Did you know that in 2025 only 22.8% of people with disabilities were employed compared to 68% of those without a disability? With a figure nearly three times higher, this disparity highlights the obstacles that individuals with disabilities face when trying to enter the workforce.
At ADAPT, we are committed to breaking down these barriers through our Supported Employment Program. At its core, our program empowers our people supported to obtain employment within their communities. Through vocational training, professional development, job coaching, and access to the latest assistive technologies, ADAPT helps individuals find jobs that are tailored to their strengths and abilities, setting them up for success and helping them excel in their workplace.
KerryAnn Buchanan, Coordinator of Operations for Supported Employment, plays a key role in connecting the people we support with competitive job opportunities. She shares that ADAPT’s Supported Employment program assists individuals in achieving competitive employment through three pathways: the OPWDD Employment Training Program (ETP), Adult Career and Continuing Education Services–Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR), and support for individuals who are independently hired and are waiver-enrolled.
Employed individuals are assigned a job coach and personalized support. Recognizing that everyone has unique strengths, participants work closely with their job coaches to help develop the skills necessary to succeed both professionally and personally in the workplace.
Currently, some of the roles held by our people supported include: administrative assistant, cart collector, grocery associate, kitchen aide, custodian, paraprofessonal, school aide, kitchen prep, and stockroom associate.
Supported Employment currently has 50 individuals across these programs, and the program continues to grow. The goal is to help people obtain and maintain competitive employment, with some individuals having remained in their positions for more than seven years. Participants are able to earn income, do work they enjoy, gain independence, and make meaningful contributions to their communities.
Reflecting on the impact of the program, KerryAnn shares her vision for its future:
“My goal is to grow the program and have every person who comes through the door find employment. We are here to assist people within ADAPT and within the community.”
For more information about ADAPT’s Supported Employment program, please visit: https://adaptcommunitynetwork.org/service-options/employment-services/