Success is experienced in different ways by different people. In this resource, we’ll examine what contributes to the success of individuals seeking to find and maintain employment as a member of underrepresented groups (e.g., persons with disabling conditions), workplaces seeking to hire/employ them, and communities seeking to support both individuals and employers within rural/remote settings. As you review, be aware of how your own definition of “success” impacts your understanding of the factors that contribute to success.
You’ll begin by considering your own experiences of success, reviewing recent research into factors that helped or hindered success, and examining success stories of others who are in similar situations. Leave better equipped to navigate change and transitions, as well as to set goals and take action.
The Government of Canada has identified 9 Skills for Success that are foundational for success in work, life, and learning. They include:
Consider a time you achieved “success” in work, life, or learning.
Of the 9 Skills for Success introduced here, select 2-3 which you feel contributed to your experience of “success.” For your selected skills, use the following prompts to guide your reflection.
How was this skill demonstrated?
How did this skill contribute to “success”?
As you consider what “success” within work, life, and/or learning feels like, you may end up describing feelings of engagement – e.g., feeling accomplished, energized, or satisfied. The concept of “engagement” has a long history in business. It is closely tied to the idea of job satisfaction, productivity, and continued advancement up the corporate ladder.
This workplace-based definition, however, is a bit too restrictive for many individuals, including those with disabling conditions. Engagement isn’t restricted to the highly skilled – those at any skill level can find engagement by balancing challenge to their level of capacity as they engage in meaningful and motivating activities. Challenge and capacity are not restricted to the workplace – both are tied to many contextual/systemic factors that are outside of an individual (e.g., do they have access to reliable transportation?). Similarly, some challenge and capacity factors are beyond a workplace or community’s sphere of influence (e.g., is the job role regulated? Is there funding for making a workspace or job more accessible?).
Success isn’t just about the skills you possess, but the environment you exist within and the support you have that can help you along your journey or hinder your progress.
Before moving on, reflect on what’s contributed to your successes.
What helped you in these scenarios? What facilitated your success?
What hindered you in these scenarios? What made success more difficult?
What do you wish had been available that wasn’t?
The Free Rein and Life Strategies’ team posed these questions to people throughout several rural communities in British Columbia. The results revealed several common success factors.
Recent research (2024) revealed factors impacting the workplace success of individuals, including persons with disabilities, from underrepresented groups within rural and remote communities. The following 20 categories were identified:
Many of these factors are interconnected to the Government of Canada’s Skills for Success:
Clearly, such “soft” skills are incredibly important for the success of individuals, workplaces, and communities.
You may find it easier to see the impact of some factors than others. Sometimes this is due to their proximity– whether you are an individual with a disabling condition, a workplace seeking to employ individuals, or a community supporting individuals/workplaces within rural/remote communities. For example, it’s sometimes easier to identify the impact of our own internal characteristics or things that we experience within our immediate environment than the impact of other factors such as culture or government policies that seem outside of our sphere of influence.
Keep in mind, however, that the size of the impact isn’t necessarily tied to how clearly you can see it. For example, the impact of colonialism or discrimination impacts us all to varying extents whether or not we recognize it. In addition, the impact of any one factor can vary over time.
In the sections below, you’ll find a visual representation of these factors along with customized descriptions of each factor. Those factors closer to the individual, workplace, or community reside within the rings close to the centre and are a deeper color representing their clarity. Those factors more distant reside in the outer rings in a lighter colour.
If you are an individual with a disabling condition, the following success factors may be relevant to you.
Self
Awareness
Interpersonal Skills
Motivation
Immediate environment
Accessibility
/ Accommodation
Flexibility
Community
Connections
Opportunities
Interactions between systems
Authenticity
Collaboration
Communication
Fit
Respect
Work Environments
Formal / informal social structures
Bureaucracy
Financial
Training/Learning
Transportation
Cultural elements
Discrimination
Rural Realities
All of these factors are subject to change over time as your context shifts.
Reflecting on the list above, indicate which ones you recognize in yourself currently.
Pick 1-2 descriptors to reflect on how change over time either has already impacted this factor or may impact it within the next 3-5 years?
If you are a workplace seeking to support those with a disabling condition, the following success factors may be relevant to you.
Workplace
Awareness
Interpersonal Skills
Motivation
Immediate environment
Accessibility
/ Accommodation
Flexibility
Community
Connections
Opportunities
Transportation
Work Environments
Interactions between systems
Authenticity
Collaboration
Communication
Fit
Respect
Formal / informal social structures
Bureaucracy
Financial
Training/Learning
Cultural elements
Discrimination
Rural Realities
All of these factors are subject to change over time as your context shifts.
