Living with a disability can often make it challenging to find and maintain employment. However, with the right resources and support, people with disabilities can succeed in the workforce. Explore five work programs that help people with disabilities find and maintain employment in this blog post. These work programs provide the support and accommodations needed for adults or individuals with disabilities to succeed in the workforce. Keep reading to learn more about there programs and how they can benefit you or someone you know. Here’s the 5 Work Programs for People with Disabilities:
Programs From Easterseals Arkansas
At Easterseals, we firmly believe that everyone deserves an equal chance to learn essential life and work skills, and secure employment. Our transition and supported employment programs are designed to empower individuals who might otherwise face challenges in finding a job due to their disabilities. In this blog, we will explore the various opportunities Easterseals Arkansas provides to help individuals with disabilities build their careers and lead fulfilling lives.
SET for Success
Easterseals aims its unique program, SET for Success, at high school students with an IEP or 504 plan to prepare them for life beyond graduation. Trained professionals provide the Pre-Employment Transition Service (Pre-ETS) program for free. Currently, the program is available in various central Arkansas school districts and has plans to expand further.
Through SET for Success, students are trained in workplace readiness, job opportunity exploration, work-based learning, counseling for enrollment in post-secondary educational programs, and self-advocacy. It also covers various critical areas that would help students navigate their post-high school transition period.
SET for Success provides students with valuable insights into their interests, establishes life goals, and helps them develop a clear plan for their future. The program equips students with the skills that employers are seeking, setting them up for success in their future careers.
Overall, the program empowers students with disabilities to take charge of their lives and develop the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in the future.
HIRE
HIRE program is another valuable initiative by Easterseals that provides one-on-one job counseling, training, and placement services for adults with disabilities in Central Arkansas. The program has a long-standing relationship with employers in the community to help people with disabilities find competitive employment opportunities.
Once the adults are placed in jobs, Easterseals job coaches conduct site visits and act as liaisons with employers, providing feedback and support to ensure job retention and reduce workplace challenges.
The program is also in conjunction with SET for Success, the high school transition program, and ACCE, the program in partnership with UA Little Rock, which offers students a college experience. These programs also focus on workplace readiness to ensure individuals with disabilities can succeed in the workforce.
Since its inception, the HIRE program has successfully placed hundreds of individuals with disabilities in various positions, including clerical, hospitality, janitorial, manufacturing, and more. This program plays a critical role in promoting employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities and helps them succeed in the workforce.
ACCE
ACCE, short for Academics, Community, Career Development, and Employment, is an exciting program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities in central Arkansas. It provides an opportunity for students to have a college experience while simultaneously preparing for competitive employment.
ACCE is a two-semester program hosted on the UA Little Rock campus and comprises four key components: academics, social support, work exploration, and job placement. It is ideal for young adults with intellectual disabilities, including Asperger's syndrome and autism.
The program provides a college experience to individuals with disabilities and prepares them for the workforce, promoting employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. The academics, social support, work exploration, and job placement components help to create a supportive and inclusive environment where individuals with disabilities can thrive.
Arkansas Rehabilitation Services
A state-funded program that provides vocational rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities in Arkansas. The goal of ARS is to help individuals with disabilities achieve their employment goals by providing a variety of services such as vocational counseling, job placement assistance, and training programs. ARS also works with employers to provide accommodations and support for individuals with disabilities in the workplace. The program is open to individuals with a wide range of disabilities and is designed to help them become self-sufficient and successful in the workforce.
Ticket To Work
Ticket to Work is a federal program that provides support and resources to individuals with disabilities who are looking to enter or re-enter the workforce. The program is run by the Social Security Administration (SSA) and is designed to help individuals who are receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits to find and maintain employment.
Under the Ticket to Work program, individuals with disabilities are provided with a "ticket" that they can use to access employment services such as job training, counseling, and job placement assistance. This program wants to give individuals with disabilities greater control over their own rehabilitation and employment goals, allowing them to choose the service providers that best suit their needs. This program also provides financial incentives to employers who hire individuals with disabilities who are participating in the program. The program is available to people between the ages of 18 and 64 who receive Social Security disability benefits. Young adults with mental health disabilities may qualify for this program.
Adults with Learning Disabilities
People with learning disabilities may have difficulty in fast-paced or highly demanding jobs, but there are many other careers that may be a better fit for their abilities and interests. Individuals with learning disabilities may excel in careers such as:
1. Physical Labor Jobs
Jobs like carpentry, electrician, or plumbing can be good options for adults with learning disabilities. These jobs typically involve working with tools and equipment, and may not require a lot of writing or calculations. We also note that these jobs often involve hands-on tasks, which can be well-suited for individuals with learning disabilities who have a strong interest in or aptitude for technical skills.
2. Construction Jobs
Working with heavy machinery at construction sites or in workshops as a welder or car mechanic can be good options for people with learning disabilities. These jobs typically involve working with tools and equipment, and may not require a lot of writing or calculations. Additionally, these jobs often involve hands-on tasks, which can be well-suited for individuals with learning disabilities who have a strong interest in or aptitude for technical skills.
3. Driving
Driving is a skill-based job that requires a certain level of understanding of routes and the ability to read maps. People with mild learning disabilities can certainly make a career out of driving trucks, cabs, or private cars for businesses if they are able to meet the necessary requirements and pass the necessary tests to obtain a driver's license.
4. Fitness Coach or Assistant
Becoming a fitness coach for younger kids who require physical education more than sports-specific training can be a great career option for individuals with disabilities. This can involve working with children in schools, community centers, or other youth programs to help them develop their physical skills and improve their overall fitness. The coach can also work as an assistant coach to help with the equipment, uniforms, and water. This job may also include helping with the planning, organizing and running of physical education programs, as well as helping to evaluate the progress of the children.
5. Kitchen Assistant
Jobs such as kitchen assistant, cafeteria worker, or in fast food can be a good fit for people with learning disabilities. These types of jobs typically involve repetitive tasks that are easy to learn after some training, such as preparing food, cleaning equipment, and serving customers. Routine work can be easier for individuals with learning disabilities due to lack of strategy or re-learning.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are many work programs available for people with disabilities that can help them develop the skills and confidence needed to succeed in the workforce. From vocational training programs to supported employment programs, there are options for individuals with a wide range of abilities and interests. If you or someone you know is looking for work programs for people with disabilities, we recommend contacting Easterseals Arkansas. They are a great resource for information and support on this topic. By reaching out to them, you will be able to connect with experienced professionals who can help you navigate the various options available and find the right program for you.
Contact Easterseals today to find a job that’s suitable for your disability.
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