Welcome! ThinkWork Stories highlights the employment successes of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and the innovative employment support practices that lead to successful, paid jobs. Employees with IDD earn money, form networks, and participate in our communities.
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- What is Intellectual Disability?
- What is Developmental Disability?
- Learn more about promising practices from state agencies
- Learn more about promising practices from employment supports providers
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.
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