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National Disability Employment Awareness Month (10/5/04)

Programs at UCP of Southeastern Wisconsin and UCP of Tarrant County Assist Employees with Disabilities

By Laura Beach

Washington, D.C., October 5—Since 1988, October has been designated "National Disability Employment Awareness Month" in order to increase national awareness of the benefits of employing people with disabilities and to bring to light continuing obstacles to employment. According to a 2004 National Organization on Disability (NOD)/Harris Survey, only 35% of people with disabilities have full or part time employment, compared to 78% of able bodied Americans.

Two affiliates, UCP of Southeastern Wisconsin and UCP of Tarrant County, Texas are leaders in the field of employment services for people with disabilities. The Employment Services programs work with people with different degrees of disabilities to find appropriate job placement that meets both the needs and interests of the individual.

In Tarrant County, the Employment Services department cultivates friendships with their clients and engages in an intensive "getting to know you" phase to help ensure that each placement is a match.

The program in Southeastern Wisconsin works on everything from basic skills of making sure people are in possession of identification to picking out professional dress attire to crafting resumes.

Barbara Selman, Director of Employment for Tarrant County, says individuals benefit because "they can now be independent and self-sufficient."

Ryan, a UCP of Southeastern Wisconsin consumer for several years, is currently employed in the warehouse of the Brass Light Gallery where he works performs duties in shipping-receiving and building maintenance.

"Ryan says that he loves his job. His supervisor says she has never worked with as delightful an employee," says Marianne Payleitner, Director of Employment Services for UCP of Southeastern Wisconsin.

Individuals in Texas work in a variety of locations from banks to grocery stores to truck stops.

Selman says, "We even have one young man who opened his own produce business and is quite successful."

The National Organization on Disability reports that workers with disabilities have proven to have "equal or higher job performance ratings, higher retention rates and lower absenteeism."

In order to help guarantee that their consumers will continue to work, UCP affiliates often utilize a novel approach of Job Clubs. During these meetings, club members talk about issues they face in the work place.

In Wisconsin, though a job coach facilities the class, staff has seen an increase in peer support and encouragement.

"They’re teaching each other," Payleitner says.

One of the most rewarding parts of her job is seeing some of her clients take the next time into fulltime employment where they now receive benefits.

"That just gets you going," Payleitner adds.

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