Center on Community Living and Careers

Meet Justin! He found his niche sorting hangers with Cintas, a position his job coach advocated for him to obtain. Justin has a ton of fun at work with his coworkers! To learn more about Justin and competitive integrated employment (CIE), visit our website at https://go.iu.edu/8qrJ #Accessforall #Cintas #Disability #DisabilityAwareness #Employability #IDD #Inclusivework Video summary: This video tells the story of Justin, a young man who found meaningful employment at Cintas in Southern Indiana. It begins by introducing Justin and his previous work experience in a sheltered workshop, where he excelled at sorting hangers. Justin faced unemployment when the workshop closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. However, the need for hanger sorting persisted. Cintas reached out, seeking someone to fill the role. Justin's job coach facilitated a job tryout, which led to his successful hiring. The video highlights Cintas' supportive work environment, emphasizing how Justin feels valued and successful. It also shows a lighthearted moment celebrating Pi Day with pie. Justin concludes by encouraging others to "give it a try" when seeking employment, suggesting that opportunities are available with perseverance. The final slide is an infographic that says “WE’RE HERE FOR YOU! LEARN MORE ABOUT COMPETITIVE INTEGRATED EMPLOYMENT GO.IU.EDU/8QRJ” with the Center on Community Living and Careers logo.?

Meet Laney! Laney's employment journey took her from a restaurant, to Goodwill, to her current position in an office. Laney loves her new job! She feels independent and empowered. To learn more about Laney and competitive integrated employment (CIE), visit our website at https://go.iu.edu/8qrJ #Community #Disability #DisabilityAwareness #IDD #IDDCommunity #Inclusivework Video summary: This video introduces Laney, who shares her journey from working in a sheltered workshop to finding fulfilling employment within her community in an office. Driven by a desire for greater connection, she sought opportunities beyond her initial work setting. Laney highlights the crucial support of her family, who assisted her in networking and connecting with potential employers. Her work experiences included roles at a restaurant and Goodwill, leading her to realize she needed a job with less physical work. She now works in an office, emphasizing the importance of having the freedom to choose her desired type of work. Laney also extends her skills by volunteering with Meals on Wheels. She concludes the video with a message of encouragement, urging viewers to step outside their comfort zones. The final slide is an infographic that says “WE’RE HERE FOR YOU! LEARN MORE ABOUT COMPETITIVE INTEGRATED EMPLOYMENT GO.IU.EDU/8QRJ” with the Center on Community Living and Careers logo.

Meet Jack! With a desire for independence, Jack is working towards getting his GED while developing his soft skills at his job. Through his hard work, Jack is making his goals a reality. To learn more about competitive integrated employment (CIE), visit our website at https://go.iu.edu/8qrJ #cclc #iidc #competitive #integrated #employment #shelteredworkshop #disabilityservices Video summary: This video tells the story of Jack, who sought greater independence and career opportunities beyond his sheltered workshop experience. He decided to pursue a job in the fast-food industry, which opened his eyes to a wider range of employment possibilities. Jack then explored career options by touring Ivy Tech, where he discovered a passion for machinery. To achieve his career goals, Jack is now working towards obtaining his GED and simultaneously gaining valuable work experience through a part-time job. The video concludes by highlighting that Vocational Rehabilitation, also known as VR, can assist individuals with disabilities in pursuing their work-related goals. The final slide is an infographic that says “WE’RE HERE FOR YOU! LEARN MORE ABOUT COMPETITIVE INTEGRATED EMPLOYMENT GO.IU.EDU/8QRJ” with the Center on Community Living and Careers logo. Benchmark Human Services

Join Walking for Dreams on Sunday, May 18th, a family and pet-friendly event raising funds for Indiana Family to Family and other nonprofits. Your participation directly supports Indiana families by providing access to vital information, peer support, and training. Register today: https://lnkd.in/gC7mQQaS

Meeting the needs of students transitioning from high school is a complex process. Supporting students in the transition to adulthood is beyond the capacity of any one person or agency and is shown to be less effective in isolation. This week’s tip explores effective transition planning. It emphasizes the need for collaboration, a shared vision, diverse expertise, and integrated services to achieve beneficial outcomes for teams and students. Read this week’s issue: go.iu.edu/8sQp #IEP #Specialeducation #SPEDteacher #StudentSuccess #TransitionPlanning

?? Exciting Training Opportunity! ?? Join HANDS in Autism? for a Three-Day Transition Training designed to empower Pre-ETS Providers, VR Counselors, Transition Coordinators, and Secondary Educators with the skills and knowledge to support successful transitions for individuals with autism. ?? Date: April 16, 17, & 18 ?? Location: HANDS Center (IU Indy campus) or Virtual ? Special Offer: Enjoy a 30% discount exclusively for Pre-ETS Providers, VR Counselors, Transition Coordinators, and Secondary Educators! Discount will be applied after registration. Don't miss out on this chance to enhance your expertise and make a difference. Register now and take advantage of this limited-time offer! ?? Learn More & Register: https://lnkd.in/d8vsQZ2H #autismtraining #transitionsupport #professionaldevelopment #specialeducation #spedteacher #VocationalRehabilitation

Join us for "Let's Talk Benefits," a free, two-hour training covering state and federal programs. Parents, caregivers, and supporters will learn practical strategies to ensure a smooth transition to the workforce and safeguard benefits while supporting employment for individuals with disabilities. The next session is on Friday, April 25, 2025, from 08:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. EST. Register today at go.iu.edu/8rfY #disability #disabilitybenefits #disabilityresources #SocialSecurity #supplementalincome #benefits #disabilityadvocate

Despite the cold, it’s time to start planning for summer. In this week’s Tuesday’s Tip, learn how to use the Indiana Disability Resource FINDER to discover local camps for students to build transition-related skills. We've highlighted Camp Red Cedar, Camp Millhouse, Bradford Woods, and Happiness Bag Camp to jumpstart your search. Ready to start planning? Read this week’s issue on our website at go.iu.edu/8sJN #disabilityresources #disabilitysupport #specialeducation #specialeducationteacher #summercamp #TransitiontoAdulthood

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, a time to celebrate individuals with developmental disabilities and recognize their global contributions, achievements, and abilities. “We're Here All Year" isn't just this month’s theme; it's a call to action. It underscores a commitment to fostering community, accessibility, and opportunities for people with developmental disabilities daily, not just in March. Want to learn more? Visit the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) website: nacdd.org/ddam2025/ #DDAM #developmentaldisabilityawareness #Disability #IDD #nacddgallery #werehereallyear

Ready to transform student transitions? Schools should build reciprocal and collaborative partnerships with families. Parents are vital team members, offering unique insights and advocacy. A foundation of trust, respect, and shared purpose creates powerful opportunities for students to thrive. This week’s tip explores family roles and how educators can communicate with parents as they champion their child’s success. Read this week’s issue: go.iu.edu/8sEi #FamilyPartnerships #StudentSuccess #SpecialEducation #TeachingResources