Midwest

Cole turned an early work experience into a rewarding hospital career. Through persistence, self-advocacy, and support from mentors and coworkers, he has earned promotions, developed new skills, and been recognized for his contributions. His journey shows that career growth may not always be linear, but every step helped him move forward.

Dillian’s journey demonstrates how individualized supports, persistence, and strong work experiences can lead to career advancement. After exploring different jobs through transition services and working in the community, Dillian secured a full-time, benefitted position as an environmental specialist at a nursing home. With support from his family, service provider, and job coach, he developed the skills and confidence needed to succeed, achieve greater independence, and work toward his personal goals.
 

Annie, a hardworking young woman and Special Olympics athlete, uses Wisconsin’s self-directed services program to shape her employment and independence. With support from Project Search, Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, and “Include, Respect, I Self-Direct,” she secured a full-time hospital job she loves and built skills for independent living. By directing her own services and budget, Annie chooses supports like job coaching and cooking lessons-empowering her to live, work, and pursue her passions on her own terms.

Nate, a 37-year-old Ohioan with cerebral palsy, blends traditional, independent, and self-directed service models to maximize independence, choice, and flexibility. Through vocational rehab, natural supports, and self-directed transportation, he built a fulfilling career in disability outreach, podcasting, and education. He views self-direction as a “lifeline,” empowering people with disabilities to plan, adapt, and achieve individualized success.

Abigail is an advocate, teacher, and entrepreneur who enjoys helping others and staying active in her community. Inspired by her early love of teaching, she built a career as a special education substitute teacher and launched her own business, Transit2GO, which trains people to use public transportation independently. With support from self-directed services and a dedicated employment team, Abigail customized her supports to fit both her personal and professional goals. These services allow her to hire staff, cover business expenses, and stay organized while balancing teaching and running her business. Abigail’s story highlights how self-directed services empower people with disabilities to have control, customize supports, and combine funding sources to achieve greater independence and success.

Brad is a middle-aged man who lives in Kansas. He enjoys supporting his home teams at sports events and getting lost in a good mystery novel. Since 2019, Brad has worked at the Kansas University Center on Disability as a researcher. He comes to this work after a long history of advocacy work at the local, state, and national levels. 

Dupree is a 35-year-old man living in Minnesota. He describes himself as outgoing and talkative, finding joy in connecting with others through podcasting and being active in his community. Dupree is a lead state advisor at the University of Minnesota (UMN) Institute on Community Integration and a teaching artist at Upstream Arts. Dupree’s passion for self-advocacy has led to many opportunities, including his role on the board for the Arc of Minnesota and as an advisor for a federally funded project based at UMass Boston’s Institute for Community Inclusion.

Troy is 31 years old and lives in Missouri. Troy is an active volunteer in his community and has a paid job on the facilities team at a local school. Troy volunteers serving food through the local chapter of Meals on Wheels — a national organization that prepares and delivers food to homes and community kitchens for older adults and people with disabilities. He also volunteers  serving meals at a local summer camp, Strong Tower Ranch. Troy is a long-time member of the local Special Olympics basketball team and a huge Chicago Bulls fan. Troy’s dedication to serving others through volunteering, his love of basketball, and the connections he made in his paid position at the school all culminated into an offer to serve as volunteer assistant coach for the community’s Little League basketball team.

Christina is an energetic young woman who works at Bothwell Hospital in Sedalia, Missouri as a part-time dietary aide. She enjoys her job and earns well above minimum wage. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Christina’s work conditions and responsibilities changed. As a result, the nature of her supports also shifted from having an on-site job coach to remote supports via iPhone. With the support of her provider, the Center for Human Services (CHS), Christina was able to alter her position and supports and maintain employment.

Jeremy lives in Griffith, Indiana, and says he is always busy and trying to better himself. Since graduating from high school, he has held a 35- to 40-hour-a-week job at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, is completing his final semester towards a college degree in office administration, and is pursuing his passion to be a magician.