direct support professional

support worker

relief worker

developmental service worker

human resources coordinator

DeafBlind Ontario Services

When I first started working for DBOS I was unsure how I would to like it. I had never worked with a deafblind individual before or in an assisted living home and found it very intimidating. 
But as the weeks went on, I began to build  incredible rapport with the 4 individuals I supported. I realized how unbelievably smart they all were and how much potential their was for them to have fulfilling lives if cared for by compassionate people. 

I had wonderful training on how to communicate with each individual, the deafblind culture, the medical history of deafblindness and all the theory surrounding it. I was given personal goals that I was able to complete, which helped me grow and benefitted my performance appraisal at the end of the year. 

At first, I found the management team lacked in certain areas and did not always feel as though my voice was being heard, but after bringing this issue forward, I have seen consistent growth and development in the management team being more transparent and appreciative with their staff.

I think DeadBlind Ontario Services has a beautiful culture and everything they do is for the right reasons, keeping the supported individuals best interests at the forefront of all their decisions.

I would say the hardest part of the job has been working without full staffing ratios, that, coupled with the pandemic over the last two years, has brought people to their breaking point, but we have an incredibly strong and supportive team that has helped immensely.

The most enjoyable part of the job is definitely the relationships you will build here. Each individual supported is so unique and precious to us, they become like family and you will love them just as much, if you learn to build that rapport with them and push them to their full potential. I have experienced nothing more rewarding in my entire life, then watching one of the individuals accomplish a goal I did not think possible for them, it swells my heart.

If you come DeafBlind Ontario Services with an open heart and opened mind, I am sure you will not be disappointed with your career choice.



Throughout the few years I have worked at DBOS I have acquired new skills and have learnt a lot of about myself through the clients and the training I was provided. The clients are amazing and will give you new tools to further yourself if you chose in the line of work. 

DBOS has little to no chance of moving up in the company. The management has been here for a long time and until they retire I feel there is no chance of moving up unless you get the odd maternity contract. 

I would have stayed at DBOS if they offered full-time staff what they deserve- Working less weekends (you are required to work 2), being more flexible with schedules, paid more for the level of skill/tasks they require of you to do IE: they have goals which are tasks that other companies supervisors (higher ups) would be required to complete. For the amount of skills this job requires it should be paying 25.00 (top rate) minimum for what they require of you. If they were more flexible with the weekends they would keep there good full-time staff, however they refuse to work with the full-times and only seem to care about giving the part-time and causal employees there desired schedule. I would have happily worked 1 out of 4 weekends. 

Overall my experience was good and I did learn lots, if I ever landed in a position where I needed a job, I'd reapply. 

Management is careless about staff. I was compliance champion, which these roles offer no extra perk. Noted concerns to the regional manager while doing compliance, the solution was to hide it. 
If a staff called in it’s in your hands to manage clients and try to fill their shift. If no luck you could be forced into working 24hours straight. 
Full time contracts do become available frequently.
Staff are very disrespectful to each other, will gang up and set up other staff for med errors. 

Clients best interest aren’t often the priority. Example, staff and team leader would allow client to eat ice cream for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

If you need a day off in advance you have to trade shifts, can’t book days off. If no one will take the trade it is sick time.

Casual relief staff have no flexibility, you are only able to provide availability 4 times a year and they can put you in whatever they want. If you call a month in advance as a RELIEF staff and say your unavailable they basically say too bad. Oh and the availability change that can only happen 4 times a year can only change every 4 months.

Do not recommend, staff call and harass you on your days off for help because on call doesn’t know the answer and teamleaders will not answer their phones if they aren’t in.

clients are fun and you build friendships. the staff are amazing, a lot of woman so sometimes drama and gossiping. most of the staff are exhausted due to poor staffing as they never seem to be able to maintain staff, huge turnover rate. management lies the problem, they make it clear they don't care and often do not lift a finger to help. I was forced to work 20 hours when a staff called in sick. my manager was rude and never did her job. work schedules are always changing, your harassed on your days off to work via text or calls, often working alone with 4 different clients to care for (wheelchair and behavioural). head office does not care about employees, your hard work will go unacknowledged. small chance to learn and advance, worked here for a almost 2 years and not one person was given a chance to move up the ladder. dead end job basically. while working here my kids barely saw me which brought me to quit as it is difficult to trade shifts and your required to work every other weekend. however you do get 3 day weekends on the ones you have off. great job for a summer student. I loved the clients and my co workers but ill never work there again.

