Sometimes it helps to hear it from someone who’s traveled the path you’re on. Our research team, with the support of agency staff, conducted interviews with individuals, families, support staff and leadership across Indiana to gather insights into what it takes to transition successfully from working in a sheltered workshop to being competitively employed in the community.
Individual Employment Stories
Jack
Jack is a 49-year-old man with a desire for independence and a career in factory machinery. With the Vocational Rehabilitation and Benchmark team’s guidance, he is working towards obtaining a GED and soft-skill development at a fast-food restaurant.
Justin
Justin lost his job at a sheltered workshop during the Covid pandemic. Arc Evansville's employment program helped him land a new job at Cintas where he sorts hangers and builds meaningful relationships with his coworkers.
Laney
Laney's journey from sheltered work to integrated employment is a testament to the power of community and personal connections. With the encouragement and guidance of her parents, she found a fulfilling job that aligns with her interests and allows her to build meaningful relationships with her coworkers.
Roy
Roy found his ideal job at McDonald's after working at sheltered workshops, Goodwill, Tractor Supply, and many restaurants. His VR counselor and job coach have ensured he has reliable transportation and reasonable workplace accommodations.
Ruthie
Ruthie, a resident at Arc Southwest's supported living program, disliked her sheltered workshop job. Now she enjoys cleaning rooms at a nursing home. While she finds dealing with difficult residents challenging, she is learning to cope with it and aspires for a future job in cooking.
Ryan
Ryan transitioned from a sheltered workshop environment to working two part-time roles in the agricultural industry. His long-term goals include securing full-time employment and independent living.
Stacey
Stacey likes her social job and other activities. While she explored a sheltered workshop job, she decided it was not a good fit for her. She prefers a job in the community that pays at least minimum wage. This shows the importance of informed choice, individualized planning, and personal goals.
Terry
Terry successfully transitioned from a sheltered workshop to a job he loves at Pizza Hut. Within four years he has gained supportive coworkers, a flexible work schedule, and continuous career development.
Tim B.
Tim B. transitioned from a sheltered workshop to community employment driven by his desire for a more integrated work experience. With the support of Vocational Rehabilitation, Tim B. chose an agency that offered the support of a job coach who helped him secure a job at the YMCA.
Tim M.
Tim M. enjoys staying active and busy, which he didn’t experience at his previous job at a sheltered workshop. After his time in sheltered work, Tim M. found a new job at Aramark, a local food vendor that provides cafeteria services to the nearby Toyota factory.
Thank you to these individuals for sharing their experiences.
Individual Employment Videos
These video stories feature Hoosiers with disabilities who have successfully transitioned into community jobs.
Linzy
After graduating with her class, Linzy completed a community transition program that has been placing 18-21 year olds in a variety of paid work experiences. Linzy, who lives with her mother, independently uses both the public bus system and a dial-a-ride service that takes her around town and to her music lessons.
Dallas
In addition to working as a landscape assistant at a golf course, Dallas loves lifting weights at a local gym. He lives with his mother and father who help with transportation, but he also uses a transportation service set up through an area disability service provider. Dallas recently purchased a new home gym, which he single-handedly assembled in his basement.