Disability Employment Awareness Month

This month, we are celebrating Disability Employment Awareness Month. We help individuals who often face tough challenges when it comes to finding work that is meaningful and competitive. Meet David, who achieved his dream of working with a sports team. Says David, “I wanted to work in a place that gave me a fun experience and where I could help a lot of people with similar interests. ”Our team helped David get a job with the Durham Bulls baseball team. David says his favorite part of working with the Durham Bulls is that “it gives me an opportunity to think about my next steps in life.” He was even able to attend a baseball game with his daughter. Great job, David!

Our Individual Placement & Support (IPS) program specializes in helping individuals facing severe and persistent mental health challenges find meaningful and competitive employment. Our team of employment support professionals have strong connections within the local job market, which allows them to connect individuals with engaging and conveniently located jobs that can also accommodate their schedules. After the person is hired, we work closely with them to ensure they are successful. We also provide personalized education and technical training to support them throughout their career journey that includes:

  • Career development
  • Competitive employment opportunities
  • Health benefits planning
  • Integrated health services
  • Ongoing professional support
  • Personalized education and training

Through Supported Employment, our team helps individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities secure competitive, meaningful and long-term employment opportunities. More simply put, we help them figure out what they love to do and then find a job where they can do those things. Our approach involves establishing connections with local employers, cultivating relationships and identifying suitable job openings within the community. We also offer one-on-one personalized assistance to individuals that includes:

  • Resume writing assistance
  • Mock interviewing
  • On-the-job support
  • Job training and coaching

ESPH’s holistic approach to disability employment includes mental health and substance use support and emphasizes employer collaboration. We aim to break down barriers and ensure that disability is never a hindrance to success, offering benefit support when needed. Our teams have a stellar reputation and as a result, many companies have hired many of our program participants time and time again. They quickly come to realize that the individuals we refer are hardworking and reliable.

We believe that hope produces hope and that it is essential to encourage and support people to succeed. Learn more about our disability employment programs,

ABOUT EASTERSEALS UCP
Easterseals PORT Health and PORT Health are trustworthy, compassionate partners providing exceptional disability, behavioral health and addiction treatment services to help our neighbors live their best lives. Purpose, dedication and empathy drive our in-person and telehealth service delivery. Our diverse and inclusive 2,600 member team provides more than 10.2 million hours of meaningful support to 40,200 kids, adults and families in 11,000 home, facility and community locations across North Carolina and Virginia. Learn more at eastersealsport.com.