Marilee Boylan is an occupational therapist with a background in supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). She has extensive experience in job development and coaching, helping individuals with IDD find meaningful employment opportunities. Marilee is passionate about creating job matches that utilize the strengths and skills of individuals with disabilities, and she believes in the transformative power of work in building a vibrant life.

Maria Mercado is an employment support specialist at Job Path, an organization that focuses on supporting individuals with disabilities in finding and maintaining employment. Maria is dedicated to helping participants integrate into their jobs and communities, providing them with the necessary accommodations and support to succeed. She is committed to breaking down the stigma surrounding disabilities and advocating for equal opportunities in the workforce.

In this episode, Gina Scarpa interviews Marilee Boylan and Maria Mercado about the importance of employment support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). They discuss the low employment rates for people with IDD and the value of hiring individuals with disabilities. Marilee shares a success story of a past student with autism who found a job that utilized his talents and skills, highlighting the potential and contributions of individuals with disabilities in the workplace. Maria discusses the work of Job Path in supporting individuals with disabilities in finding and maintaining employment, emphasizing the high success rates and the positive impact on participants' lives. They also explore the role of direct support professionals (DSPs) in helping individuals with disabilities find and succeed in their jobs.

Key Takeaways:

• 85% of working-age adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities are not employed, mainly due to a lack of opportunity rather than a lack of skill.
• Success in employment for individuals with disabilities is often a result of repetition, hard work, and being given the opportunity.
• Direct support professionals (DSPs) play a crucial role in employment support by getting to know the strengths, interests, and skills of individuals with disabilities and finding job matches that utilize their talents.
• Once someone is placed in a job, employment support continues by providing accommodations, ensuring work requirements are met, fostering positive relationships with coworkers, and supporting career development.
• The most rewarding part of employment support is seeing participants integrate into their jobs, take pride in their work, and experience personal growth and recognition in the community.

Notable Quotes:

• "Success is from repetition, hard work, and most importantly, from being given the opportunity." - Marilee Boylan
• "So many times people with IDD have not been given the opportunity to work." - Marilee Boylan
• "Everyone that can open their heart is able to put something on the table to provide supportive employment to someone." – Maria Mercado
• “It is so rewarding for me to see the participants identify with their work and feel pride and take initiative to take steps on their own.." - Maria Mercado

Resources:

• Job Path
• EmployAbility
• ABLE Accounts

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