Programs help with employment
Studies show 70 percent of youths with disabilities are unemployed and 3 of 4 people with a disability surveyed said they would value a job and independence.
Butler County employers are looking for reliable, dedicated employees.
Several Butler nonprofit organizations are working to bring the two groups together to satisfy both needs.
The ArcThe Arc of Butler County, Lifesteps and the Butler County Blind Association train those with disabilities to go into the community to work.The Arc of Butler County helps employ individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities though its Career Opportunities for the Disabled and Pre-Employment Transition Services programs.The Arc's program helps clients try out about four jobs as part of a community-based assessment.Mary Kay Dugan, Arc director of vocational services, said clients can decide what kind of work they'd like to pursue, such as working at a restaurant or a retail store, or working with pets.They can try the job for several hours one day, along with a job coach, who is evaluating them.Once an individual can do community work, Arc staff help with resume writing, job applications and mock interviews. Once the individual has been hired, a job coach accompanies the individual to the new job to help him adjust to his duties.“They work the schedule with the client until such time that the client, the job coach and the employer all feel that the client's got the job down and they know what they're to be doing,” Dugan said. “Then the job coach can back away.”
Butler County Blind AssociationThe Blind Association's Out of Sight Shredding began in 2010 with three people. It now employs 10 individuals who are either blind or visually impaired, or have a physical or intellectual disability.The enterprise does shredding for more than 100 customers within a 120-mile radius of Butler.Blind Association Executive Director Jennifer Bindernagel said the enterprise has grown so much it is starting to make a small profit, all of which goes back into the association's budget.Bindernagel said she has never had an Out of Sight employee call off work in the entire six years of the business.“They're cognizant that they are being relied upon to make sure our operation runs smoothly. If other employers could see this work force in action, I believe that more companies would be hiring individuals with disabilities because of their capabilities, not their disabilities,” she said.
LifestepsLifesteps' Transition program teaches life and vocational skills after high school gradation.Transition is an educational program for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It partners with local businesses for volunteer experiences and potential job placement.According to Lynn Pukylo, director of Transition, clients are taught employment skills and then taken into community businesses to practice their skills.“We're also showing off their abilities when we're out there. Employers don't understand what they can do,” Pukylo said. “We've seen that showing what they can do has led to employment opportunities.”Pukylo's special-needs daughter, Abbey, is employed by the Pittsburgh Marriott North as a dining room assistant. Pukylo said the employment has encouraged Abbey.“She's stands taller now. She's so proud,” she said. “She just bought all her own bedroom furniture. It has made such a difference in her self-confidence and her self-esteem. It's been great to watch.”Pittsburgh Marriott North Human Resource Director Mike Schultz said the company has been pleased with employees hired through the Lifesteps program.“They catch on quickly and they're excited to be here. They're engaged and they fit right in,” he said. “They're helpful, reliable employees. In today's work force, you don't find those kinds of people.”
