Resumes Wanted!

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Jobs Without Limits (JWL) is a free online job board that was developed by Work Without Limitsto help connect qualified job seekers with disabilities to leading disability inclusive companies that are Sponsors of Work Without Limits and therefore committed to diversifying their workforces. Launched in the summer of 2015, JWL was beta tested by job seekers with disabilities, whose feedback was used to enhance the ease of use, navigability, and function of the job board. Though it is always a work in progress and we continually enhance the functionality to best meet the needs for both candidates and employers, JWL offers candidates with disabilities a safe place to self-identify and disability-inclusive employers to actively seek diverse candidates.

As a large part of my role at Work Without Limits, I manage the Job Board. I am always available during regular business hours, 8am-4pm Monday through Friday, and/or by email after hours for any questions job seekers or employers may have. To see the growth, response and employment success for both candidates and employers has been very rewarding for me. Please contact me at any time.

At present, Jobs Without Limits has over 4,000 currently available jobs postings from over 30leading disability inclusive employers throughout Massachusetts that represent a wide range of industries and occupations including accounting, education, finance, healthcare, insurance, manufacturing, retail, and retail banking.  Jobs are automatically “scraped” from employer databases to ensure they are accurate and current. Opportunities range from entry to professional level as well as internship opportunities. Over 200 candidates are currently seeking opportunities on the Job Board – approximately 50 have college degrees, 20 have Masters degrees and over 40have 10+ years of experience. There are jobs for every education and experience level, so get those resumes posted and become an Employer Sponsor to gain access to this talent pool!

Jobs Without Limits has many features for both job seekers and employers. These features include banner ads to highlight local disability service organizations, internship opportunities, hot jobs, and local disability and diversity related events. An employer page lists all the employers on the site, and provides information about each company. A community partner page lists and describes the different organizations, including state and private agencies as well as educational institutions with which Work Without Limits partners to source qualified job candidates.

Sponsoring employers have unlimited posting capability. They can search the candidate database, run reports of candidates (including targeted reports of those candidates that have specifically clicked through to their job postings), manually add job postings and at certain levels of sponsorship, they can tag specific postings as “hot jobs” to come up first in a candidate’s search.  A similar dashboard feature for jobseekers allows users to upload resumes to the searchable database, edit their profile, and run reports of job postings they’re interested in.

We recognize that job seeking and hiring is not typically a quick process, but we do our best to keep the conversation going – and even get it started – between potential candidates and employers. Upon request, a unique service I provide to individuals who apply for a job via the job board is to send a personalized email introduction to the employer. We have deep relationships with our Employer Sponsors and providing this “warm handoff” is very beneficial to both parties! Additionally, to keep job seekers and providers informed, each month I create an e-newsletter that provides job search tips, informative articles, highlights of hot jobs and internships, and lists local disability and diversity events.

If you are a job seeker with disabilities or an employer seeking a talented candidate and you haven’t checked out Jobs Without Limits yet, go take a look around, sign up, or contact us for more information! You might just find the candidate, or employer you have been looking for!

Visit JobsWithoutLimits today!

  • Individuals with disabilities –  Click here to register for JWL, upload your resume, and be considered for thousands of jobs being offered by our disability inclusive Employer Sponsors
  • Providers and Higher Education Institutions – Contact Us to learn how to become a WWL Community Partner and be featured on JWL
  • Employers – Sponsor WWL to become a member of the MABLN and gain access to the talented pool of candidates on JWL

The Empowered Woman

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Everywhere I turn these days, I encounter a new focus on the empowered woman. There is one notable area within this subject that is sometimes overlooked. That is the independence, empowerment and relevance of the woman with a disability.

Woman looking through colorful clothing

Disability issues came to the forefront when our country took the lead with the American with Disabilities Act. Now corporations of all sizes are mobilizing to accommodate and hire people with various disabilities – seeking to bring the rate of hire equal to that of the general population. There is still work to be done, but Work Without Limits Sponsors and Massachusetts Business Leadership Network (MABLN) members are perfect examples of these types of disability inclusive employers.

Woman with physical difference painting nails

Women and girls of all ages may face barriers to equality, but women with disabilities can be more vulnerable and further marginalized. As a result, they often face greater barriers to both social and professional opportunities. As I have watched women with disabilities navigate these barriers, I have learned a lot from them throughout my life’s journey.

