JOPLIN, Mo. – October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, highlighting the importance of inclusive workplaces and opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
For individuals with disabilities, finding the right job can mean more than earning a paycheck. It can provide independence, confidence and a sense of belonging. Easterseals Midwest works to make those opportunities possible by helping individuals find and maintain employment that fits their interests, skills and goals.
Marion Loveless, director of employment at Easterseals Midwest, said the organization supports individuals with disabilities throughout their lives, offering a variety of services based on their needs.
Those services include in-home support, autism services, applied behavior analysis clinics, speech and hearing clinics, and programs that help individuals develop independent living skills and become involved in their communities.
During National Disability Employment Awareness Month in October, Loveless said the organization wants to raise awareness about the capabilities of individuals with disabilities and encourage employers to create more inclusive workplaces.
“One of my favorite things about it is bringing awareness to employers and individuals that everybody has the right to work and the capabilities to work,” Loveless said.
Breaking down barriers to employment
One challenge individuals with disabilities can face is the misconception that employers may not have the resources or ability to accommodate them in the workplace.
Loveless said Easterseals Midwest works with businesses of all sizes and helps employers understand that accommodations and additional support may be available.
Through partnerships with vocational rehabilitation and the Department of Mental Health, individuals may be eligible for assistance with expenses such as uniforms, transportation, interview clothing and workplace accommodations.
Those accommodations could include something as simple as a taller chair or adjustments to a computer setup, depending on an employee's needs.
“Some employers assume that they don't have the resources to help people with disabilities succeed on the job, but that's not the case,” Loveless said.
The organization also works directly with employers to identify opportunities and develop partnerships that benefit both businesses and job seekers.
Finding the right fit
Easterseals Midwest uses a customized approach to employment, matching individuals with jobs that align with their interests, abilities and career goals.
Opportunities range from dishwashing and landscaping to secretarial work and other positions. Loveless said the process depends on each person's experience and level of support needed.
For some individuals, the process begins with what the organization calls discovery and exploration. During this process, staff members take individuals into the community to explore different types of work and learn what they enjoy, where their strengths lie and which jobs might be a good fit.
For individuals with prior work experience or a clear idea of their career goals, Easterseals Midwest helps connect them with employers and guides them through the hiring process
Staff members provide assistance with searching for jobs, building resumes and preparing for interviews. They also conduct mock interviews and may attend interviews alongside individuals for additional support.
Once an individual is hired, a job coach may provide hands-on assistance with training and workplace responsibilities.
Loveless said the organization's support does not end when an individual gets a job. After an employee has been successfully employed for 90 days, staff members continue following up for a year to help address challenges and ensure the working relationship remains successful.
That continued support can be especially important when workplace circumstances change, such as when a manager who has served as an employee's primary source of support leaves the business.
“Because whether you have a disability or not, everybody needs support on the job,” Loveless said.
Success stories
For Loveless, some of the most rewarding moments come from seeing individuals build long-term careers.
She recalled helping one individual find a job at a local Walmart, where he initially worked in the lawn and garden department watering flowers. Six years later, he continues working at the store, now pushing shopping carts.
“He tells me he'll be there till he retires,” Loveless said.
Another individual Loveless described has an unusual background as a stand-up comedian who wrote for Jay Leno. Easterseals Midwest helped her find a job doing office work, demonstrating how employment opportunities can reflect a wide range of experiences and abilities.
Loveless also shared an example of an individual who recently obtained a job in Orange Beach, Alabama, managing a charter boat company.
The stories illustrate how customized employment can help individuals pursue opportunities that might otherwise be overlooked.
Creating opportunities for everyone
Loveless said individuals with disabilities who find jobs that suit them can become valued, long-term employees. She believes that when workers enjoy their jobs and receive the support they need, both employees and employers benefit.
“Most of the individuals that have disabilities and find and maintain a job, their success rate at staying at their job is a lot longer than most people because they appreciate their job, they're happy with their job, and they're going to try their best,” Loveless said.
Through its employment services and community partnerships, Easterseals Midwest aims to help more individuals with disabilities achieve their employment goals while helping businesses recognize the value of an inclusive workforce.
As National Disability Employment Awareness Month continues throughout October, Loveless said the message is simple: individuals with disabilities deserve the opportunity to work, contribute and succeed.
To learn more about Easterseals Midwest and its services, visit midwest.easterseals.com.

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