I have worked at this company for 8 years.  I started as a student and knew right away this was going to be a great place to work.  My co-workers have all been great through the years and have always been supportive and encouraging to both each other as well as those individuals we support.  Management has always assisted wherever and however they could to help to further your experiences and knowledge to better support the individuals in our care.  Working here has always felt more like going to spend the day with your friends even though they're the people you are getting paid to support.  There is so much flexibility for you to be able to further your experiences with the individuals such as planning fun activities and day trips.  This place of work is so fulfilling and its a joy to work here.  Recently there have been less opportunities for promotions due to funding cuts - also due to these cuts some roles have been eliminated which has caused a little more work for the front line workers, I'd say this 'extra work' is easy enough to accomplish and really helps you to stay informed and up to date with everything happening for the individuals we support.  Great work life balance as well!

I have worked at this company for about 3.5 years.  In this time I have learned so much about the deaf blind culture. I have been sent to a course that helped me learn all about Sign language  and this specific culture.  I went from part-time to full time with great benefits and a good wage.  I feel  that management has been nothing but supportive and easy to work with.  When I have had a issue I have been able address these concerns in a positive constructive way and have never felt unheard. Teamwork is a major part of the work system and I feel everyone brings a unique  work ethic and experience to the home, which  then benefits both the clients and the rest of the staff members which is welcomed.  I feel this is a really rewarding place to work. There is so much to learn and the company gives you freedom to explore  other  ways of expanding you career   I'm very happy that I was offered a job with this company and sure there are times when things  don't go as you want, but that happens in every job you just have to raise above it. This is a great career opportunity  for any one who wants to make a difference . 

Making a meaningful and person-centered impact with the people we support is why I continue to love my 8+ year career with DeafBlind Ontario Services. By honoring the person-centered approach, we provide an environment which empowers each individual in their own way in all domains of their life, such as development and health. I continue to feel supported by my teams and management. When I need assistance, I have multiple places I can reach out to feel heard if needed. The specialized training opportunities are exceptional (philosophy of intervention, sign language, understanding earing/vision loss, etc) and paired with the resources in the house (sign books, calendar videos, etc) Intervenors are set up for success to provide a high level of communication and intervenor services. I recommend working at DeafBlind Ontario Services if you are willing to learn new things, challenge yourself with new opportunities, and join-in on a cohesive, self-directed team setting.

I worked at DeafBlind Ontario Services for 7 years. Depending on the location you work at, your day will look different. Some homes are more fast paced and have more complex medical needs. Job responsibilities include medication administration, meal preparation, support with morning routines, personal care, in house activities and community outings. There is a lot of freedom on what you do within your day and suggestions and plans are encouraged based on the preferences of the person you are supporting. Management encourages creativity and new ideas. They really want the workplace to feel like a home for the people we support, not a workplace. Medication training is provided as well as specialized training surrounding deafblindness. Management was always responsive and supportive. They worked directly with staff, one on one and as a team to find solutions. There are many opportunities for learning and growth within the Intervenor role. Not many opportunities for advancement to a management role. 

I've worked with DeafBlind now for one year and in the field for many years prior. Our program was new to them and DeafBlind has done a great job adapting and even improving services to Deaf Adults living Independently with assistance. The management has been great, listening to our input as front-line workers and being a great resource. Deaf culture is very important to my clients and all have shown great respect for this and learning more about it. Team spirit remains strong, client gatherings better than ever and management is open to staff wanting the opportunity to train for specialized skills. Thank you to DeafBlind Ontario for keeping the clients foremost in importance and supporting staff to do our jobs with perks along the way. Great place to work!

Interesting work place, added in-house training -fun, educational and enjoyed that.
I feel like the needs of individuals at the homes are not balanced equally.

Some houses have toxic interpersonal relationships between staff including management.

12 hour shifts and shortage of staff leave little work/life balance for support workers. 

Compensation isn’t the worse, but also isn’t the best  in the field. 

Lack of disclosure about behaviour issues and violence you might encounter.
Some staff seem to get away with anything and everything (being late frequently, calling in sick abundantly, refusing to do work, refusing to do things in the best interest of the individual supported)  even when staff tell this to supervisor- it’s over looked.
- smokers seem to be able to take as many breaks as they want even at inconvenient times. 



Top Job Titles	Average salary
Direct support professional 43 salaries reported	$23.37 per hour
Support worker 56 salaries reported	$21.70 per hour
Relief worker 23 salaries reported	$21.78 per hour
Developmental service worker 8 salaries reported	$17.55 per hour
Human resources coordinator 1 salary reported	$57,700 per year

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