Woman listening to speaker on phone

I have appreciated their optimism and goal setting and learned from their self-confidence and security with body image. I have been emboldened by their aggressiveness in job seeking and the demand for inclusiveness. Their push to learn and be educated, to have families and jobs and growing responsibilities, to participate in sports, and command a presence excites and motivates me!

Woman sitting in chair sewing

Whether she has spina bifida, multiple sclerosis, Down syndrome or depression, women with disabilities are having children, working, playing active sports, and participating as proud leaders in their communities.

Two women on computer

Women with disabilities wear trendy clothes, obtain doctorate degrees, party with friends, water ski, and jump out of airplanes. Women with disabilities multitask, drive cars, invent, use technology and lead companies.

Woman with a disability sitting in gym with friend, smiling

Disability Images works only with real people who have authentic disabilities. We demonstrate a positive, engaged lifestyle that shows women, and men, who are strong in mind, body and soul.  I continue to be energized by all the people I meet, but especially by women with disabilities.

Woman with disability looking at book with husband

Disability Images logo

For empowering images of women and others with disabilties, visit here:

Visit Here

For empowering videos of women with disabilities, watch here on Work Without Limits’ Facebook:

Bo Tanner sitting in front of a pool

Bo Tanner:

Visit Here

Stephanie Major sitting in front of computer in cube

Stephanie Major:

Visit Here

Sue Maloney smiling in her shop

Sue Maloney:

Visit Here

Improving Health Care for People with Disabilities through Research and Education

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In this video testimony, Dr. Linda Long-Bellil, Assistant Professor for the Center for Health Policy and Research at UMass Medical School and a member of the Work Without Limits training team, highlights her experience researching reproductive health for women with physical disabilities and teaching healthcare professionals how to provide quality healthcare to people with disabilities.

Watch her entire testimony here:

 

If you’re interested in learning more
about Dr. Linda Long-Bellil’s work visit here

Massachusetts Business Leadership Network attends Disability Inclusion Summit and Celebration

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In 2010, Work Without Limits (WWL) created the Business to Business (B2B) Network to provide information and resources to employers interested in successfully employing people with disabilities. In 2014, the US Business Leadership Network (USBLN) recognized the significant impact WWL was making in the disability employment space and invited WWL and the B2B Network to become the official MA affiliate of the USBLN, known as the Massachusetts Business Leadership Network (MABLN). Membership in the MABLN is a very important and valuable benefit of all employers’ sponsorship of WWL.

Photos By Jessica Lappin of Jessica Lappin Design

The MABLN is vital in maintaining contact among WWL sponsors in support of our collective goal of increasing the employment of people with disabilities so that it is equal to those without disabilities. MABLN members are private and public sector employers that are committed to diversity and inclusion, specifically the inclusion of persons with disabilities in their companies as employees, customers, and suppliers.

WWL facilitates regular MABLN meetings and webinars for members to share leading best practices to attract, recruit and retain employees with disabilities, market to and service customers with disabilities, include disability-owned businesses in company supply chains, and more. Semi-annually, in April and September, the MABLN meets in-person at one of our gracious host companies to continue the conversation around disability employment and to connect personally and expand professional networks.

Photos By Jessica Lappin of Jessica Lappin Design

This month’s meeting was hosted by MABLN member Laura Stout, Director of Contract Operations at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (BCBSMA). Stephanie Browne, BCBSMA Vice President of Talent Acquisition, Diversity & Inclusion opened the meeting with a warm welcome saying, “We are excited to host today’s MABLN meeting and have the USBLN, a leading advocate for disability communities, with us. We have been partnering with Work Without Limits through our Empowering Abilities ERG led by Laura Stout, Pat Vogt, Ted Burke and Lee Steingisser, for many years. Through that relationship, we have helped to drive a culture that is inclusive and supportive of all associates regardless of their abilities here at Blue Cross. Specifically, our partnership has helped progress our 4C’s (career, culture, community, commerce) diversity & inclusion strategy that connects the work we do in D&I to our company’s organizational business goals and objectives.”

