October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month and while businesses are making progress in hiring people with disabilities, there is still a very long way to go to ensure that everyone who is willing and able to work can get a job.
At Northeast Arc, we support people with developmental and intellectual disabilities every day and have made it a priority to create opportunities for them to find and maintain jobs.
Our team provides employment training, education and supported employment designed to ensure that all people are able to achieve personal employment goals. Each person’s day is individually defined to maximize his or her opportunities to learn. Specialized Supports are available for people requiring additional staff supports and resources to ensure success. Specialized staffing supports are also available for people who may be deaf or hard-of-hearing.
The process for a business to hire someone with a disability is simple. We start by reviewing available candidates and identifying someone who is an ideal match for the job an employer needs to fill. Our job coaches will match an individual to the role and responsibilities of the position, help them in getting to work, and assist in training. Job coaches provide as little or as much support as necessary, depending on the needs of the individual and the complexities of the job. For Northeast Arc, it is important that the individuals learn in the way that works best for them, that they master their work skills and gain confidence, and that they maintain their position for the long-term.
We place people in jobs at well-known businesses such as Starbucks, CVS, Sea Level, and Stop & Shop, but we also find work for people in manufacturing, laboratories, assisted living centers, and many other industries.
Delta Electronics in Beverly has two employees that came to them from Northeast Arc’s supported employment program. Both assemble connector parts and have become valued members of the team. Kurt Smith, manufacturing manager at Delta Electronics, praised the work ethic and attendance record of these employees. “If the two employees we have working for us are representative of the type of worker coming from Northeast Arc it’s a win, win for both the employee and employer,” says Smith.
If you are an employer looking to fill a job, I hope that you will consider hiring someone with a disability who has the skills and desire to get the job done. You will be glad you did.
Jo Ann Simons is the president and CEO of Northeast Arc, which is headquartered in Danvers.