Supported Employment (SE): Employing People With Disabilities

SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT IS A "WIN WIN" OPPORTUNITY

Everybody Wins:

People Win -- by gaining access to meaningful, income producing employment.
Employers Win -- by gaining productive, qualified employees.
Communities Win -- by gaining more contributing, taxpaying citizens.

Increase Your Pool of Qualified Workers:

Your employees are your primary resource for making your business successful. By utilizing the supported employment (SE) concept, you can meet your business needs. An SE program works with individuals with severe disabilities who are matched to and trained in positions where you most need them.

SE specialists can assist you in identifying potential SE opportunities in your company.

Services for Employers:

The following services are provided at NO COST to you:

Identification of Job Tasks
Recruitment of Employees
Matching Skills to Job Requirements
Training the New Employee

SE specialists provide ongoing assistance to you and your employee with supervision, performance evaluations, and additional training or other support as needed.

Satisfied Employers:

"We were apprehensive at the beginning, but we decided to give it a try and we certainly have not regretted it...we now know that we had no cause for concern. It's been a very worthwhile, very positive program. We recommend it very highly."
Joyce Harris, President, Telco Community Credit Union, Madison, WI.

"Kathy's work includes file maintenance, drawing reproduction and sales brochure assembly...her work is highly respected. It allows us to use full-time employees for other work-related tasks. Her job coach was here the first week for training, but Kathy has adapted so well...she is now trained for new tasks by the Arrowhead staff."
Tom Biesinger, Arrowhead Conveyor, Oshkosh, WI.

"They like what they do...that's really helped as far as longevity goes, because turnover and training costs can be expensive. Customers really like it, too. When a customer pats me on the back, it makes me feel like I'm on top of the world."
Dave Becker, Hardee's Restaurants, Neenah, WI.

What Kinds of Work?

Data Entry Operator
Utility Worker
Clerical Worker
Food Service/Food Preparation
Messenger
Day Care Center Aid
Assembly Worker
Maintenance/Custodial Worker
Lawn Care
Animal Caretaker
Mail Clerk

In What Kinds of Industries?

Hotels/Motels
Utility Firms
Hospitals and Health Care Institutions
Restaurants/Fast-Food Outlets
Insurance Companies
Manufacturers
Electronic Firms
Medical Supply Manufacturers
Banks/Credit Unions
Horticulture/Garden Maintenance
Retail Stores

Effective in a Wide Circle of Industries:

Your work will get done.

Employers across the country have discovered the creative potential in hiring people with severe disabilities. This new resource provides the employer with well trained, dependable, and productive employees. When you hire through an SE program, you hire the employee you have been looking for and your work will get done.

In Wisconsin, there are over 5,000 SE employees who perform a wide variety of jobs successfully and profitably while they earn wages commensurate with their productivity.

Equal Opportunity Statement:

DWD is an equal opportunity employer and service provider. If you have a disability and need to access this information in an alternate format, or need it translated to another language, please contact 800-442-3477 or 888-877-5939 (TTY).

Want to Know More?

Send an e-mail to dvr@dwd.wisconsin.gov or write or call us at:

Department of Workforce Development
Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
P.O. Box 7852
Madison, WI 53707-7852
800-442-3477 (Voice)
888-877-5939 (TTY)

DVR-13449-P (R. 11/2002)