Photos By Jessica Lappin of Jessica Lappin Design

The meeting began with recognizing WWL’s 5 Year Sponsors for their dedication to WWL and the MABLN and especially their commitment to recruiting, hiring, and retaining people with disabilities in the workforce. Thank you to BCBSMA, Eastern Bank, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, John Hancock, MAPFRE Insurance, MIT Sloan Executive Education, National Grid, State Street, TD Bank, TJX Companies, and University of Massachusetts Medical School. It is amazing the growth these companies have made around disability inclusion in the workforce in just 5 short years.

We were incredibly honored to welcome Becky Curran from the USBLN as our keynote speaker. Becky touched on her personal story as a person with physical differences struggling to find employment. She also spoke about the Disability Equality Index (DEI); the USBLN’s annual disability inclusion benchmarking tool. MABLN members were captivated as Becky overviewed the DEI’s results – areas companies are excelling at in terms of disability inclusion, areas that are showing improvement, and areas that are in need of significant improvement. Becky also spoke about the Disability Supplier Diversity Program (DSDP), which is the leading third-party certifier of disability owned businesses (DOBEs) and a way in which employers in the network can become more actively engaged in expanding their disability supplier involvement and footprint.

Photos By Jessica Lappin of Jessica Lappin Design

Laura Stout of BCBSMA led panelists John Morrell of TD Bank, Carrie Mota of MAPFRE Insuranceand Colleen Moran of Spaulding Rehabilitation Network in a discussion highlighting the importance of providing disability inclusion training to all levels of employees as a best practice. Training themes these companies have offered include general and broad reaching topics such as disability awareness and etiquette. Other, more targeted audience trainings have included interviewing and conducting performance discussions with individuals with disabilities. All of the panelists reinforced how valuable employee training is at all levels to fight stigma, raise awareness, and effect inclusive change as part of an overall diversity strategy. This panel inspired many great ideas to deeper inclusion for people with disabilities in the workplace that reached beyond training. Educational sustainability such as implementing disability employee resource groups, reviewing job descriptions for inclusive language and skill based behavior, and including disability inclusion as part of new employee orientation programs was a key part of the discussion.

Photos By Jessica Lappin of Jessica Lappin Design

We are very grateful for all our sponsors and we are excited about what the future holds as employment rates among people with disabilities continues to climb!

 

In order to achieve your company’s
diversity goals like any of those
listed above, please contact us
to become a member of the MABLN.

Is Braille Relevant in 2018?

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On January 4, 2018, millions of blind people worldwide paid homage to Louis Braille on what would have been his 209th birthday. The Braille system, which Louis began perfecting at the tender age of eleven, was adopted as the primary reading method of the blind by France in 1854 and started being used in the United States in 1860. Today, dynamic technological advances have caused the Braille literacy rate of blind children to decline. According to National Braille Press, only 12% of blind students learn Braille.

Upon completing my freshmen year of high school, I was hired for a summer job as a receptionist at Collette Vacations in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Collette had over 500 employees for whom I was responsible for connecting callers with. I placed the extension list in Braille, and referred to it to obtain proper contact information. As my responsibilities at Collette increased, I placed tour descriptions into Braille so I could respond to customer inquiries on tour highlights.

Braille remains important in my employment today. I work in the call center of Eversource Energy and receive emergency calls reporting gas leaks or odors. Each call is potentially a life-threatening situation, and I efficiently read a list of safety precautions, which have been transcribed into Braille. Last year, I was required to complete an oral presentation as part of a promotional exam. Utilizing Braille notes, I delivered the presentation with ease, and as a result I was promoted to a senior customer service position in October of 2017.

I know Braille books are cumbersome, Braille writers are heavy, and Braille displays are expensive, however, without Braille it would have been impossible for me to learn proper spelling, grammar, and sentence structure. Additionally, without Braille I would not have been named to the Dean’s List at Fitchburg State University, or been recognized by Work Without Limits as their 2017 Employee of the Year. As we consider whether Braille is vital in 2018, remember that of the 85,000 blind adults in the United States who are employed, 90% are Braille literate. Louis Braille’s invention has been a gift to me. Braille knowledge places visually impaired people on an equal pedestal with sighted relatives, friends and colleagues. Braille impacts my employment today, and will continue to benefit me in the future.

