Welcome! This site highlights the employment successes of people with Intellectual Disabilities/Developmental Disabilities (ID/DD) who are working in paid jobs in their communities. Through the use of innovative, front-line employment support practices, these individuals are earning money, forming networks, and contributing to their communities. Learn more about these people and the promising practices that led to their success.
Scroll down this page for current featured stories, or use the menu at left to browse all stories by category.
Brian: Creating a job while filling a business need
Brian is a man in his 20s who loves working with animals. He was able to purchase valuable equipment with the help of his job developer and use it to negotiate with a business where he was eventually hired. Brian now works 30 hours per week as a pet groomer.
Chad: Finding the perfect job match
Chad is a man in his 20s who enjoys physical jobs, is outgoing and loves baking. He hoped to find a job that would keep him very busy without being too fast-paced and would allow him to be social, interacting with and helping customers. As Chad began a bakery job, although the job tasks were a perfect match for his interests, the fast pace, the structure, and the change in management were not. Instead of giving up, Chad found another position where the pace and customer interaction matched his skills and personality. He now works full time with full benefits.
Frankie: Funding the employer to provide on-the-job supports
Frankie is a 21-year-old man who lives in Haworth, Oklahoma. His interests include rescuing animals and caring for his 11 dogs. With the help of his service coordinator from the Developmental Disabilities Services Division, Frankie was able to offer his employer payment for 12 months of on-the-job supports. Frankie works from 6:30 in the morning to 3:30 in the afternoon every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday for the City of Idabel.
Brenda: Carving out a job at Fitness Plus
Brenda is a woman in her 30s who has been working at the Fitness Plus gym for about two years. She works there twice a week, completing a list of tasks to keep the gym clean and organized, including putting away equipment. To obtain this job, Brenda’s job developer assessed the employer's needs and showed Brenda's ability to meet those needs. Together Brenda, the job developer and the employer carved out a new position.
Nicole: Taking steps from part-time classroom assistant toward full-time childcare professional
Nicole currently works part-time as a classroom assistant at a child-care center. Her goal is to develop and advance a career in childcare and to work at the center full-time. Nicole is using multiple paths to advance in her chosen career field. A volunteer opportunity is allowing her to gain more experience in the field, a second job is readying her for a fuller schedule and contributing to her overall income, and continuing education is preparing her for the necessary certifications.
