Employment
People with intellectual or developmental disabilities can be competitively employed in their communities. We believe that people with disabilities should be supported to make informed choices about their work and careers, and should have the resources to seek, obtain, and be successful in integrated community employment. In addition, in the rare situations, when individuals are not able to work, volunteer opportunities should be pursued and made available. Rehabilitation is the process of helping a person achieve the highest level of function, independence, and quality of life possible. (The Arc 2017)
Headquartered in Newburyport, with a satellite facility in Haverhill, Opportunity Works is a 501(c)3 private, non-for-profit corporation serving more than 216 men and woman, ranging in age from 22 to 75, who come from 18 Merrimack Valley/North Shore communities. Opportunity Works enhances the quality of life of people with disabilities by empowering individuals and promoting a culture of dignity and respect through integration, inclusion, and independence. (Opportunity Works 2017)
TILL offers an extensive and comprehensive range of residential, clinical, family support services and day and vocational programs that meet the needs of individuals and their families of all ages with disabilities throughout Eastern Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire. We support individuals of all ages with intellectual disabilities, learning differences, mental health disorders, autism spectrum disorders including Asperger's syndrome, physical disabilities, and acquired brain injuries. Staying true to our values, our service models address the unique characteristics of each diagnosis. Despite similar functional needs, we plan our services based on chronological age, specific diagnosis and life experiences. (TILL 2017)
Empower and support people with disabilities and elders to live with dignity and independence in the community by expanding, strengthening, and integrating systems of community-based long-term supports that are person-centered, high in quality and provide optimal choice. (Community First 2017)
This resource (developed by the counselors of the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission) includes listings of popular job hunting sites, hints on searching the Internet for job listings and information about posting your resume on the Internet. (Mass.gov 2017)