 

If you would like to learn more about
reasonable workplace accommodations visit here

 

 

C3 Prepares College Students with Disabilities for Career Success

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Campus Career Connect (C3) was created with the intent to aid transitioning young adults with disabilities from school to work and connect them to mentors within their desired career field. By promoting job readiness, inclusion, and advocacy trainings and advice, C3 mentors help make the transition from school to employment  positive and socially impactful. Mentoring on C3 can be found through the platform’s use of online events, local job listings, networking, resume building, soft and hard skill coaching, and an interactive forum space for questions and advice.

One year ago with funding from Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation, Partners for Youth with Disabilities (PYD) announced that it would partner with UMass Medical School’s Work Without Limits initiative to launch a new online group mentoring program to support community college students with disabilities with the goal of improving employment outcomes. Additional funding from The Milbank Foundation enabled PYD to expand beyond community college students in Massachusetts to include students with disabilities in any type of higher education institution across the nation.

Designed to be user-friendly and accommodating to any specific needs a mentee or mentor may have, C3’s aim is to bring group mentoring to a national level for those looking for a more remote and flexible presence. C3 members participate in monthly webinars geared toward discussing pertinent employment-related topics such as financial literacy, resume building, and interview skills. Users also have access to disability-friendly employers through a partnership with Work Without Limit’s job board, and can seek advice and support from one another through private messages or group discussions.

Mentors come from companies such as:

Alira Health;

Carroll Center for the Blind;

Clifton Larson Allen;

CVS Health;

Department of Children and Families;

EPI-USE America, Inc;

Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston;

FordwardWorks Consulting;

Gillette;

Haircuts Ltd;

John Hancock;

Maine State Chamber of Commerce;

MAPFRE Insurance;

MA Commission for the Blind;

Metrowest Regional Transit Authority;

National Ability Center;

National Organization on Disability;

Our Space Our Place;

Partners for Youth with Disabilities;

Sikorsky Aircraft;

UMass Medical School;

US Department of Transportation;

Work Without Limits

 

“C3 organizes additional information and provides a way to connect through the internet and also allows for communication beyond the in person meetings. The accessibility is great.” (Massachusetts Commission for the Blind; mentor)

How It Came To Be

C3 was designed to address the root causes in the current statistics showing that people with disabilities continue to face large barriers to schooling and employment, especially during the college to career transition.

Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that:

  • In 2016 the unemployment rate among people with disabilities was 10.6%; more than double than people with disabilities at 4.6%
  • 70% of 25 to 64-year old adults with disabilities are not participating in the labor force (not actively seeking or have been denied access to search for careers)
  • Students with disabilities are just as likely as their peers without disabilities to attend post-secondary classes, but they are significantly less likely to receive a degree
  • Students with disabilities that graduate with a post-secondary degree are two to four times less likely than their comparable peers without disabilities to find a job
  • If they do find a job, according to the American Institutes for Research, people with disabilities on average receive 37% less pay than their co-workers without disabilities—and that pay gap only gets larger the more higher education they have!

These disparities are huge and need to be addressed now. C3 was designed to specifically bring support to college students with disabilities that are seeking employment.

Back in October 2017, we heard from our users that C3 has helped shaped their confidence in finding employment. Our C3 mentoring staff was excited to share the success story of one of our mentees. Based on the tools and resources shared through the C3 along with their one-on-one career mentor, one mentee reported that they were more confident and ready for the job market. The mentee recently applied and was hired for a full-time position working in human services, their field of interest. They have credited the C3 network with equipping them with the skills and support to pursue their passion.

What Users Are Saying

“I like being able to connect with other volunteer mentors on C3 and read their profiles/stories. They’re very inspiring and motivating.” (mentee; University of California, Berkley)

“I’ve enjoyed the relationship I’ve built with a mentor and the communication part that was crucial to build the relationship.” (mentee; University of California, Berkley)

 

If you are interested in learning more about C3,
contact C3 Coordinator Deep Chinappa

The Stigma of Mental Illness: Both Sides of the Coin

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My name is Megan Northup and I have a mental illness. I have been in the hospital many times over the past five years, which has led me to miss weeks of work at a time.  I used to feel shame upon returning to work because no one except my boss and a few close co-workers knew where I had been or why. Initially, I felt like my mental illness was a secret that I had to keep because nobody at work talked about it. If I mentioned it, I always felt like I had directly addressed the elephant in the room, and no one knew how to respond. However, as time went on, I realized that it was not those I worked with who were uncomfortable with my mental illness, it was me. I saw it as a mark against my character and I thought it defined who I was as a person. Despite the internal or external stigma I felt at work upon returning from a hospitalization, I overcame it. I came to work every day and just did the best I could. This was not always easy. I struggled to concentrate on tasks because some of my medications made me extremely tired. I found that things I could usually handle just fine when I was feeling well could cause me to breakdown to the point that I wanted to quit. However, I knew quitting was not the answer as I got far more from work than just a paycheck on Friday. Work gave me a normalcy that I felt was missing from my life. To do my work and do it well gave me my confidence back and helped my self-esteem, which was almost nonexistent. Being productive again made me feel great and part of something bigger. That connection to my work helped in my recovery from my mental illness.

