EMPLOYMENT AND COMMUNITY INCLUSION

Our economy and society become more resilient when all people have the opportunity to gain employment in our community, including people of all abilities. Employment is key to DSPD's Mission Statement of supporting people to lead self-determined lives and be full participants in their communities. Employment can provide greater opportunities for self-determination and integration into the community.

Employment Success Stories
Employment First
Customized Employment
FAQ
School to Work
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Employment Success Stories

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Amy is 31 years old, she has moved from an Intermediate Care Facility with about 62 roommates into a NES Residential Apartment with one other roommate in 2019.

Since her move to the new apartment, Amy has grown so much from a very emotional person who would tear up in conversations and withdrawal from groups to someone that shows such self-assertion and shows such courage to try and learn new things.

In January of 2020, with the help from the Employment Staff at NES, a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, and her DSPD Support Coordinator working together with her, she obtained a job at Denny’s where she works two full days a week. Some of her job tasks include dishwashing, bussing tables, and some cleaning in the lobby area. She stated that she just loves this job and always has a big smile that is contagious to others. She loves helping others and loves when she can help with kids as they come into the restaurant.

She has learned to ride the UTA bus from her home, to work, and back home to become more independent, with a little training from the Employment Staff.

Everyone is so proud of Amy for her hard work and dedication to completing all of the tasks given to her with such a great outlook, courage to learn new things in her life, and what a great person she can be on the job at Denny’s. She stated that she “absolutely loves her new life and is so grateful for everyone that has helped her and supported her along the way”.

Employment First

Employment First is a national initiative that encompasses policies, legislation, and system change efforts leading to increased community-based employment for people with disabilities. Employment First is a belief that community-based, integrated employment should be the primary day activity for working age youth and adults with disabilities. It supports an overarching goal that eligible persons with disabilities should have access to integrated work settings most appropriate for them, including the supports necessary to help them succeed in the workplace. Employment First does not mean employment only and does not deny individual choice, but is intended to increase employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.



Customized Employment

Customized Employment is a person-centered process that aims to match people with meaningful work based on their interests and skills. 


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)


School to Work


PIE Transition: Discovery Activities and Vocational Themes

Patty Cassidy instructs on elements of Customized Employment and Discovery. She shares ideas for selecting task-based discovery activities by exploring patterns in the job seekers life and experiencing a range of activities both familiar and unfamiliar activities to the individual. Patty teaches how to identify vocational themes based on the information learned from the discovery activities.

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