Linda Simpson is a recognized expert in disability management for over 26 years; she is sought out by organizations such as Chambers of Commerce and the media to talk to employers about disability and accommodations in the workplace. She provides assessment, adjustment to disability and vocational rehabilitation services to people with disabilities looking to re-enter the workplace, advance in a career or with self-employment. Linda has designed, developed and delivered multiple programs for persons with disabilities (including youth) and potential employers. This includes employment programs for persons with chronic and episodic mental health issues, whereby a good implementation of a best practice model was achieved and rated by a third party evaluator.

She is the founder and owner of Performance Plus Rehabilitative Care (PPRC) which is an approved service provider for the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), Employment Supports. Through this business, she helps clients in Ottawa and the surrounding areas with employment planning and work placements for over nineteen years. Linda and her team at PPRC have successfully built a network of employers who are willing and able to assist persons who experience an injury, disability, or who are disadvantaged to reintegrate into the workforce. As a director, she helps clients maintain their dignity by treating them with respect and honouring their privacy. As a highly trained and experienced counsellor, she has over 26 years in the field including employment planning, ergonomic assessment, job accommodation intervention, skill training and vocational rehabilitation, career coaching, and transition services to persons with disabilities re-entering the workforce.

Prior to establishing PPRC, Linda was the Branch Manager with Medex Vocational Management and Crawford and Company Health and Rehabilitation from 1989 to 1993. She opened the Ottawa office and other satellite locations. She has a proven track record to develop business and marketing plans, manage remote teams, recruit and train and develop case managers. During her tenure, she established successful accounts in cities across Canada and the United States, while overseeing return to work services for clients across all disability systems. Linda’s background includes a Diploma in Recreation Therapy where she began to specialize in rehabilitation, undertaking training and courses in psychology, disability studies, assessment, career coaching, employment and multiculturalism. She achieved and maintains her Canadian Certification with the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselling in Chicago, Illinois.

As the Chair of the Service Provider Group for the Employment Accessibility Resource Network (EARN), she volunteers with other community stakeholders for accessibility and inclusion in the workplace.