My Own History with the Stigma of Mental Illness

If I think back to my days at American International College as a young occupational therapy student who had yet to experience my first psychiatric crisis, I realize that even then I struggled with depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation almost daily.  I realize that I also struggled back then with the stigma of mental illness. I struggled so much so that I refused to do fieldwork in a psychiatric setting due to the fact I identified with what the clients were going through. I did not want to be associated in anyway with mental illness.  Life, however, sometimes has a funny way of coming full circle and years later I would find myself in the hospital, on a locked psychiatric unit, and those people I once stigmatized were my peers.

What I learned from being on a Psychiatric Unit

The biggest shock I received from being on a psychiatric unit was that the people around me were just normal everyday people. Yes, I may have met them at a low point in their life. Yes, they were all struggling with whatever issues they had but despite this, they were some of the nicest, most kind, and empathic people I had ever met. They were each trying their hardest to get back to their lives, spouses, children, hobbies, and jobs. I know that many of the people I have met are on disability income and do not work due to the difficulties they face on a daily basis. However, I firmly believe that given the chance and the right supports, many of them would be able to work and benefit from working as I have.  People with mental illnesses have a lot to offer employers: they are resilient, resourceful, and creative. They have overcome adversity, are well-spoken and well-read, and all have something to offer society. I have met individuals who are teachers, veterans, waiters, engineers, and students – all who are a part of an untapped talent pool frequently overlooked due to stigma and misconceptions. All they need is a chance.

What I Think

Sometimes I think our fear of things that are different or unknown can make us wary of interacting with, getting to know, or working with people who we view as different from ourselves. In the media, on television, and in the movies we see individuals with mental illnesses portrayed in a negative light, but these depictions of a few people with mental illnesses should not define a whole group of people who are as diverse in personality, skills, and life experiences as you and I. Therefore, I ask you to look beyond the stigma and misconceptions, and give people with mental illnesses a chance to prove themselves and to be productive, contributing members of our society.

Watch the Work Without Limits Team “Bursting the Stigma” In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month 2016

 

 

Visit Mental Health America to learn more about mental illness and the affect of stigma

 

Work Without Limits 3rd Annual Disability Mentoring Day

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Work Without Limits (WWL) is excited to announce that applications are open for the 3rd Annual Disability Mentoring Day (DMD), taking place on Friday, April 27, 2018 in collaboration with the Massachusetts Business Leadership Network (MABLN) and the American Association of People with Disabilities.

Disability Mentoring Day (DMD) is a large-scale national effort to promote career development for candidates with disabilities through hands-on career exploration and ongoing mentoring relationships.

How does it work?

Mentees are job seekers with disabilities who are 18 years or older and who are seeking to gain exposure to a professional working environment.  Each mentee completes an application where they are asked to provide information on their career goals and aspirations. Based on their answers, the mentee is paired with a mentor who works in a career that is similar to the mentee’s career goal.  On the actual Disability Mentoring Day, the mentee goes to the selected company for the day to meet their mentor and learn about the necessary skills needed for that particular role.

Companies who host the mentees are members of the MABLN, an association of businesses and employers that are committed to including people with disabilities in their workplaces.  Mentors from these companies are identified and matched to mentees according to career tracks and interests. The employers and mentors who participate in DMD are proven disability employment and inclusive hiring champions, and are eager to welcome mentees!

What are possible activities that may happen on DMD?