Reflecting on the list above, indicate which ones you recognize in workplace currently.
Pick 1-2 descriptors to reflect on how change over time either has already impacted this factor or may impact it within the next 3-5 years?
If you are a community seeking to support those with a disabling condition or a workplace employing them, the following success factors may be relevant to you.
Community
Awareness
Interpersonal Skills
Motivation
Immediate environment
Accessibility
/ Accommodation
Flexibility
Community
Connections
Opportunities
Interactions between systems
Authenticity
Collaboration
Communication
Fit
Respect
Formal / informal social structures
Bureaucracy
Financial
Training/Learning
Transportation
Work Environments
Cultural elements
Discrimination
Rural Realities
All of these factors are subject to change over time as your context shifts.
Reflecting on the list above, indicate which ones you recognize in community currently.
Pick 1-2 descriptors to reflect on how change over time either has already impacted this factor or may impact it within the next 3-5 years?
Awareness
Interpersonal Skills
Motivation
Accessibility/Accommodation
Flexibility
Community
Connections
Opportunities
Authenticity
Collaboration
Communication
Fit
Respect
Work Environments
Bureaucracy
Financial
Training/Learning
Transportation
Discrimination
Rural Realities
All of these factors are subject to change over time as your context shifts.
Reflecting on the list above, indicate which ones you recognize in yourself currently.
Pick 1-2 descriptors to reflect on how change over time either has already impacted this factor or may impact it within the next 3-5 years?
If you are a workplace seeking to support those with a disabling condition, the following success factors may be relevant to you.
Awareness
Interpersonal Skills
Motivation
Accessibility/Accommodation
Flexibility
Community
Connections
Opportunities
Transportation
Work Environments
Authenticity
Collaboration
Communication
Fit
Respect
Bureaucracy
Financial
Training/Learning
Discrimination
Rural Realities
All of these factors are subject to change over time as your context shifts.
Reflecting on the list above, indicate which ones you recognize in your workplace currently.
Pick 1-2 descriptors to reflect on how change over time either has already impacted this factor or may impact it within the next 3-5 years?
If you are a community seeking to support those with a disabling condition or a workplace employing them, the following success factors may be relevant to you.
Awareness
Interpersonal Skills
Motivation
Accessibility/Accommodation
Flexibility
Community
Connections
Opportunities
Authenticity
Collaboration
Communication
Fit
Respect
Bureaucracy
Financial
Training/Learning
Transportation
Work Environments
Discrimination
Rural Realities
All of these factors are subject to change over time as your context shifts.
Reflecting on the list above, indicate which ones you recognize in your community currently.
Pick 1-2 descriptors to reflect on how change over time either has already impacted this factor or may impact it within the next 3-5 years?
Several success stories introduced earlier exemplify many of the success factors described in this resource.
Emily is a mom in her late 20’s who recently moved to a small rural community. She is currently working full time at a new local fast-food restaurant. Despite the barriers she faces, she is motivated to be able to provide for her family and create special moments for her children.
In this case, Community, Flexibility, and Motivation were evident.
Harmony is a student in her early 20’s who volunteers with organizations that prioritize accessibility. She is motivated by the change she is seeing in her local community and has found her voice and power in self advocacy.
In this case, Awareness, Communication, and Respect were evident.
Heather is an employer in a small rural community. As an individual living with a disabling condition herself, she doesn’t let it limit her abilities. She believes that there is space for everyone within the workplace and creates inclusive opportunities for diverse individuals.
In this case, Accessibility/Accommodation, Bureaucracy, and Opportunities were evident.
Wendy is an older employee in a small rural community who utilizes mobility aids in her work and home life. She believes that lived experience is just as valuable as a formal education, and it has led her to where she is today. She is someone who perseveres when things get hard and believes in positivity.
In this case, Connections, Fit, and Opportunities and were evident.
Pick one of the cases to reflect on more deeply. Beyond the factors noted here, identify 1-2 additional factors you see evidence of.
What is the factor?
What’s the evidence?
Consider your own experience of success, identify 2-3 factors you see evidence of?
What is the factor?
What’s the evidence?
Making any change requires a process and this resource will help you navigate that process as you collectively work to support meaningful work and motivating opportunities for people who have disabling conditions. Individuals, workplaces, and communities will leave equipped to move into productive goal setting and action planning.
