We envision people with moderate to significant disabilities competing in an inclusive job market and earning wages equal to non-disabled workers.

The Future We Are Creating

Collaborative Employment Innovations will assist job seekers with moderate to significant disabilities to even the playing field in their search for inclusive employment. 

The 2010 US Census reports that an estimated 656,200 people with cogitative disabilities were actively seeking employment.   

How We Are Creating It

We are soon approaching the launch of Collaborative Employment Innovations an employment support agency. The Employment Specialist/Owner-operator has over 15 years experience-assisting individuals with disabilities to live fully integrated lives outside of institutions.

Our services will provide development of skills and strategies necessary for successful and meaningful employment outcomes. Our approach is holistic, we not only look and the individual’s career goal, interest, skills and capacities but equally the overall barriers to the individual’s success.  Our customers are empowered through out the process. They are invited and expected to be fully involved (to the best of their abilities) in the development of a job placement action plan.     

Are approach also includes working with business to help them maximize productive and cost effectiveness. We will assist businesses to identify jobs that are overlooked, done by outside contractors at a high rate or entry level tasks performed by a highly paid professional worker who’s time could be better spent doing others things. 

Our Story & Why You Should Support Us

Having a sister two years younger then me who experiences a disability has given me, I believe, unique insight to the joys and struggles that people with disabilities face as then make strives towards equality. Growing up I always knew my sister to be in a classroom different then her non-disabled peers, with teachers who seemed a little nicer and homework that was fun and crafty. 

Once my sister graduated from high school things didn’t go so well. She went from having productive days to sitting home as her non –disabled peers went on to college or into the work force and she became extermely depressed. To make a long story short, it took awhile but our family figured it out and found the state office of vocational rehabilitation services. After more time pasted she got a job and her life was much fuller. Like many of us she's had a few jobs along the way but over all she's successful.  

Naturally, I went into the field of human services as a case manager specializing in “Supported Employment”. Over the years I’ve learned how important it is for individuals who want to work to have the opportunity. I’ve seen many people with disabilities fail because they lack the skills needed to make it in the work world. More often then not, it isn’t their ability to perform a job task but rather lack of skills to; socialize, care for one’s self, time management, positive problem solving or access to reliable transportation. However, when a holistic approached is used to pre-address these barriers the person has a significant higher chance for success. I know, I’ve seen it and studies proved it!

Having a job is so much more then a pay check. I truly believe and have made it my business mantra that “Employment Equals Income, Power and Choice” for people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

I believe my business venture to be a good candidate for Start Some Good because it supports efforts towards social change, full inclusion and allows an individual with disabilities to make steps towards self-sufficiency while contributing to the economy.      

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