Laura Lombardi spent years giving back. Now she's building a career doing it.
Laura Lombardi has been giving back to her community for more than 20 years. Today, she's doing it as part of her job.
“People with disabilities are willing to work given the chance and appreciate receiving the same level of treatment that they would give anyone else,” says Laura.
As Community Amigos Program Coordinator at Heads Up for Inclusion, Laura organizes gatherings where people with and without disabilities, as well as others facing social barriers, can have fun and build friendships.
Her work includes finding community events, recruiting facilitators and entertainers, creating monthly calendars and posters in Canva, and promoting activities through Facebook and Mailchimp. She also takes part in events to support participants.
Laura Lombardi, Community Amigos Program Coordinator at Heads Up for Inclusion, turned years of community involvement and volunteering into a career helping people connect and build friendships. (Photo courtesy of Laura Lombardi)
Twenty years of giving back
Laura has volunteered with the Council for Persons with Disabilities since 2003, when Time in My Shoes was a three-day marathon of school visits. She also served on the Heads Up for Inclusion board as the organization transitioned from a steering committee, stepping down in 2012.
Those years of volunteering helped Laura develop her public speaking skills and build a network of connections she continues to draw on today.
The long road to employment
Laura's paid work began close to home, helping her father photograph hockey tournaments, school picture days and formals. She also began assisting at Peterborough Petes games and other events, work she still takes on occasionally.
She also made the decision to return to school. In January 2016, Laura enrolled in Fleming College's Social Service Worker program. She completed the program at her own pace, graduating in June 2022.
Finding employment after graduation proved challenging. Laura spent two years searching for work on her own without success before connecting with the Y Employment Agency. A little over a year later, an opportunity opened up at Heads Up for Inclusion, and she was hired in 2026.
Finding a workplace that understands
Laura has cerebral palsy, which makes heavy or awkward lifting difficult. Many positions related to her education involve personal care or assisting with transfers, while retail jobs often require lifting heavy boxes.
Transportation has also presented challenges. Although Laura earned her G1 driver's licence, the cost of continuing the licensing process has been a barrier. Not driving also makes it harder to accommodate last-minute schedule changes.
At Heads Up for Inclusion, Laura has found coworkers who understand her physical limitations while recognizing what she brings to the team.
They ask for her input, include her in everyday workplace interactions and help with certain physical tasks when needed. Coworkers also offer rides home when possible.
Laura has the same responsibilities as her colleagues, with accommodations made for tasks she may find physically challenging.
What meaningful work means to Laura
For Laura, meaningful employment means receiving equal pay for equal work, having the same responsibilities as coworkers with appropriate accommodations, and being treated with respect.
It's also about having an employer who recognizes her as an individual.
Laura takes particular pride in her creativity and attention to detail, especially when designing promotional posters. She also enjoys connecting with facilitators and entertainers and bringing her positive, personable approach to those conversations.
But the most rewarding part of her job is seeing participants enjoying themselves at Community Amigos events.
“I'm a creative geek, I guess,” she says.
What she wants employers to know
Laura wants employers to recognize that people with disabilities are willing and able to contribute when given the opportunity.
She emphasizes that everyone's abilities and limitations are different, and reasonable accommodations should be viewed as a normal part of creating an inclusive workplace.
Her advice to employers is to provide clear, consistent instructions and approach employees with disabilities with an open mind about what they can contribute.
Laura’s story is part of At Work. In Their Own Words, a four-part series from the Council for Persons with Disabilities sharing local perspectives on work and inclusion during National Disability Employment Awareness Month in October.