Easterseals UCP’s new program called Transition to Employment is preparing young adults with Intellectual and Development Disabilities for employment. High school students and adults ages 16 to 26 are engaged in job exploration, workplace communication, employment skills, and self-advocacy.
Transition to Employment participants are learning various aspects of the workplace from four Easterseals UCP offices located in Ahoskie, Elizabeth City, New Bern and Wilmington, NC.
In Wilmington, the young adults are involved in an exciting project that is teaching them new skills and how to follow directions. They’re making small two-inch buttons with pins that display logos or artwork. Marguerite, the Transition to Employment Coordinator, is the brains behind supporting the young adults on this project. She’s thrilled to see the participants make progress and enjoy being part of a creative project.
“Individuals see themselves empowered. Once you give them the methodology, they see the success in it,” says Marguerite said. “They are completing a task from beginning to end. It’s very rewarding for all of us!”
As a former special education teacher, Marguerite found that repetition and visual task analysis helped individuals with a variety of challenges including developmental delays, autism and Down Syndrome. She’s teaching the Transition to Employment students to complete the buttons by following a step-by-step process using pictures.
Transition to Employment services for young adults are available in Ahoskie, Elizabeth City, New Bern and Wilmington. More information about the Easterseals UCP Transition To Employment program.
About Easterseals UCP
Easterseals UCP North Carolina & Virginia is a trustworthy, compassionate partner providing exceptional disability and behavioral health services to help our neighbors live their best lives. Purpose, dedication and empathy drive our service delivery. Our diverse and inclusive 2,300 member team provides more than 9 million hours of meaningful support to 22,000 kids, adults and families in 11,000 home and community locations.
