Supported Employment

NW Works offers supported employment programs to ensure you are successful at work. Our team of Vocational Rehabilitation Specialists, often referred to as Job Coaches, will accompany you to work as often as you and your support team determine is necessary. Supported Employment opportunities include Individual Supported Employment and Group Supported Employment.

Two gentleman wearing masks assembling boxes in the Railing Warehouse at Trex.

Photo Courtesy of Trex

  • In this program, you will work in a team environment, with both disabled and nondisabled coworkers at one of our partner job sites. An NW Works Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist will provide support at all times to ensure quality, individualized care even in a group setting. Group Supported sites include production line work, assembly, and other group assignments. As you learn the roles and responsibilities at the group sites, you may choose to transfer your skillset and pursue Individual Supported Employment at any job site you choose.

A caucasian gentleman in a wheelchair takes and examines a ticket at a movie theater.

Photo from AMC Theatres, Winchester

  • In this program, you will be supported in selecting, securing, and sustaining competitive, integrated employment in the community. You will receive ongoing training and assistance from one of NW Works' Vocational Rehabilitation Specialists to reach your career goals. In collaboration with the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services, you will work with a Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist and a Vocational Counselor to identify the amount of assistance you will need to learn job tasks and meet the expectations of your employer. Once you and your support team determine that you can complete the essential functions of your job, long term follow-along support may be provided as needed, or you can choose to phase out of job coaching services.

  • Jonah has a positive demeanor and is always friendly with our guests. He is consistently cracking jokes and making the team laugh. Jonah pays attention to the tasks at hand and asks questions if he needs clarification. NW Works has been greatly involved in Jonah’s success.

    Holly, AMC General Manager

  • We feel very fortunate to have these hardworking individuals from NW Works as part of our team… The labor market is incredibly tight and competitive right now, so the employees who come to us from NW Works have become an essential part of our day-to-day operations.

    Zachary Lauer, Trex Company Vice President

Why Hire People with Disabilities?

An older woman in a beige shirt with dark hair stands while folding a pizza box.
An older woman stands in front of a row of pizza boxes at her job. She is wearing a tan coat and has glasses on.

Photo from Roma’s

Hiring people with disabilities brings a number of benefits, from added diversity in your workplace to government incentives. According to a study by The Institute for Corporate Productivity, individuals with developmental disabilities contributed to higher productivity rates, increased customer loyalty, and lower absenteeism.

To learn more, check out the resources at the Department of Labor’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month website.