Career Design & Development Services (a division of Dallas Metrocare Services)

Individual Barrier to Competitive Employment

Individual diagnosed with mental retardation, very limited verbal skills, lack of appropriate social skills (shy & introverted), lack of paid work experience, low self esteem, deaf in one ear, mild cataracts, history of seizures, and a heart murmur.

Strategy to Address Barrier

Utilized marketing and networking abilities of employment consultant to make contact with local business - a library. Capitalized on individual's past volunteer experience working in library. Searched for an employment setting in which the individual's lack of verbal communication and social skills were not impediments to his job functioning. Capitalized on individual's personal strength - his memory and strong support from group home (as well as mother) for individual to remain proactive in job search and assist with transportation issue. Employer had previous experience working with persons with disabilities.

Case Example of Individual Change Strategy

Employment consultant knew of individuals past volunteering experience at a library. The consultant arranged a meeting with a local library's Human Resource department and advocated on the individual's behalf, focusing on his personal strengths, including his knowledge of the library system. The employment consultant arranged with the group home to provide transportation services for the individual to get to and from the work site. The individual's family was very proactive and supportive of fostering independence in the individual. The consultant made arrangements with library staff to learn the aspects of the assigned job and assisted the consumer in making the transition into employment.

Allegan County Community Mental Health
The Arc of Stanly County, Inc.
Career Design & Development Services
Career Support Systems, Inc.
The Cobb/Douglas Community Services Boards (CSBs)
HPS, Helping People Succeed, Inc.
KFI
Rise, Inc.
Via of Lehigh Valley