Workplace Skills
Popular disability workplace material in our Workplace Skills Store includes soft skills training and sensitivity training. That is because now more than ever, people with disabilities work within an integral part of the community they live in.
Twenty five years ago, disability work programs located within sheltered and segregated settings were common for employees with intellectual disabilities entering the labor force. Soft skills training, such as getting to work on time, getting along with others, and being enthusiastic on the job may have been the goals in these programs. However, often workers were not required to achieve them to retain their “sheltered” job. Today though, a disability work program is more likely to be integrated within the community. Competitive jobs, supported employment, and work enclaves require workers to master soft skill training in order to be successful in a community work setting.
As inclusive employment continues to evolve, workers with disabilities live, shop, and play within their communities. As wage earners they participate as consumers of goods and services. Therefore, employees without disabilities can expect to be working along side a person with a disability but they should also anticipate that they will be providing goods or services to this segment of the population. It is reasonable to assume that within their career employees will more than likely be part of an employee sensitivity training that focuses on disability as diversity, and how disability etiquette can relate to better customer service and more business for their employers.
For over 25 years, Program Development Associates has supported community employment by providing cutting edge disability work resources, information, and training programs.
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