In recognition of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), we highlight the vital role employment plays in empowering individuals with disabilities, as well as the significant barriers they continue to face. When students with disabilities turn 22, they lose access to legally mandated special education services, leaving families to navigate an adult services landscape that is often fragmented, overburdened, and unprepared to meet their unique needs. This gap directly impacts these individuals’ ability to gain independence and economic security through employment.

Employment provides individuals with disabilities the opportunity for equity, economic stability, and independence. Competitive, integrated employment offers the benefits of earning a fair wage, obtaining health insurance, and accruing paid leave. However, these opportunities remain out of reach for too many. In Southeastern Pennsylvania, only 17% of individuals with disabilities are employed in competitive roles, according to Pennsylvania’s 2019-2020 Comprehensive Employment Report. Additionally, unemployment among individuals with disabilities is three times higher than for those without disabilities.

Youth with autism and other disabilities are especially in need of robust vocational training and job skill development. Yet, as noted in a report from the Pennsylvania Bureau of Autism Services, more than one-quarter of adults with autism report needing—but not receiving—vocational training or supported employment, and more than two-thirds are unemployed. Providing young adults with disabilities meaningful, supported work experiences early on helps set them up for long-term success in the workforce.

Valley Forge Educational Services (VFES) is committed to equipping students and adults with disabilities with the skills they need to thrive in the workforce. Through our continuum of services, VFES offers an array of programs that empower the individuals we serve through hands-on work experiences, vocational training, and tailored support programs.

Starting as early as elementary school, students at The Vanguard School, a program of VFES, engage in the Work Orientation Readiness Center (WORC), a program that builds foundational work skills, such as time management, teamwork, and communication. In WORC, students perform a variety of jobs, from data entry to binding and mailing projects, all of which reinforce soft skills essential for employment. As part of the curriculum, WORC Teacher, Christine Chapracki, teaches students the importance of being on time, communicating politely with classmates and teaching staff, maintaining proper hygiene and grooming and other skills critical in the workforce.

Vanguard’s work-readiness programs continue throughout the students’ educational journey. Some older students participate in the Community-Based Vocational Training (CBVT) program, which allows our high school and post-secondary students from the Vocational Training Center (VTC) program to gain off-campus job experience at local businesses. In 2023, 69 Vanguard students participated in CBVT, working up to three times a week at sites including retail stores, shipping centers, and food service locations. Donna Mazzella, Vocational and Transition Coordinator, shares, “Through our CBVT program, we see our students develop both hard skills and critical soft skills that make them more independent, confident, and prepared to enter the workforce.”

CBVT experiences have also resulted in direct, paid employment for some Vanguard graduates. For example, one student, Liam N., worked at White Horse Village through CBVT and really enjoyed his time there.  He was such a hard worker that came so far in his vocational journey that White Horse urged Liam to apply for a paid position in their food service department.  After graduation, Liam applied and interviewed, and has now been working competitively at White Horse for almost three years.

A current student who started working at our CBVT partner worksite, USLI, three years ago has also gained notable confidence through his CBVT experience. "This student has always been so smart and talented, but his shyness and extreme quietness have been a barrier for him to thrive in a workplace,” said Mazzella. Through mentorships at USLI and work with his Vanguard job coach, the student has remarkably come out of his shell and is now having full conversations with staff and classmates about how much he loves working at USLI and plans to apply for a position there upon graduation.

Vanguard’s Pre-Employment Training Center (PETC) offers even more targeted training for students needing extra support. PETC’s flagship program, Phin’s Café, is a student-run coffee, food and snack shop where students rotate through roles like cashier, order builder, and barista. Culinary Arts Specialist Sheila McCoy describes the impact of the café experience, saying, “After working in the food industry for over 25 years, I know these are the employees I searched for. They are enthusiastic and eager to please. One student recently shared how working in the café made his day. Seeing the students’ pride and growth in their roles is truly inspiring.” Through tasks like cash handling, food prep, and customer service, Phin’s Café fosters both confidence and real-world skills for future employment. In fact, this year, five students are preparing to take the ServSafe food handler certification exam, a credential that opens doors for future employment in the food industry.

Has the PETC program resulted in success stories? Absolutely! McCoy states, “Honestly I feel I could name each one of our students as a success story. They have all come so far in a very short time.” In particular, she highlighted one student who was once very quiet and reserved, and was also very unsure of himself. The student didn’t feel comfortable making drinks. Two days into his role though, he was turning out perfect orders and giving his classmates fist bumps to celebrate the perfection of his craft. Another student was disappointed that McCoy had assigned him to be an expeditor because he thought it was a useless job. Not only has the student excelled in his role, he has on quite a few occasions corrected McCoy for possible mistakes or for looking over his shoulder when he was clearly in control. A third example is a student who has become Phin’s Café’s marketing guru. Her amazingly creative café chalkboard designs, menus, and flyers uncovered her hidden talent for marketing and design and are a valuable benefit to the café.

For individuals who have aged out of Vanguard, as well as adults with no Vanguard affiliation, VFES’ Customized Workforce Solutions (CWS) program offers employment support to adults with disabilities in the workforce. CWS provides job coaching, career counseling, and interview preparation to empower individuals to find and maintain employment that aligns with their strengths and interests. “We work closely with individuals to identify career goals and develop the skills necessary for success,” explains Christine Coughenour, Director of Adult and Recreation Services. CWS currently serves 65 neurodiverse adults, some of whom are seeking employment while others receive support to sustain their roles.

For a recent success profile of a CWS participant, Allie Love, click here to visit our website article.

As we commemorate National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we honor the dedication of students, families, educators and support staff, and employers working to expand access to employment for individuals with disabilities. When people of all abilities are included in the workforce, our communities and our economy benefit from their unique talents and perspectives.

If you believe in the importance of equitable employment and the value of vocational training, join us today by making a donation to VFES to help enhance and expand such life-changing opportunities through the work we do!

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