Rachel is a young adult who describes herself as a social person who likes to connect to the community. Rachel recently began working at the Institute for Community Inclusion as a disability advocate advisor. She supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to engage with ICI’s projects, and she helps project staff design and distribute materials in plain language. Rachel realized in college that she wanted to become an advocate for people with disabilities, and she believes that her current job is a step toward reaching that goal. Read her story!

Brian is 23 years old, lives near Boston, Massachusetts, and has autism. He has a passion for photography, which he uses to share his perspective with the world via his website, through the eyes of Brian. He also enjoys taking self-designed community trips and hiking in the mountains. Brian is driven, committed to doing what he sets his mind to, and willing to take on new challenges. Over time, Brian has developed a strong interest in working in a school.

Miranda is in her early 20s and describes herself as kind, confident, a hard worker, and multilingual. Her family and service providers describe her as independent and motivated to lead a self-determined life. She has a part-time job working at Marshall’s as a merchandise associate and volunteers at a local senior center and major medical center in the Boston area.

Tracey is a young adult and a full-time student at a state college in Massachusetts, studying criminal justice and sociology. She also is pursuing her passion as a motivational speaker. Tracey uses a variety of supports that help her study, participate in her community, and plan for life after graduation. Tracey chooses her own supports, which currently include a personal care attendant hired by her family and support from her mom and siblings. 

Tatiana is a transition -age youth who lives with her family in the Boston, Massachusetts metro area. She enjoys modeling, theatre, spending time with her family and friends, and being part of her community. Tatiana also volunteers her time in the community and serves as a board member for two nonprofit organizations. Tatiana is willing to learn and take on new challenges with a positive outlook. She currently works at CVS and is also a student at a local community college. Tatiana’s goal is to teach young children.

Frank Hellmer is a 31-year-old man who lives alone in Little Rock, Arkansas. He enjoys playing video games in his spare time. Frank currently works as a data analyst for Centene Corporation where he has accessed a range of natural supports that have enabled his ongoing success. 

• Read Frank's story in an accessible format.        
• Learn more about Frank in this 4 min video. 

Oscar Segal is 27 years old and lives in his own apartment in the Bronx, New York. He grew up with the expectation from his parents that he would work and support himself to the greatest extent possible. For the last seven years, he has worked for the Shake Shack restaurant chain. Read an accessible format of the story here.

Nikolas is 22 years old and works for Amazon at Whole Foods in Providence, Rhode Island as a personal shopper. In this job, he uses an Amazon phone that receives the customers’ orders and payments. Nikolas fulfills the customers’ requests, bags the items and labels the bags in preparation for delivery. He began working in this position before COVID-19 hit, finding the job after participating in a one-year school-to-work program called Project Search.

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.

Izzy is 23 years old and lives with her family in Tampa, Florida. She loves swimming, working out, and baking. An internship at an assisted-living facility and related classes at the University of South Florida's Learning Academy helped her succeed later at her first paid job.