It’s possible that only one mentee will be matched with a company, but it is more probable that there will be a small group of perhaps 3-5 mentees at each company. Although each company is encouraged to get creative with the structure of their DMD, there are many agenda similarities across companies. A typical day might include:

  • Welcome and Mentor/Mentee Meet & Greet
  • Company Overview
  • Facility Tour
  • Application and hiring process overview with Human Resources
  • 1:1 mentor/mentee job shadowing and meeting time
  • Lunch 1:1 with mentor or in a small group

Mentees should plan to take part in all aspects of the Mentor’s work day, whether it be attending meetings, participating in conference calls, running a cash register, or one of the many other activities.

DMD is a great opportunity for mentees to learn about the culture of a particular company, to get hands on experience in a particular field, and above all, to build a professional network that they can leverage as they transition into work and throughout their careers!

In the pilot year of DMD (2016), 29 mentees and 10 employers participated. In the 2nd year (2017), 43 mentees and 9 employers participated. For our current year (2018), there are 7 employers participating. These companies include: Eastern Bank; Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston; John Hancock; MassMutual; National Grid; TJX Companies Inc.; and UMass Medical School.

How does one become a Mentee?

Mentees can refer themselves  or be referred by WWL Community Partner Organizations that include Asperger/Autism Network (AANE); Berkshire Works Career Center; Bridgewater State University; BU Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation; Carroll Center for the Blind; Community Work Services; Epilepsy Foundation of New England; Quinsigamond Community College; Massachusetts Commission for the Blind; Partners for Youth with Disabilities (PYD); Regional Employment Collaboratives; Triangle; and Work, Inc. Special thank you to our community partners for actively promoting DMD and sourcing mentees!

What do prior participants have to say about their experience with DMD?

In 2017, 96.3% of mentees thought they were matched successfully and 93.5% of mentors thought they were matched successfully.

Mentees who have participated in DMD in prior years have told us that their favorite part of DMD was:

“Meeting with my Mentor privately was a great opportunity I never could have realized without the creation of this day.”

“Five complete hours of enjoying the working experience with motivation galore from great hands-on exposure to kind hearted people who went out of their way to make me feel right at home!”

“My favorite part of the day was meeting other mentors and seeing what they did for jobs.”

“Getting to know people in the departments, press room and consumer line. Also getting to meet the incredible Attorney General Maura Healy.”

“My Mentor was very professional, and his current research project is related to my professional background.”

And Mentors told us:

“My mentee’s professional interests allowed us to explore how my role and career path could provide some valuable information for consideration in his career path goals.”

“We had three wonderful Mentees who were a great match for the office and made all of our efforts worthwhile. We felt like we hit the jackpot with the matches!”

“I see benefits of working with someone with autism, and that those benefits can outweigh the drawbacks!”

“The purpose of DMD is to encourage a person to participate in the world- introduce them to the work world. You do not need to know their disability to do that. ”

“DMD taught me how prepared and qualified individuals with disabilities are to work with, in some cases with little accommodation.”

“My mentee was absolutely delightful and was engaged throughout the day. He was very eager to meet and talk to as many people as possible!”

It’s not too late to apply for DMD
but slots are filling up quickly!
Deadline to apply is next Friday,
March 23rd. Sign up here!

My daughter, Noelle: Finding herself in her work

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Our daughter, Noelle, is on the cusp of adulthood. She’s an engaging 21-year-old with Down Syndrome, who is excited about what the future holds. We’ve helped her develop a vision of the life she wants to lead and employment is an important part of it. Why? A job will provide structure, purpose, and fulfillment to her life. It will help define her identity, influencing how she sees herself in the community and how the community sees her. How will this happen? Through the opportunities that employment provides for relationships, achievement and community inclusion.

Relationships – Life is more fun with friends! Young adults with disabilities can face challenges building and maintaining friendships. To avoid social isolation, they need opportunities to build and sustain meaningful relationships. The workplace can provide the types of opportunities for social interaction that can help build friendships. Noelle has experienced this in her volunteer role at a local nursing home. She has used her wit and charm to connect with patients in ways that others have not, bringing happiness to them and their families. The staff have embraced her too, surprising her last month with a birthday cake and delivering a collective smile!

Achievement – Employment provides opportunities for achievement, and achievement provides opportunities for fulfillment. A job can present daily opportunities for task completion and skill development; helping individuals with disabilities build their identity. Noelle exudes pride when she completes tasks and masters skills. You can’t wipe the smile off her face when we enter the local restaurant where she interns. She excitedly explains her role at the restaurant and introduces us to her manager. The impact of her workplace achievements are self-evident.

