Student Counsellor
jennalambert@cunet.carleton.ca
Jenna supports ACT registrants at any stage of the placement process, including pre-placement, during the work term and post work term. Jenna also offers counselling with a career and disability lens.
Nicole Borges
ACT Advisor
nicole.borges@carleton.ca
Nicole helps students through their career journey by assisting with career exploration strategies, job search strategies, documentation preparation, interview preparation and workplace accommodations.
Amanda Hodgson (On Leave), BAH, BST, M.Ed (Educational Counselling), RP (Inactive)
ACT to Employ Program Coordinator
amandam.hodgson@carleton.ca
Amanda recruits and educates hiring managers regarding accessibility and accommodation, assists employers with creating and advertising accessible job postings, conducting accessible/alternative interviews, and implementing accommodation requests.
ACT Intern/Intake Facilitator
act@carleton.ca
Interns can conduct program intake appointments and support new ACT registrants with entry to our program.
Our History
The Carleton University Accessible Experiential Learning (CUAEL) Project ran from May 2018 to August 2019. Carleton University Career Services, in collaboration with the Paul Menton Centre for Students with Disabilities and the Accessibility Institute (formerly the READ Initiative), launched the Carleton University Accessibility Experiential Learning (CUAEL) Project in May 2018.
In its pilot year, the CUAEL Project aimed to address the employment gap that exists for students with disabilities by creating employment opportunities for 300 students with disabilities to provide them with hands-on quality work experiences while they obtain their post-secondary degree at Carleton.
The CUAEL Project also worked to educate employers about the benefits of hiring students with disabilities and enhance employer knowledge of disability-related best practices in the workplace.
The CUAEL Project was funded by the Career Ready Fund, a part of the Ontario Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development’s Career Kick-Start Strategy to help colleges, universities, employers and other organizations create experiential learning opportunities for post-secondary students.
Due to the success of the project and high student interest in the concept of a dedicated employment program for students with disabilities, the CUAEL Project evolved into the ACT to Employ Program during the 2019-2020 academic year.
In 2019, ACT to Employ received Carleton University’s award in Service Excellence for Innovation.
In 2022, Amanda Hodgson, ACT to Employ Program Coordinator, received Carleton University’s individual award in Service Excellence.
In 2025,UNESCO featured ACT to Employ as one of four leading examples of accessible employment programs worldwide. (Read this article as a PDF here)
ACT to Employ Placement Program is currently paused due to financial challenges and operational changes.
As the program sunsets, ACT to Employ concludes having facilitated over 1600 meaningful employment placements. Over the life of the program, ACT to Employ achieved 100% satisfaction, with students consistently agreeing that their participation contributed positively to their career development. Employers reported feeling well supported throughout the program and emphasized accessibility as a priority in their hiring practices, contributing to the creation of more accessible and inclusive work environments.
The ACT Team remains eager and available to provide student services