New England

Ashley is a woman who likes helping other people with disabilities. Ashley works part-time as a researcher at the Institute for Community Inclusion. What is Ashley’s story:

• Ashley heard about an available research job on a project team studying how people with disabilities make choices about work.
• Ashley applied and got the position. She worked with a mentor to learn all about the job.
• When she had finished work on the project, she had learned to do many different research tasks.
• Ashley was offered more project work and continues to work there part-time.

Allison has worked at Crate & Barrel, a retail store selling furniture and houseware, for over six years. Allison’s employment support staff has used a variety of strategies to foster a good relationship with Allison and her employer over the years. The match between Allison and Crate & Barrel was effective due to positive communication and combined supports from both co-workers and her supported employment staff.

Carrie works in the kitchen of a small private school. This is her first job in the community. She enjoys reciprocal, caring relationships with several of her coworkers. The natural support of her colleagues has enabled her to be successful at her job and form friendships that extend beyond the workday.

John's planning process was a combined effort of focused planning, aggressive job development, strong family advocacy, good use of personal networks, and professional collaboration; this allowed John to reach his goal of getting a job in the community. He currently works at Jo-Ann Fabrics three days per week, stocking and organizing bolts of fabric and filling bins of yarn.

Joe describes himself as smart and friendly. He works as an administrative assistant at Hardy, Wolf and Downing, a law firm in Lewiston, Maine. He found this position with the help of Aaron, his job developer. Aaron helped Joe look for jobs that might be interesting to him, and thought about ways that Joe could help an employer. Then Aaron set up a chance for Joe to work for a specific business so they could see if the job was a good match.

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.

Jared works at Microtek, a cable-assembly company in Chicopee, Mass. With his family's help, he found an employer who supports his success. Jared has natural on-the-job supports from his line managers and  coworkers. He reports that he and his coworkers get along well. He is expected to make his own decisions and be responsible for his own work.

Cindy has always expressed an interest in working with children. With the help of a job developer, a formal employment proposal was developed and presented to an employer, which outlined potential job responsibilities and how they would meet a business need. Through an effective and persistent job negotiation process, Cindy now works as a day care assistant in a child-care center close to her home.

Through a thorough planning process, Brian's team explored the people in Brian's personal network. They realized that the owner of a local liquor store had gotten to know Brian well, since he regularly visits to redeem cans and bottles. Together with the store's owner, Brian's job developer created a position at the liquor store doing custodial and maintenance work. Brian is just about to celebrate his first year on the job, which is his first long-term success.

Corey Alley, who lives in Millinocket, Maine, loves being out in the community, volunteering for service organizations, and participating in sports and recreational activities. For the past six years, he has provided a service to the town through his business, Alley's Recycling. The business accommodates his schedule and makes recycling a quick and easy process for his customers.