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Supported Employment/Day Programs

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If you need ongoing support to be successful with a job, consider supported employment, which provides extra supervision and assistance to employees with disabilities. Supported employment encourages people to work within their communities and encourages work, social interaction, and integration. It includes services such as job coaches, transportation, assistive technology, specialized job training, and individually tailored supervision. A job coach provides specialized on-site training to assist an employee with a disability in learning and performing the job and adjusting to the work environment. The goals of supported employment are the opportunity to earn equitable wages and other employment-related benefits, development of new skills, increased community participation, enhanced self-esteem, increased consumer empowerment, and quality of life.

Other options available to persons with disabilities include day programs. Day programs do not focus on jobs or employment but instead serve individuals who want to get out and be a part of the community.

In DC, young adults with developmental disabilities can find assistance with supported employment opportunities through the Developmental Disabilities Administration, 1125 15th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005, 202-730-1700. Use the Local Resources database to find individual providers.