Employment First
Employment First
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Every person has abilities, skills and talents to enrich the community and people around us. We envision a time when every working-age adult with developmental disabilities has opportunity to explore their career options and seek jobs that fit their skills and interests.
~Ohio Employment First
Having a job in the community gives people with disabilities greater independence and wealth-building potential, improved self-esteem and personal satisfaction. It also opens the door to opportunities to form relationships that might not develop otherwise.
The people we support want to work and the ones who have jobs are happier. So are their employers, who understand that workers with disabilities are among the most reliable and talented employees they have.
We help people with disabilities discover their interests and abilities and learn how they can use them on the job in the community where they can become a valuable asset to their employer. We partner with school districts, providers, the business community and others to make this happen.
Ohio’s Employment First initiative is shifting expectations and expanding employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Click on the link below to learn more.
Shifting Expectations
"Every person has abilities, skills and talents to enrich the community and people around us. We envision a time when every working-age adult with developmental disabilities has opportunity to explore their career options and seek jobs that fit their skills and interests.
"We start by shifting expectations. Young people with developmental disabilities will learn about employment options and planning during their school years. Adults with developmental disabilities should have support teams that assist in learning more about how abilities and interests can match opportunities in with workplace. Every person should expect that community employment is the preferred outcome for working-age adults with developmental disabilities.
"Every agency, school, organization and individual within Ohio's developmental disabilities system plays a role by focusing on what everyone can do and providing the best supports and services to enable people to choose and succeed in community employment. We're transforming to a system culture that creates opportunities and pathways for integration, independence and full community participation."