The Ins and Outs of Supported Employment, Employment, and Finding a Career you Enjoy!

This blog caters to individuals with disabilities, professionals, educators, and parents who are all interested in obtaining information about Employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. In these hard economic times, it is difficult for anyone to obtain a job, but it has always been this difficult for individuals with disabilities. I hope that these resources will find you all at ease and assist you all in becoming proactive members in the job market.

Resources:

1)Arc of Jacksonville http://www.arcjacksonville.org/
- This agency provides numerous support services for individuals with an array of disabilities and offers facility-based and community inclusive employment opportunities throughout the Jacksonville, Florida area. The Arc’s objective is to provide: ‘facility-based employment where participants receive job preparation, life management, and basic academic training while earning a paycheck through contracted work. The emphasis of this service is to acquaint people to the work world through the teaching and training of work skills and concepts such as quality, teamwork, production, safety, and dependability.” Community-based employment offers individual and small group job placement within the community as well as on the job training and long term job support. The Arc Jacksonville allows for participants to better utilize their communities, build relationships outside the disability community and to experience more inclusive lives.”

2) Return-to-Work Program (Supported Employment for Individuals with Brain and Spinal Cord Injuries) http://www.grovehouseservices.org/
- The Grove House is a non-profit corporation that assists adults with developmental and acquired disabilities to maximize their inclusion into the community, enabling them to lead more productive, dignified, and independent lives. This particular aspect of the Grove House Supportive Services introduces supported employment to individuals with disabilities, particularly those with brain and spinal cord injuries. The Grove House facilitates competitive work in integrated work settings for individuals with a disability for whom competitive employment has not traditionally occurred, and who, because of the nature and severity of their disability, need ongoing support services in order to perform their job. Supported employment provides assistance such as job coaches, transportation, assistive technology, and specialized job training.

Books/Sources

1)Employment for Individuals with Asperger Syndrome or Non-Verbal Learning Disability: Stories and Strategies by Yvona Fast
- Most people with Non-Verbal Learning Disorder (NLD) or Asperger Syndrome (AS) are underemployed. With practical and technical advice on everything from job-hunting to interview techniques, from 'fitting in' in the workplace to whether or not to disclose a diagnosis, this book guides people with NLD or AS successfully through the employment field. There is information for employers, agencies, and careers counselors, including an analysis of typical strengths, and how to use these positively in the workplace. Practical information and resource material is supported by numerous case studies to inspire and advise. This is an essential resource for people with NLD or AS seeking or in employment, and their employers.

2) Social Inclusion in Supported Employment Settings by Nan Vander Hart
- This book examines social inclusion of supported employees in community businesses. Supported employment services opened doors for persons with disabilities to new opportunities of employment as well as social interactions with non-disabled co-workers.