Every day, Goodwill’s employment services staff works hard to develop partnerships with local business and organizations throughout Connecticut . The process begins with a referral followed by an intake to acquire information on the individual’s needs and abilities. The next step is to develop vocational goals and a plan. Then, Goodwill assists the individual with resume writing, interviewing and job retention skills. Often, a two-week assessment takes place at a local company to determine if a particular job is a good match.

Because every person is different and the severity of disabilities varies, the jobs developed range from supermarket bagger to dental assistant to accountant. The staff strives to meet the needs of the employer as well as those of the employee. The employee gets a job at which he/she can succeed and become self-sufficient, while the employer gets a reliable, hard-working employee who contributes to the success of the company.

Recent successes included the placement of an individual who hadn’t worked for six years as a HVAC technician and the placement of a person who had previously worked in direct care as an intake worker. What makes the program successful is that the community works together. Over 130 businesses are currently working with Goodwill.

Goodwill guides companies and organizations on how to provide a seamless transition for job seekers with physical and mental disabilities through the use of assistive technology and other devices. According to a study conducted by Business Week, job performance by people with disabilities is equal to or better than their peers without disabilities. Goodwill urges employers to tap into this skilled labor pool for the benefit of what people with disabilities can do, and the value they bring to a company.

To learn more about working with people with disabilities, visit www.goodwillwct.org or call 1-800-423-9787.