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A disability shouldn’t disqualify anyone from contributing to the workforce.
Our Disability Employment program aims to foster growth, opportunity, and independence for individuals with disabilities. Through creating inclusive skill-building and employment opportunities, we empower our clients to reach their goals and find the unique contribution they were born to make! We believe every person deserves to know the joy of dignified, meaningful work and we‘re here to help make it happen.
The Need
adults in the US live with a disability
Adults with disabilities are
more likely to be unemployed than those without a disability
Last year our disability care brought dignity and purpose to
individuals
Building Dignified Inclusion at Work and Beyond
Our Supported Employment program creates a path for disabled adults to be included in the workforce. These services include a range of options focused on building employment skills and meeting an individual’s needs and goals. After an assessment of a client’s skills, abilities, and interests, we suggest an employment path to walk together. Regardless of the path that’s best for each client, our team is here to provide support every step of the way making sure that individuals and employers are comfortable and equipped to succeed!
Supported Employment Options Include:
Many adults with disabilities have the skills to secure a traditional job in the community. In this case, we provide support to apply for a job, help advocate with the prospective employer to secure an interview, and then remain available to assist with onboarding once a job offer is made. It’s a joy to support our client's job search and to see them making their unique contributions!
Sometimes adults with disabilities need personalized employment opportunities in order to thrive in the workplace. Our Customized Employment path creates a personalized relationship between the job candidate and the employer. Together, we explore ways to customize the job responsibilities so they align with our clients' strengths, abilities, and interests. Once an individual is employed, we remain engaged to assist and support them and their employer. The length of our support varies based on the individual’s progress and needs. We love seeing employers willing to partner with us to build a more inclusive workplace where our clients can bring their talents and skills to the table!
Youth with disabilities deserve to have the same work experience as their peers. Through participation with the State Vocational Rehabilitation offices in our areas, we develop paid work opportunities with local employers and provide workplace support called Job Coaching for high school students during the summer months.
How to Get Started
Anyone with a disability who is looking to secure employment in the community should contact Michigan Rehabilitation Services to secure a referral for support from Judson Center. No CMH case is required to do so. Once you have a referral, you will be directed back to Judson Center to begin your intake. Our team is here to answer any questions you may have along the way.
Soft Skills
Training
Our skill-building services help youth and adults with disabilities develop and maintain important skills needed for work, volunteering, relationships, and community involvement
For clients who may not be ready to seek employment in the community, we provide community-based activities to teach skills to help individuals reach their goals and succeed in a variety of environments. Skill-building services could include a blend of the following:
Lasting job success relies not only on technical skills, often referred to as “hard skills”, but on essential “soft skills”. Soft skills are less about the actual job, and more about how someone completes the job. These crucial skills revolve around a worker’s character, attitude, and relationships.
Some Examples of Soft Skills include:
- Communication
- Time Management
- Teamwork
- Prioritization
- Problem-Solving
- Interpersonal Relationships
- Work Ethic
- Dependability
Our Disability Services Care Team specializes in helping adults with disabilities develop and maintain important soft skills. Our Soft Skills Training curriculum covers 10 key skills taught through small-classroom education and community participation.
Our clients participate in Pre-Vocational Skills Training before seeking work in the community. This important training helps prepare adults with disabilities to enter the workforce later by strengthening skills in a low-pressure training environment. These services are provided in community settings and involve partnering with non-profit and for-profit employers.
Some of our clients may not want consistent employment but still desire to be fully active and engaged in their community and circles of influence. Our Non-Vocational Skills Training supports this goal and helps individuals build new skills that will enable them to participate fully in the world around them. Examples include strengthening important skills like social interaction or safety. Our team works with each client to assess their goals and find ways to practice them in real-life settings.
Disability
Service Locations
Click to browse Disability Services by location.
Get Started Today
The first step in receiving skill-building training is to seek a referral from your case manager or supports coordinator through Community Mental Health. We can receive referrals from Oakland County Health Network (OCHN) or Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network (DWIHN) based on the county of residence. If you live outside of Oakland or Wayne County, support can be accessed by contacting the local community mental health.