Noelle practices her elevator pitch during
a PwC sponsored session on job seeking skills.

Community Inclusion – If you are not present in the community, are you really part of the community? Too often individuals with disabilities lack employment opportunities in their local communities. The benefits of working near home are obvious – reduced commuting times, familiar settings, and, most importantly, the opportunity to be seen. Being seen allows one to experience the benefits of the community and interact with neighbors, friends, teachers, and family. Noelle loves being seen! Seeing acquaintances at local stores, restaurants, and other community settings can be the highlight of her day. Having these opportunities at work would have a meaningful impact on her life.

The impact of employment extends beyond the traditional wage for services model of an employer/employee relationship. A job often influences an individual’s identity – how they see themselves and how others see them. This is especially true for individuals with disabilities. As Noelle begins to search for jobs in earnest, our focus will be on helping her find a position that provides opportunities for relationships, achievement, and community inclusion.

Employment for individuals with disabilities should provide opportunities for relationships, achievement and community inclusion.

 

If you are a person with a disability seeking inclusive employment or an employer seeking diverse
candaites sign up to Work Without Limits Job Board

 

If you are an employer seeking great talent such
as Noelle, join our Massachusetts Business Leadership Network (MABLN) to gain access to all WWL has to offer!

Providing Quality Disability Benefits Planning Services Since 2000

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In 2000 and as part of the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act, the U.S. Social Security Administration awarded a number of benefits planning grants to community providers throughout the country. These grants, now referred to as Work Incentive Planning and Assistance (WIPA) grants, aimed to assist recipients of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to better understand the myriad of work rules and reporting requirements regarding these public benefit programs. Two grants were awarded in Massachusetts:

  • The Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission named their program, Project IMPACT. This program is still in existence today and services Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Plymouth, Bristol, Barnstable, Dukes, and Nantucket counties.
  • Resource Partnership, a private non-profit organization based in Natick, MA, named their program, BenePLAN. At the time of the grant, Kathy Petkauskos, current director of Work Without Limits (WWL), was the Executive Director of the Resource Partnership. In 2008 the BenePLAN grant and program transitioned over to UMass Medical School as part of the WWL Initiative, which aims to improve the employment rates for individuals with disabilities in Massachusetts.  This program services individuals living in Middlesex, Worcester, Franklin, Hampshire, Hampden and Berkshire counties.

    As part of Work Without Limits brand management process, BenePLAN has been renamed Work Without Limits Benefits Counseling. This rebranding provides a seamless integration of benefits counseling services into the larger picture of inclusive employment that has been the hallmark of Work Without Limits since its inception in 2008.
    Despite the name change, the WWL Benefits Counseling staff continue to provide comprehensive benefits counseling services in our territory. The mission of the benefits counseling program is to inform SSDI and SSI recipients about the effect of work income on all public benefits, not just their Social Security benefits. To date, WWL Benefits Counseling has provided services to thousands of Massachusetts residents.

    Through the hard work and dedication of our highly skilled team of Community Work Incentives Coordinators (CWICs), WWL Benefits Counseling provides one-on-one counseling to individuals receiving SSDI and or SSI.

    Our CWIC team, consisting of myself, Brian Forsythe, as well as my colleagues Barbara Lee, Marjorie Longo and Winnie Siano, explains the effect of work income on not only SSDI and SSI, but also MassHealth, Medicare, SNAP, EAEDC, TAFDC and Public Housing. Understanding the effect of work income on public benefits makes the decision to return to work less challenging.

    In addition to providing benefits counseling, the WWL Benefits Counseling team also provides a number of training programs geared toward state agency and community provider staff who work with individuals with disabilities who are working or looking to return to work. We additionally provide overview presentations to parents and caregivers looking to understand how work will affect their child’s public benefits.

    Work Without Limits also provides Benefits Counseling services to Social Security beneficiaries through the Work Without Limits Administrative Employment Network (WWL AEN).  Individuals enrolled in this program have assigned their Social Security Ticket to Work to the WWL AEN and have achieved or are seeking to achieve independence from SSI or SSDI payments.  Benefits Counseling services through the WWL AEN are designed to help individuals build a bridge to financial security free from public benefits.

    Learn more about WWL Benefits Counseling 

    Register to one of our Nuts & Bolts training

    If you would like to learn more about WWL AEN