Brad is a middle-aged man who lives in Kansas. He enjoys supporting his home teams at sports events and getting lost in a good mystery novel. Since 2019, Brad has worked at the Kansas University Center on Disability as a researcher. He comes to this work after a long history of advocacy work at the local, state, and national levels.
Joe lives in Georgia and describes himself as a fun guy who likes to laugh. He loves coffee, music and dancing, playing baseball,, eating at Chick-fil-A, and spending time with his friends. Joe is the sole proprietor of Poppin' Joes Gourmet Kettle Korn. Joe and the business have grown together, pioneering small business ownership for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD).
Oscar Segal is 27 years old and lives in his own apartment in the Bronx, New York. He grew up with the expectation from his parents that he would work and support himself to the greatest extent possible. For the last seven years, he has worked for the Shake Shack restaurant chain. Read an accessible format of the story here.
Izzy is 23 years old and lives with her family in Tampa, Florida. She loves swimming, working out, and baking. An internship at an assisted-living facility and related classes at the University of South Florida's Learning Academy helped her succeed later at her first paid job.
Jeremy lives in Griffith, Indiana, and says he is always busy and trying to better himself. Since graduating from high school, he has held a 35- to 40-hour-a-week job at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, is completing his final semester towards a college degree in office administration, and is pursuing his passion to be a magician.
Briana is 24 years old. She describes herself as a happy person, and enjoys competitive cheerleading in her free time. Briana works 18 hours a week, making $8.40 per hour, at Red Robin Restaurant in Tigard, Oregon, two bus rides away from her home in Beaverton. Her duties include folding napkins, rolling cleaned silverware, and preparing wrappers for burgers. Briana used funds through the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services to hire a job coach to help her develop this job.
Francesca lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and works at the William Rowan Elementary School as a teacher's assistant. All her life, she has been interested in a career helping children. She began working in the school system as an AmeriCorps member, did very well, and was offered a paid job.
Mia lives in Des Moines, Iowa. She enjoys running, swimming, bicycling, movies, and traveling with her friends and boyfriend. She also enjoys speaking and singing in front of large groups of people. In high school, Mia participated in theater and speech competitions. She also is an avid reader and writer and enjoys communicating through her written work and videos. Mia is now putting all of these skills and interests together to run her own business.
Through a comprehensive planning process, Matt’s team of support professionals helped him find a job he enjoys at the Sheraton Hotel. He brings his tool set with him to work (a birthday gift from his co-workers) and does maintenance projects and painting. He works 30 hours per week, and benefits from a supportive group of co-workers.
With the support of a career planning process and her family and friends, Dusty was able follow her dream. She enrolled in a theater class, took a course at a local college, and made use of creative funding to develop her own business. In 2006, Dusty’s Puppets became a reality. Dusty entertains young children with puppet shows at birthday parties, local farmers’ markets, daycare centers, and schools.
Izzy is 23 years old and lives with her family in Tampa, Florida. She loves swimming, working out, and baking. An internship at an assisted-living facility and related classes at the University of South Florida's Learning Academy helped her succeed later at her first paid job.
Jeremy lives in Griffith, Indiana, and says he is always busy and trying to better himself. Since graduating from high school, he has held a 35- to 40-hour-a-week job at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, is completing his final semester towards a college degree in office administration, and is pursuing his passion to be a magician.
Francesca lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and works at the William Rowan Elementary School as a teacher's assistant. All her life, she has been interested in a career helping children. She began working in the school system as an AmeriCorps member, did very well, and was offered a paid job.
Mia lives in Des Moines, Iowa. She enjoys running, swimming, bicycling, movies, and traveling with her friends and boyfriend. She also enjoys speaking and singing in front of large groups of people. In high school, Mia participated in theater and speech competitions. She also is an avid reader and writer and enjoys communicating through her written work and videos. Mia is now putting all of these skills and interests together to run her own business.
Through a comprehensive planning process, Matt’s team of support professionals helped him find a job he enjoys at the Sheraton Hotel. He brings his tool set with him to work (a birthday gift from his co-workers) and does maintenance projects and painting. He works 30 hours per week, and benefits from a supportive group of co-workers.
With the support of a career planning process and her family and friends, Dusty was able follow her dream. She enrolled in a theater class, took a course at a local college, and made use of creative funding to develop her own business. In 2006, Dusty’s Puppets became a reality. Dusty entertains young children with puppet shows at birthday parties, local farmers’ markets, daycare centers, and schools.