Easter Seals Disability Services

Workforce Development

Since 1986, Easter Seals Central Texas has provided employment assistance to adults with disabilities and other barriers to employment. Participation in Paid Job Training & Employment Services Programs serves to enhance the self-sufficiency and quality of life of our clients as well as the contributions they make to our community.

*Funding is provided through private, city, county, state contracts and grants, Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS), TIBH, TXDOT, individuals and corporate donors.

Paid Job Training

Easter Seals Central Texas has employed hundreds of adults with disabilities and other barriers to employment in the Paid Job Training Program.  Workforce trainees are offered full-time employment and on the job training.  Experienced trainees have opportunities for advancement within the Easter Seals Team.  Paid Job Trainees may also seek additional support from the onsite Transitions Team, including mental health counseling services and referrals for community services.  On the job training encompasses development in the following areas:

• Teamwork
• Building a successful employment history
• Healthy work habits
• Independence
• Sense of Pride

Outcomes of participation in the Paid Job Training Program include: a steady pay check, establishment of a solid work history and learning valuable hard and soft skills which can be enhanced through choices made by the trainee. 

Adults in the Paid Job Training program may also seek support from the seven program areas within the Employment Services Program.  Each one is unique and important in carrying out the Easter Seals Central Texas mission:

• Supported Employment
• Transitions
• Follow Along Services
• Independent Living
• Liberation Station
• Mental Health Counseling
• Ticket to Work

Employment Services

The Employment Services Program at ESCT helps adults with disabilities to find and keep jobs. All services are provided free of charge. The specialized programs that make up Employment Services address the individual support needs of our clients, and make a significant contribution to their long-term success both at work and at home. This one-on-one support truly results in enhanced self confidence and independence.

Supported Employment and Transitions Programs
provide assistance to adults with disabilities who want to work.  Whether it is a person’s first job, a job change, or a need for assistance to keep a job, individualized support is available.  We work closely with the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) to help individuals identify their employment goals, and develop plans to achieve them.

Follow Along Program
is unique in the Austin area. We provide follow-along support for clients who have been stable in their job for more than 90 days. By offering work place support and continued contact with clients, the program strives to foster success in long-term employment.

Independent Living Program
provides supports to adults with disabilities with the goal of helping them maintain as much independence as possible in their chosen living arrangements. The program is flexible and geared to the individual needs of clients. Independent Living clients learn about various aspects of living independently, including fitness, wellness, and activities available to them in the Austin community.  

Liberation Station
is our technology lab where clients have access to computers, and assistive technology for those who need it. The goal of Liberation Station is to provide computer skills, and encourage participants to explore their community and expand their world via the internet.  

Mental Health Counseling
is available to participants in the Paid Job Training Program. This valuable service is designed to offer counseling at the work site, in an effort to help individuals resolve problems that might become barriers to maintaining employment and independence.   

Ticket to Work
is a Social Security Administration program whose goal is to assist Social Security recipients in returning to the workforce. ESCT Employment Services functions as an Employment Network with Ticket to Work, and is thereby able to provide work retention services to these individuals.

**In July 2007, we are proud to report that received our third accreditation from CARF - this is the highest level of accreditation possible and is valid for three years. 

“Thank you Easter Seals for finding a substantive job for Gary and then preparing him to accomplish his job on his own. We would love to have known about Easter Seals when Gary was in Special Education in high school.  Finding appropriate jobs was difficult and training was sporadic.”

-         Kathy & Chuck Lupher, Gary’s parents

“I wish all our employees had Mario’s work ethic.”

-         Joe Ramos, Supervisor at Chili’s Restaurant. Mario Rodriguez has been a Kitchen Assistant at Chili’s since 2005. He received the “Employee of the Year” Award from the Austin Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities. Mario, an Employment Services Client, is also the Easter Seals Central Texas 2009 Adult Representative

“It seemed hard to find a job when potential employers would find out that I’m disabled or visually impaired.” 

-         David Owens, employed as a tour guide at the Texas State Capitol with the assistance of Easter Seals Central Texas Employment Services